historic homes to tour in tennessee

Tennessee Antebellum Trail

The Tennessee Antebellum Trail is a 90 mile looped trail of historic antebellum homes in the heart of middle Tennessee. The homes on the Tennessee Antebellum Trail are open daily for tours.

The Trail begins just outside of Nashville and winds through the heart of middle Tennessee, encompassing five communities and eight beautiful antebellum homes and plantations.

• The Hermitage
• Travellers Rest Plantation
• Belle Meade Plantation
• Belmont Mansion
• Carnton Plantation
• Rippavilla Plantation
• James K. Polk Home
• Rattle and Snap Plantation

Spend your days and nights on the Tennessee Antebellum Trail enjoying historical homes, food and shopping. The Tennessee Antebellum Trail is a self-guided tour where you can choose your own itinerary and travel at your leisure.

Antebellum Tennessee

The outcome of the American Revolution wasn’t close to being settled when a group of pioneers crossed the Cumberland River and settled Nashville on Christmas Eve 1770.

The Tennessee Territory of North Carolina was exploding with westward expansion. Counties and townships were taking shape and soon log cabins were being replaced by grander plantation-style homes.

The first half of the nineteenth century saw increased prosperity for Tennessee, and the families who built the eight mansions featured on the Tennessee Antebellum Trail were certainly no exception.

It was a time of chivalry, Southern hospitality and gracious living with elegant furnishings and imported textiles. It was a time of Southern belles and balls.

The Civil War Comes to Tennessee

However, darker days were looming as tensions grew between the North and South. The War of Northern Aggression , as it was often called, was literally fought on the lawns of most of these mansions.

Today, many still bear the scars of those long-ago battles. At Carnton Plantation, 1500 Confederate soldiers rest in the private cemetery – a sober reminder of the thousands who lost their lives during the battles of Franklin and Nashville.

The spirit that led the pioneers to settle Tennessee in the eighteenth century is the same spirit that guided the families of the nineteenth century to persevere.

Tennessee Antebellum Trail Tours

We invite you to come visit the Tennessee plantation homes from yesteryear and make sure you allow yourself ample time to enjoy your trip. The Tennessee Antebellum Trail is a completely self-guided and self-paced tour so you can visit all the homes and sights on the trail at your leisure.

The following sample itineraries are just a guide to help you plan your trip. One of the favorites on the Tennessee Antebellum Trail is the Two Day Tennessee Antebellum Trail Experience , where you tour eight beautiful Antebellum plantation homes while taking a relaxing drive through the beautiful Tennessee countryside.

For history loving Civil War enthusiasts, the Tennessee Antebellum Trail Civil War Tour sample itinerary will help guide you along as you go from plantation to battlefield and from cemetery to monument.

For all the thrill seeking spooky history fans and fanatics, there is a tour made just for you – the one of a kind Tennessee Antebellum Trail Ghost Tour ! Walk The Hermitage mansion and cemetery grounds by lantern. Conduct a paranormal investigation at Rippavilla. Take a candlelit evening cemetery tour in Franklin. If you want ghosts, you can find plenty of them on the Tennessee Antebellum Trail!

THE 10 BEST Tennessee Historical & Heritage Tours

Historical & heritage tours in tennessee.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Literary, Art & Music Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge Admission Ticket

2. Grand Ole Opry House Guided Backstage Tour

3. Nashville Evening Trolley Tour

4. Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting

5. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Admission in Nashville

6. The "Classic" National Park Tour

7. Nashville RCA Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame Ticket Combo

8. Sound Heist in Nashville City Exploration Game

9. Nashville's Hidden Gems Electric Bicycle Sightseeing Tour

10. Explore the City of Nashville Sightseeing Tour by Golf Cart

11. Civil War Tour with Lotz House, Carter House & Carnton Admission from Nashville

12. Ryman Auditorium Self-Guided Tour with Souvenir Photo Onstage

13. Nashville Rolling Jamboree Comedy & Country Music Sing-Along Tour

14. Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour

15. Franklin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with Live Narration

16. Derailed: Trolley Tour and Train Ride in Chattanooga

17. Memphis Discovery Tour

18. Belmont Mansion All Day Admission Ticket in Nashville

19. Historic River Town Ramble

20. Gatlinburg Ghosts of The Smokies Most Haunted Tour

21. Explore Nashville by Bus with Ryman & Country Music Hall of Fame Upgrade Option

22. Downtown Nashville Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

23. Beale Street Guided Walking Tour

24. Premium Downtown Nashville Helicopter Experience

25. Nashville's Historic Electric Bike Tour

26. Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum Admission Ticket in Memphis

27. Jack Daniels Distillery Tour with Souvenir Glass & Lynchburg Stop

28. Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Admission Ticket

29. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour

30. 2-Hour Guided E-Bicycle Sightseeing Tour of Nashville

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7 Outstanding Historic Tennessee Homes

History & Heritage , Magazine Features

These seven historic Tennessee homes delight visitors with stories of the past and of famous inhabitants who once lived within the walls

Some historic Tennessee homes served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate armies. Others became battlefield hospitals during the American Civil War. Others pay tribute to Tennessee’s two presidents of the United States while others reflect Tennessee’s role in our country’s growth. Here are seven historic Tennessee homes that are sure to enhance any itinerary.

1. Mallory-Neely House

Mallory-Neely House

Since 1852, the Mallory-Neely House has been part of Memphis’ “Millionaire’s Row.” The 25-room home is the only historic property in Memphis to retain most of its original furnishings. Stained glass windows from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and hand-painted ceilings and parquet flooring accent the home. The double parlor on the first floor is lavish, while the second floor showcases family photographs and daughter Francis Mallory Morgan’s art and sculpture.

