The exhibit pays homage to Tennesseans whose lives and legacies have contributed to the rich and storied history of the Volunteer State.

According to Ronald Westphal, a curator at the museum, the exhibit, Tennesseans: A People’s Legacy, uses artifacts to tell stories about outstanding personalities from the 1700s to the present.

“It is designed to give a sampling of the richness of Tennesseans who have over the centuries made our state what it is today,” he said. “Included among the artifacts is the Ronnie Barrett designed rifle, M82A1, that was used in the desert war, Operation Desert Storm.”

Barrett designed his first .50-caliber rifle back in 1982 in his Murfreesboro garage.

While the rifle was used in Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s, it was officially adopted by the United States Army in 2002 and named the M107.

The rifle was recognized in 2005 as one of the Top 10 Great Inventions for the United States military.

Barrett rifles have also been fielded by more than 50 American allied countries around the world.

“The rifle is joined by artifacts representing many other personalities, including the Medal of Honor given to World War One hero Alvin C. York, the Red Cross cap of Mrs. C.A. Craig, the binoculars of early naturalist Emma Bell Miles, the portrait of John Sevier by Charles Willson Peale, an early postman’s wagon from DeKalb County, and recognition of Sarah Childress Polk, a native of Murfreesboro who became the first lady of both Tennessee and the United States as wife of Governor and U.S. President James K. Polk,” Westphal said.

These and many other important selections will be on view through Jan. 16, 2011 at the State Museum, which is located at 5th and Deaderick streets in downtown Nashville.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and is free to the public.