School groups and repeat visitors attracted by fun, educational exhibits have led attendance figures to blow past expectations for this one-of-a-kind museum located in Union City, Tennessee, a town of 11,000 located a few hours' drive from Memphis, Nashville and St. Louis. Union City resident Robert Kirkland, who built a fortune with a chain of home decor stores and smart investments, has given $85 million from his foundation to build and expand the museum, Rippy said. [...] when the museum opened, nobody could predict whether visitors be willing to drive a couple of hours to the small-town museum, and if Union City had enough hotels and restaurants to accommodate them. With its bright-white exterior and curved facades, Discovery Park sits near Interstate 55, U.S.