Tours include information about the families who built the house and those who enlarged and furnished the home. Group rates are available. moshmemphis.com/explore/attractions/historic-houses/

2. Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens

Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens

Sitting in the center of the Nashville-Knoxville-Chattanooga triangle, you’ll find McMinnville, Tennessee and Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens. In 1896, Clay Faulkner gave his wife Mary an offer she couldn’t resist. He promised to build her “the grandest mansion in Tennessee” if she’d move to McMinnville, where his woolen mill was located. Mary said yes. The mansion’s history has taken some turns, but for the past 30 years, they’ve been welcoming tour groups with delicious food and fun entertainment.

Interactive shows that make stars of the people are available at lunchtime or dinner.

The original show “Murder at the Mansion” is set in 1897 and involves the visitors as real people. They are at the mansion to celebrate the opening of Clay and Mary Faulkner’s new home, but something goes wrong. In “Ghost at the Mansion” guests become ghosts of previously living people. It promises more laughter than fright. Based on 1863 McMinnville history, “The Honeymoon Ball of General John Hunt Morgan” requires everyone in the audience to assume a role, including Morgan’s 21-year-old bride. falconrest.com

3. Westwood

In Knoxville, the circa 1890 Westwood was like Falcon Rest in which a “wedding promise” was offered from John Edwin Lutz to his wife, Ann Adelia Armstrong Lutz. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Historic Westwood is a rare example of Queen Anne and Richardson Romanesque Age architecture and interiors among historic Tennessee homes.

Visitors can enjoy a complimentary tour led by trained docents. In addition to a sense of the Gilded Age, a highlight of the tour is Adelia’s Studio consisting of one long room with a high ceiling and skylights. Her paintings are part of the collections at the Knoxville Museum of Art, the East Tennessee History Center and the State Museum. hhknoxville.org

4. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

After their marriage, Andrew and Rachel Jackson lived in Nashville and in 1804 purchased the 425-acre farm that would become The Hermitage. Jackson began lucrative businesses at nearby Clover Bottom on the Stones River. It wasn’t long before he left his Superior Court judgeship to focus on The Hermitage and his Clover Bottom enterprises. The original structure consisted of eight rooms, four on each floor. While Jackson was president of the United States in 1831, the mansion went through a major renovation. Four years later, fire heavily damaged the house. The redesign both inside and out is what visitors see today. Many historians view The Hermitage as the best-preserved early U.S. presidential home, making it one of the most popular historic Tennessee homes for visitors.

In the Andrew Jackson Visitor Center is the exhibit “First Hermitage: Worlds Apart, Side by Side,” which tells the remarkable story of the future president. The interactive visitor experience “The Duel – Art of the Southern Gentleman” tells the story and relives the event of Jackson’s duel with Charles Dickinson. Enhancements to the group tours are available, including an audio tour, multimedia tour, private tour guide and presidents tour. thehermitage.com

5. Oaklands Mansion

Oaklands Mansion

Murfreesboro and Oaklands Mansion are just a short drive on I-24 southeast of Nashville. The stunning mansion and charming city are closely tied together. Hardy Murfree purchased the property where Oaklands stands in 1798. Upon his death with no will, the tract was awarded to Murfree’s daughter in 1814. Dr. James Maney and Sally Hardy Murfree Maney moved from North Carolina four years later. Dr. Maney’s main source of income was the buying, selling and trading of land and enslaved individuals. Upon the death of Dr. and Sally Maney, the eldest son Lewis and Rachel Cannon Maney took over the management of Oakland.

From 1954, the house stood vacant and was purchased by the city of Murfreesboro in 1958. Plans were to demolish the house and develop the property but the Oaklands Association convinced the city to allow them to repair and renovate to restore Oaklands Mansion to its previous glory. In 1974, Oaklands was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, in addition to trained docent-led tours visitors should plan to spend time in the gardens and visitors center. oaklandsmansion.org

6. President James K. Polk Home & Museum

Polk Home and Museum

Just 45 miles southwest of Nashville off I-65 is Columbia, Tennessee and the President James K. Polk Home & Museum. The 11th president of the United States made significant contributions to the young nation. He added three states to the Union, began the United States Naval Academy, issued the first postage stamp and commissioned the Washington Monument. From a humble hard-working beginning on the Tennessee frontier, Polk graduated from North Carolina University. He received legal training, served as a Tennessee Senate clerk and established a law practice in Columbia. He was elected to the Tennessee Legislature at 27, married Sarah Childress and was elected to the U.S. Congress at 29, serving 14 years, including two terms as Speaker of the House.

Group rates for 10 or more with advance reservations include tours of the James K. Polk Home and a self-guided tour of the presidential hall, kitchen and gardens. Adjacent to the main house is the 1818 Sisters’ House, where two of Polk’s married sisters lived at different times and now serves as the visitor’s center. The painted brick Main House contains original clothing, paintings, furniture and White House china. Polk Presidential Hall hosts a series of permanent and traveling exhibitions that relate to America during Polk’s lifetime. jameskpolk.com

7. Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation

From its beginning, Nashville’s Belle Meade was a diverse operation. The 250 acres of land purchased by John Harding in 1806 contained a farm and eventually a cotton gin, gristmill and sawmill. By 1820, construction began of a new brick house that Harding began calling Belle Meade. Thoroughbred racing was gaining popularity and always the astute businessman, Harding in 1823 registered his own racing silks with the Nashville Jockey Club. Joining enslaved farm and mill workers, jockeys, trainers and grooms were added to the Belle Meade workforce. The Civil War curtailed racing and breeding in the southern states, but General Harding was able to keep all his horses. Between 1867-1868, Harding’s horses won more purses than any man in the United States. Continuing success occurred until 1893 when a weakening economy put the family deeply in debt.

