Although Christus Gardens closed last year after 49 years of operation, there appears to be a new lease on life for the old building. Plans are now underway to reopen the complex as the Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens. Though not Christus Gardens, the theme and atmosphere seems to be the same as the original. According to a news article, the old wax figures were sold to a Christian television channel, which means the new tableaux of Christ's life should be composed on new figures!The building is so beautiful, and the mid century style and design is too cool to be demolished for condominiums. The recession caused those plans to fall through, and now the building will live on for at least the near future.
Tags: Christus Gardens Gatlinburg
I thought I would do a little "Christmas in June" post today. This picture is from the recently defunct Christus Gardens museum in Gatlinburg Tennessee. The highlight of the museum was the dioramas featuring the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of only a handful of religious wax museums, Christus Gardens seemed to have been the most popular. It opened in 1960, and was a staple of the city for the next forty-eight years. This scene focuses on the birth of Christ, and is very typical of most Nativity scenes.
Three wise men? No, one wise man and two Shepherds.
More shepherds. They kneel before the baby Jesus in his manger.
Mary and Joseph watch over the newborn King.