Like its early diverse enterprises, today’s Belle Meade shows off a variety of group options. Guided tours include both floors of the Greek Revival mansion. The tour shares the history as told through the eyes of the Harding and Jackson families. Groups will enjoy a complimentary wine tasting and a self-guided tour of the eight historic buildings on site. In addition to the regular group tour, groups can expand their experience with a Food & Wine Pairing Tour, Lunch Tour, Culinary Tour or Group Bourbon Tour at Belle Meade. visitbellemeade.com

By Dave Bodle

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The Ultimate Tennessee Road Trip for History Buffs

Tennessee is a veritable wonderland for lovers of history and heritage.

Tennessee is a veritable wonderland for lovers of history and heritage. The region’s rich past lives on in the form of carefully preserved, historic attractions around the state. The best way to experience all these layers of time and culture? A road trip with your family, of course. Depending on where in the state you’ll be starting from, take your pick from the following historic homes, Civil War sites, museums and landmarks. Treat this list like a choose-your-own-adventure guide, piecing together the stops on your ultimate road trip back in time.

Historic Homes

Listen for the lessons in the historic homes across Tennessee. Visit the first capitol of the Southwest Territory of the U.S., west of the Allegheny Mountains and south of the Ohio River - Rocky Mount State Historic Site . Here, you'll see the famous Cobb house and other historic structures, circa late 1700s. Stroll the 40 acres of Rocky Mount to see a blacksmith shop, garden, Cotswold sheep, costumed interpreters and educators and more. The museum is full of 18th and 19th century artifacts and even more historical information on the early days of the State of Tennessee.  Andrew Jackson's Hermitage reveals the fearlessness of the seventh president through tours of the grounds and the home. The Hermitage Museum also houses the award-winning "Born for A Storm" exhibit, which dives deeper into the president's life and politics. The Hermitage has a golf cart to transport visitors needing assistance to the Visitor Center and to the mansion. Free wheelchairs are available and assistance animals, motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are welcome . To learn more about the 11th president, tour the James K. Polk Home and Museum in Columbia . You can discover more about author Alex Haley and his “roots” at his Museum and Interpretive Center in Henning (ADA accessible). Take a tour of country star Loretta Lynn's plantation home and Butcher Holler homeplace at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills . Visit Andrew Johnson’s Homestead in Greeneville for a day that the whole family will enjoy. The Visitor Center, Museum, Memorial Building and restrooms are ADA accessible. Johnson’s Early Home has an elevator for access to the first floor. Service animals are allowed in all areas of the park. Stop by Graceland for a reminder of the ongoing legacy of Elvis in Memphis .

Civil War Sites

The spirits of the battle-wounded permeate battlefields, telling stories of the war that tore the country apart. Overlooking the Battle of Franklin sits Carnton in Franklin , a private home-turned-field hospital providing land for the Confederate cemetery, a witness to the casualties of 14 Confederate generals, and adjacent to Eastern Flank Battlefield Park . Carnton’s Fleming Center and the first floor of the mansion are wheelchair accessible. There are free non-motorized wheelchairs on a first-come, first-serve basis. Certified service animals are welcome. Explore a Civil War era preserved fort at Fort Pillow State Historic Park in Henning . Trace the movements of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga campaigns from the unforgettable vantage of Lookout Mountain at the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park in Chattanooga to better understand these battles.

Enjoy exploring Tennessee’s rich and colorful history at museums where you can uncover pieces of the past. Browse extensive historic collections on display at the family-friendly, ADA accessible Tennessee State Museum  near Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville . Tour the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall to learn the story of his heroism during WWI. The West Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Milan explores the many challenges settlers faced in establishing homes in the new territory. Admission is free and guided tours are available. The museum is ADA accessible. At the Museum of East Tennessee History in Knoxville , you can learn about the events that shaped the region. Did you know the first Medal of Honor was awarded in Chattanooga in the late 1800s? Since then, the city has seen an additional 33  Medals of Honor awarded. Learn about these recipients and more through interactive exhibits, oral histories and stories at the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center . The first floor of the Pink Palace Museum in Memphis is devoted to the natural history of the Mid-South with a variety of interesting exhibits. Discovery Park of America journeys guests through the now-fossilized creatures that roamed the earth, Tennessee's natural history, regional history (you can even experience what the earthquakes of 1811-1812 were like), military history with vehicles kids and adults can explore and more.

Native American History

The fertile land full of animals and sulfur licks ensured Tennessee was a popular hunting ground for Native American tribes. Learn their history when visiting The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore ; Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park near Jackson ; or Red Clay State Historic Park in Cleveland . Wynnewood State Historic Site in Castalian Springs is the largest log structure in Tennessee, at one time a stagecoach inn located at the site of a salt lick and mineral springs. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail runs east to west across the state of Tennessee, carving a tragic story of the removal of Cherokee Indians from their ancestral homelands. The Trail of Tears film has closed captioning and an audio description version. Those Native Americans are honored at Cherokee Removal Memorial Park (ADA Accessible) in Birchwood , which includes a memorial wall, scenic overlook and interpretive visitor center.

Civil Rights History

Tennessee has 12 stops on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail that encompasses more than 100 sites across 15 states. Travel through Memphis , Nashville and Clinton and visit stops that include the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel that has powerful, interactive exhibits that tell the story of slavery, sit-in demonstrations, iconic speeches made by leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and more. See inside Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel, the room where Dr. King stayed the night before he was assassinated. Walk down Beale Street Historic District , a hub for African-American culture and commerce nearly from its beginning . In Nashville , walk the grounds of Fisk University , the first African-American institution to receive accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Visit Griggs Hall at American Baptist College , which educated many participants of the Nashville sit-in movement. In Clinton , Tennessee, learn the story of the Clinton 12 ,  the first African-American students to integrate a public high school in the South.

Women's Suffrage History

Walk in the footsteps of brave women who rallied for their right to vote in 1920 as the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment this year. Tennessee played a pivotal role as it was the 36th state needed to ratify the Amendment. Learn about key Tennessee women like Ann Dallas Dudley , Sue Shelton White, Abby Crawford Milton and women who've been leaders in their industries like Clarksville native Pat Head Summitt, the winningest basketball coach in history, Food Network star and Nashville chef Maneet Chauhan or Dolly Parton , multi-award-winning artist, world icon, and philanthropist whose hometown is Sevierville . 

Pioneer History

Visit Tennessee's oldest town, Jonesborough , established in 1779, 17 years before Tennessee was granted statehood. Main Street is well-preserved and takes you through the town where Daniel Boone, David Crockett, John Sevier, Andrew Jackson and others stood. As America's first frontier, Northeast Tennessee and Johnson City are part of the origin story for Tennessee state history. Learn about the pre-Civil War site, Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site and the Battle of the Lost State of Franklin, which was significant for Tennessee and U.S. history. Walk around the site to see historic buildings, a limestone cave and natural spring, visitor center and the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly cemetery. The stories come alive when you take a guided historic walking tour with one of the Heritage Alliance's knowledgeable tour guides, dressed in 1900s-style clothing. In Clinton , you'll find the Museum of Appalachia , a pioneer mountain farm-village that tells the stories of Southern Appalachia with more than 250,000 artifacts in 3 buildings, 35 log cabins, farm animals, churches, schools, gardens and more. See how early Tennesseans lived at Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement . Take a self-guided tour of 16 restored log homes and outbuildings with artifacts that illustrate rural life before and after the Civil War. 

Battlefields

The Blues and Grays faced each other across fields smoky with gunpowder and cannon blasts. Places where you can discover more about the battles include Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro ; Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh , where cannons blast at the re-enactment every April; Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Dover near the Surrender House ; Hartsville Battlefield in Hartsville ; and Parkers Crossroads Civil War Battlefield in Parkers Crossroads .

Tennessee is filled with history from all time periods. Dive deep into the past at historic sites across the state. Explore more history in Tennessee .

Places in this article

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage: Home of the People's President

President James K. Polk Home & Museum

Tour the home of the 11th U.S. President James K. Polk

Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center

The Alex Haley House Museum has been restored to model the home as it was when Haley was born.

Loretta Lynn's Ranch - Event Venue, Campground, Tourist Destination

Canoeing, tubing, camping, live music, hiking, biking

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

Andrew Johnson served as our Nation's 17th President, tasked with restoring the Nation after the American Civil War. Visit the places that shaped him on his path to the Presidency.

Elvis Presley’s Graceland

Home of the King of Rock ‘n' Roll!

Learn How the Civil War Redefined America

Fort Pillow State Historic Park

Located on the western edge of Tennessee, approximately 40 miles north of Memphis, Fort Pillow State Historic Park is rich in historic and archaeological significance. Steep bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River made this area a strategic location duri

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park

Stones River National Battlefield

Explore history and nature in the heart of Tennessee!

Shiloh National Military Park

One of the best preserved Civil War Battlefields in the Nation!

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

The site of the first decisive Union victory of the Civil War.

Parkers Crossroads Battlefield

Seven marked sites can be visited on a self-guided driving tour

Tennessee State Museum

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Alvin York is one of the most celebrated soldiers in American history. He joined the pacifist Church of Christ in Christian Union in 1914, and when drafted for service in World War I in 1917, he applied for conscientious objector status, but was denied. O

West Tennessee Agricultural Museum

Journey through time and rich cultural heritage of agriculture and agrarian life.

Museum of East Tennessee History

Find your story at the Museum of East Tennessee History!

MoSH - Memphis Museum of Science & History

Come explore a world of history, science and nature at MoSH.

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum

Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park

Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park covers more than 1,200 acres and contains at least 15 Native American mounds. In addition to Pinson Mound the group includes Ozier Mound, the Twin Mounds and Mound 31. Archaeological evidence suggests the mounds wer

Red Clay State Park

Red Clay State Historic Park encompasses 263-acres of narrow valleys formerly used as cotton and pasture land. The park site was the last seat of Cherokee national government before the 1838 enforcement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 by the U.S. milita

Wynnewood State Historic Site

Circa 1830 Castalian Springs Resort

Clinton 12 Statue

Learn Black history and hear the story about Tennessee's most notable desegregation efforts at Green McAdoo Cultural Center.

National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum chronicles the Civil Rights Movement from slavery to present-day human rights movements. 

Fisk University

Griggs Hall at American Baptist College

Beale Street Historic District

The music and entertainment pulse of downtown Memphis, Beale Street at the turn of the 20th century served as a haven for African Americans migrating from small towns.

Museum of Appalachia

The Museum of Appalachia, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a living history museum--a pioneer mountain farm-village that lends voice to the people of Southern Appalachia through the artifacts and stories they left behind.

Historic Collinsville

Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement

Dolly Parton Statue

This tribute to hometown superstar, Dolly Parton is located on the Sevier County Courthouse lawn.

Rocky Mount Museum

Rocky Mount was the home of William Cobb, built between 1770-1772, and takes its place in history as the capital of the Southwest Territory between 1790-1792.

National Medal of Honor Heritage Center

The Heritage Center serves as an engaging storyteller and shares the real-life experiences of Medal of Honor recipients on their infamous day when they demonstrated extraordinary heroism under the most difficult circumstances.

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

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Nashville's Best Historical Homes

TripSavvy / Jackson Vance 

No trip to Nashville would be complete without a visit to one of its many historical homes. From log cabins to castles to plantation mansions, you'll learn a lot about how people lived during earlier times. Architecture buffs will be fascinated by different styles such as Greek Revival, Italianate, and Moorish-Gothic. You can even see the home of a U.S. president: The Hermitage, owned by President Andrew Jackson. The following is a list of some of the best historical homes and mansions that Middle Tennessee has to offer, all within an hour's drive of Nashville.

Belle Meade Plantation

TripSavvy / Jackson Vance

110 Leake Ave. Nashville, TN 37205

Belle Meade Plantation, founded in 1807 by John Harding, started with just one log cabin on 250 acres. In 1845, he commissioned the building of the Greek Revival mansion, which was home to five generations. The grounds now cover 5,400 acres and, in addition to the mansion, ​including a horse farm, dairy, mausoleum, gardens, and carriage house. After the tour, enjoy a free wine tasting, get a bite in the restaurant, and visit the gift shop.

Ambrose House

122 S. 12th St. Nashville, TN 37206

The beautiful Ambrose House is a Victorian charmer with crown molding, brick, copper, warm woods, and 12-foot ceilings. Architect Hugh Cathcart Thompson designed the house and is most famous for designing the historic Ryman Auditorium, which opened as a church in 1892 but in 1943 became the home of country music's Grand Ole Opry radio show.

Athenaeum Rectory

808 Athenaeum St. Columbia, TN 38401

Located in Columbia, Athenaeum Rectory was completed in about 1837 and is known for its Moorish-Gothic architecture. It served as the rectory for the family of Rev. Franklin Gillette Smith, headmaster of a girls' school. After the last member of the Smith family to live there died in the 1970s, the home was donated for use as a museum.

Belmont Mansion

1900 Belmont Blvd. Nashville, TN 37212

The Belmont Mansion, built in Italianate style, was completed in 1853 and served as a temporary headquarters for the Union Army during the Civil War, as well as an all-girls college and seminary. With 19,000 square feet and 36 rooms, the house is Tennessee's largest house museum and one of the most elaborate Southern antebellum homes.

Bowen Plantation House

PapaBear/Getty Images

705 Caldwell Drive Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Also known as the Bowen–Campbell House, the Bowen Plantation House, circa 1787, is located in Goodlettsville at Mansker's Station. The two-story, Federal-style house is the oldest brick house in Middle Tennessee and was the frontier home of Capt. William Bowen, an American Revolutionary War veteran.

Buchanan Log House

2910 Elm Hill Pike Nashville, TN 37214

The Buchanan Log House is a two-story house built in 1807 from chestnut logs and has poplar floors and limestone fireplaces. James Buchanan built the home and lived here with his wife and 16 children. Also nearby are the Addison House, a crafts cabin, and the James Buchanan Cemetery. 

Carter House

1140 Columbia Ave. Franklin, TN 37064

Just a mile and a half from Carnton Plantation, the brick Carter House was built in 1830 and was occupied successively by three generations of the Carter Family. In 1864 during the Civil War, a Union Army general took possession of the house to be used as his headquarters during the bloody Battle of Franklin.

3831 Whites Creek Pike Nashville, TN  37207

Cedarwood is a beautiful antebellum farmhouse built in 1835 that now serves as a wedding venue. The 50-acre estate is in the countryside just eight miles north of downtown Nashville .

Cragfont State Historic Site

200  Cragfont Road Castalian Springs, TN 37031

In 1786, Gen. James Winchester, a veteran of the War of 1812, began work on this log cabin. He named it Cragfont because of its location on a high, rocky bluff with a spring at its base. The home wasn't completed until 1802, and once it was, it was considered one of the grandest homes on the Tennessee frontier. Built in the late Georgian style, the house was built from limestone and poplar, walnut, ash, and cherry woods. It even had a second-floor ballroom.

Croft House at Nashville Zoo

3777 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211

The Croft House, built around 1810 by Col. Michael C. Dunn, is on the Grassmere Historic Farm and Nashville Zoo  property. Originally built in the Federal style, it was converted to Italianate after its renovation following the Civil War. This is when the ornate front and back porches, smokehouse, kitchen, and three-tiered garden were added. This is a working farm with livestock, chicken coop, machine shed, and pastures.

Elm Springs

740 Mooresville Pike Columbia, TN 38401

Elm Springs, located near Columbia, is a two-story, brick house built in 1837 in the Greek Revival style by brothers James and Nathaniel Dick, wealthy cotton merchants from New Orleans. It was later the home of Confederate Lt. Col. Abram M. Looney during the Civil War and was set to be destroyed by fire by Union troops. Fires were started, but Confederate Brig. Gen. Frank C. Armstrong sent troops to put out the flames. The house is currently the headquarters for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens

2645 Faulkner Springs Road McMinnville, TN 37110

Falcon Rest is a 10,000-square foot Victorian mansion in McMinnville built in 1896 by Gorilla Pants manufacturer Clay Faulkner. The brick house features electricity, central heat, and indoor plumbing, causing PBS to liken it to the impressive Biltmore Estate in North Carolina . The house was used as a hospital from the 1940s until 1968. Today it features a Victorian Tea Room and gift shop. 

Carnton Plantation

Pat Canova/Getty Images

1345 Eastern Flank Circle Franklin, TN 37064 615-794-0903

Carnton Plantation was built in 1826 by Randal McGavock, a former mayor of Nashville, and was one of the area's premier farms. In 1864 during the Civil War's Battle of Franklin, the home became a field hospital where hundreds of wounded soldiers were taken. The land near the family's cemetery became the final resting place for 1,500 Confederate soldiers killed during the battle. It's the country's largest privately owned military cemetery.

Gordon House

205 Old Spencer Mill Road Burns, TN 37029

Gordon House, built in 1818, was one of the first brick homes built within a 30-mile radius of Natchez Trace near Williamsport. The Georgian-style structure was built on Chickasaw land and was the main house on a 1,500-acre plantation featuring a trading post and ferry over Duck River. Its owner, Capt. John Gordon served under Confederate Gen. Andrew Jackson and was known to be a fierce Indian fighter. He was also Nashville's first postmaster.

Hundred Oaks Castle

101-, 199 Hundred Oaks Pl Winchester, TN 37398

Tour reservations are required and limited to groups of 20 or more. Directions to the castle are given when reservations are made.

Hundred Oaks Castle, located in Winchester, is one of only 13 remaining historic castles in the United States and is considered one of the world's most romantic. Built as a plantation farmhouse by railroad tycoon Benjamin Decherd in the 1830s, the castle was once home to  Albert Marks, a governor of Tennessee and a relative to Thomas Jefferson. For more than 50 years, it was a monastery. In 1990, a fire thought to be set by an arsonist ripped through the castle. You can tour 30 of the castle's rooms and two of its towers.

Lotz House Museum

1111 Columbia Ave. Franklin, TN 37064

Lotz House Museum, built in 1858 by German carpenter and piano maker Johann Albert Lotz, lies where the 1864 Battle of Franklin took place during the Civil War. The home was a way for Lotz to showcase his beautiful handiwork to attract potential clients.

The house is now a museum of the material culture of Union and Confederate soldiers who fought in the Civil War. It has the largest and most comprehensive collection of War Between the States and Old West artifacts in the Mid-South.

Oaklands Mansion

900 N. Maney Ave. Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Oaklands Mansion, circa 1818, just north of Murfreesboro, was built by Sallie Murfree, daughter of Col. Hardee Murfree, and her husband Dr. Maney. Originally a two-room, brick house, later additions in both Federal and Italianate styles made this one of the most elegant homes in Middle Tennessee. The land served as a cotton and tobacco plantation. Guests included Confederate President Jefferson Davis and First Lady Sarah Childress Polk, wife of President James Polk.

President James K. Polk House & Museum

ProhibitOnions/Flickr/GNU Free Documentation License

301 W. 7th St. Columbia, TN 38401

The James K. Polk House, a brick Federal-style house, was built in 1816 for James K. Polk's father, Samuel, and is the only surviving home of America's eleventh president. James K. Polk lived here with his parents from after his college graduation in 1818 until his marriage to Sarah Childress in 1824. Polk's possessions at the house include furniture, paintings, clothing, and White House china. Before becoming president, Polk was a U.S. Congressman, Speaker of the House, and governor of Tennessee.

Rattle and Snap Plantation

National Park Service photographer/Public Domain

Andrew Jackson Highway (TN 43) Mount Pleasant, TN 38474

Rattle and Snap Plantation, circa 1845, is one of the country's best examples of residential Greek Revival architecture. The property was named Rattle and Snap after William Polk won the land from the North Carolina governor in a game called rattle and snap. The home features beautiful craftsmanship featuring limestone bricks, 10 portico columns, four porches, and 10 Corinthian columns. Talented slave artisans built the house.

Cheekwood Estate

1200 Forrest Park Drive Nashville, TN 37205

Cheekwood is a limestone mansion completed in 1932 by the Cheek Family. The family's fortune came from investments in the Maxwell House coffee brand. The house is a great example of an American Country Place Era Estate. Its 55 acres are now home to a botanical garden and art museum. Popular times to visit are during the spring when more than 100,000 tulips are in bloom and at Christmas when many holiday events are scheduled.

Rippavilla Plantation

5700 Main St. Spring Hill, TN 37174

The two-story brick mansion at Rippavilla Plantation was completed in 1855 by Nathaniel F. Cheairs IV. Every wall in the house is three bricks thick. In 1920, electricity and plumbing were installed and the kitchen and smokehouse were attached to the home.

During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate generals used the mansion as their headquarters, and this is where Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood drew up his plan for the bloody Battle of Franklin in 1864. In 1985, the Saturn car company leased the property. The city of Spring Hill now owns Rippavilla.

Riverwood Mansion

1833 Welcome Lane Nashville, TN 37216

Riverwood Mansion was built by Irish immigrant Alexander Porter, who owned a lot of commercial property in the area. Built in the late 1790s and at 9,200 square feet, this Greek Revival-style house is one of Nashville's oldest and largest. The home has hosted seven U.S. presidents. Today it's a wedding venue.

Rock Castle

139 Rock Castle Lane Hendersonville, TN 37075

Rock Castle is a limestone Federal-style structure on 18 acres next to Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tenn. It was built by Revolutionary War Gen. Daniel Smith in the late 1700s. Smith, a surveyor from Virginia, was a two-time senator and also named the state of Tennessee.

810 S. Water Ave. Gallatin, TN 37066

Rose Mont was established as a 500-acre thoroughbred horse and longhorn cattle farm. Built between 1836 and 1842 by Josephus Conn Guild, the mansion features a blend of Creole and Palladian design. The Creole influence can be seen in its large windows, open-air halls, separate wings, extended roof, and wide porches. The main facade is Italian Palladian design. Its name comes from the property's rose gardens. Today Rose Mont consists of only six remaining acres, is surrounded by a residential neighborhood, and is owned by the city of Gallatin.

Sam Davis Home

1399 Sam Davis Road Smyrna, TN 37167

The Sam Davis Home was built between 1810 and 1820 by the father of Confederate Civil War hero Sam Davis. The two-story house lies on a cotton plantation and is characteristic of a Southern, upper-middle-class family. The home has nine rooms, its original kitchen, a smokehouse, office, and privy. Four slave cabins were relocated to the property to teach about life as a slave on Southern plantations. Located in Smyrna, the house is on 168 acres along the banks of Stewarts Creek.

Smith-Trahern Mansion

101 McClure St. Clarksville, TN 37040

Smith-Trahern Mansion is located north of Nashville in Clarksville where it has overlooked the Cumberland River since 1859. Built by Christopher Smith, a wealthy tobacconist, the house is both a Greek Revival and Italianate design. Highlights include grand hallways, a curved staircase, and a widow's walk on the roof. Slave quarters are the only remaining outbuildings. During World War II, the house served as temporary housing for soldiers. The mansion is rumored to be haunted by one its original owners, Mrs. Smith.

Spring Haven Mansion

1 Spring Haven Court Hendersonville, TN 37075

Spring Haven Mansion is a circa 1825 plantation home that sits on a beautiful three-acre property in Sumner County. It includes a log cabin, smokehouse, springhouse, screened-in porch, patio, and barn. It was built at about the same time as President Andrew Jackson's The Hermitage, and many items in both houses are similar.

Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum

636 Farrell Parkway Nashville, TN 37220

Travellers Rest Plantation, circa 1799, was the former home of Judge John Overton and his family for more than 140 years. The mansion served as the headquarters for Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood just prior to the Battle of Nashville during the Civil War. Today the museum includes exhibits covering the history of the Cumberland Basin area, Native American settlements, the Civil War, and slavery.

Two Rivers Mansion

3130 McGavock Pike Nashville, TN 37214

The stately Italianate Two Rivers Mansion built in 1859 by David McGavock has been restored to reflect the splendor of the 1870s. The 14-acre property also includes a small Federal-style brick home built in 1802. At one time, it was home to livestock, a dairy operation, fox hunting, and a horse-breeding facility. Many of the estate's 50 outbuildings were destroyed by a tornado in 1933. Now owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, you'll also find two schools, a golf course, water park, skate park, and picnic areas here.

The Hermitage

4580 Rachel’s Lane Hermitage, TN 37076

The Hermitage mansion was the home of President Andrew Jackson, who lived here from 1804 until his death in 1845. In 1889, it opened as a museum and has become one of the most visited presidential museums with more than 15 million visitors.

This National Historic Landmark on 1,120 acres was once a cotton plantation that relied entirely on the labor of African slaves. At the time of Jackson's death, he had owned 150 slaves. He is buried on the grounds alongside his wife, Rachel, who died in 1828.

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Hours:      Mon - Sat. 10 am to 3:30 pm   /   Sun. 11 am to 3:30 pm   /    Last admission at 3:30 pm

Stories of the Past - Conversations for the Future

Discover the largest house built in Tennesse e prior to the Civil War. Constructed between 18 50  and 1860, Belmont Mansion was the home of Adelicia and Joseph Acklen.

Visiting here is an opportunity to explore one of the few 1850s era homes still standing in Nashville while learning about the place and the people -- both free and enslaved -- who make this site worth understanding.

A majority of rooms in Belmont Mansion have been meticulously restored,

complete with original and period furniture, artwork and statuary.

Located in the heart of Nashville on the Belmont University Campus

Monday through Saturday

Open at 10 am.

Last guest admitted at 3:30

Doors close at 4:30 pm

Open at 11 am.

Average visit is 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

Located in the middle of the Belmont University campus  behind Freeman Hall. 

From a rough frontier settlement to a grand state capital to the attractive city you see today, the history of Knoxville is a vivid tale of the trials and triumphs of a growing town and a growing nation. It’s a wild and often surprising tale marvelously told by the city’s most historic homes. From log cabins to frame houses to stately stone mansions, these seven Knoxville landmarks invite you into the past to experience the times and events that shaped them and the families who occupied them. Each is a chapter of history unto itself. And yet, together, they exemplify and celebrate the continuing pioneering spirit that created Knoxville and our great nation.

The Historic House Museums of Knoxville is a local partnership between seven historic homes and the Museum of East Tennessee History that offer guided tours throughout the year. You can visit each site individually, or visit all of the sites by purchasing a PastPort in person at one of the following locations: James White’s Fort, Blount Mansion, Marble Springs, Historic Ramsey House, Mabry-Hazen House, Westwood, Museum of East Tennessee History, or Visit Knoxville. In addition, each historic site offers special events throughout the year as well as rental options. For tours in January or February, please contact the sites in advance. Thank you for your interest in Knoxville’s history!

Travellers Rest

Historic house and museum.

The Oldest Historic House Open to the Public in Nashville

Travellers Rest Historic House Museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Overton home and landscape and serving as a gateway for learners of all ages to explore and experience Nashville's historic past. Our primary focus is history education and we serve more than 12,000 children and adult visitors each year. Our programs and events cover approximately 1000 years of history, from Mississippian period pre-contact settlement through the 19th century using the cultural resources of John Overton’s 1799 home.

Understanding each other through open dialogue

We believe as an historic site we have an obligation to provide a space that welcomes and facilitates open dialogue. We are working every day to more accurately tell the storiesof all former residents of Travellers Rest, including native communities who resided on this land prior to 1799, those enslaved here during the 18thand 19th centuries, and property owners and descendants. Learning from our collective history should lead to a better understanding of our present and allow for continued growth as a community, state, and country.

Educational Opportunities

Homeschool programs.

Scout Programs

Summer Camp

History At-Home

Group Tours

Field Trips

Upcoming Events

Spring 2024 Programs

Antique Amusements Homeschool Day

History of travellers rest, the first residents of historic travellers rest.

From as early as 1270-1316 A.D., more than 500 years before John Overton purchased the land which would later be known as Travellers Rest, the area was occupied by Native Americans during what archaeologists call the Mississippian period (circa 1000-1450 A.D.)

Nashville: From Frontier to Home of the U.S. President

The Native Americans who occupied Travellers Rest in the pre-historic Mississippian cultural period, were no longer present when white settlers began occupying Middle Tennessee. John Overton was among the very early residents of the young city.

Slavery at Travellers Rest: A Past Uncovered

Education is a key component of our mission at Travellers Rest Historic House Museum and provides a path to understand the hardships that enslaved persons endured.  Here at Travellers Rest, we strive to respectfully tell the complete story of all the inhabitants of the site.

The American Civil War: “HdQrs: 6 Miles from Nashville On Franklin Pike”

The American Civil War changed nearly everything in the South and deeply impacted the course of American history. Landscapes, farming practices, families, industries, homes, the economy and an entire way of life were radically altered and recovery, for some, would take generations.

Changes in Land & Economy Define the Emerging New South

In the late 19th century, post Reconstruction, the Overton family remained at Travellers Rest and, as did the rest of the Nashville, adapted to a nation entering a new era of industry. The city regained its economic strength and saw significant changes to its neighborhoods, way of life, and industries.

Discovering Nashville Through the Doors of Travellers Rest

Travellers Rest remained a central part of the Overton family and their descendants until 1946 when J.M. Dickinson, Judge Overton’s great-grandson, sold the property to Dr. John Youmans.

Discover Nashville Differently

Help Preserve the Past for the Future

Your tax-deductible contribution today will help preserve and maintain Travellers Rest Historic House Museum as a premier resource for history in Nashville and Middle Tennessee for generations to come.

Mansion Tours

Guided tours of falcon rest mansion bring the faulkner family and the 1890s to life for visitors of all ages., there's something for everyone on this historic mansion tour between nashville and chattanooga, tenn..

• The Victorian mansion called “Tennessee’s Biltmore” by PBS. Mr. Faulkner’s obituary described him as a mechanical genius, so it’s easy to understand why his mansion was equipped with “all the modern conveniences of a model city residence.”
• Museum quality Victorian antiques in every room
• Gardens reflecting the bounty of McMinnville, “the nursery capital of the world”
• A restoration that so revived a near-derelict old building that it won the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Great American Home Award” — an inspiration to visitors who are redoing old homes themselves
• Intriguing accounts of experiences that hint Falcon Rest might be inhabited by a friendly ghost
• Real stories about real people associated with the mansion over the years, from Mr. Faulkner (the “secret soldier” of the Civil War) and his colorful family, through its days as a local hospital and its dedicated restoration

They all add up to the Victorian mansion where history is fun.

PLEASE NOTE: The mansion and gardens are not visible from the road.  They are entirely hidden in the 1890s inside our tall holly hedge.  Enter at the Visitor Center just past the hedge at 85 Bluff Springs Road.  Access to the gardens is restricted to paid tourists, overnight guests, and participants in large events.

• GROUP TOURS
• UPCOMING SHOWS
• PROPERTY MAP

QUESTIONS? Call us at 931-668-4444 or e-mail .

Open wednesday - sunday 9 am to 5 pm..

• Walk-ins welcome Wednesday thru Sunday.
• Gift shop open all day Wed. – Sun., tea room open 11-2, no tour required
• Tours usually start within 15 minutes of guests arrival, and last between 45 minutes to an hour.  We try to start our last tour by 4 pm.
• Closed Monday and Tuesday*, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
•   *If you will only be in town on Monday and Tuesday, call for a tour appointment.  We will be happy to schedule one if a tour guide is available.
• Adults & Teens: $17  | Children 4-12: $9 Plus tax.  No charge for age 3 and under.

Includes guided mansion tour and self-guided gardens tour at your leisure.

• All buildings except the mansion are handicapped accessible. There are three steps to the first floor of the mansion, and 24 very easy ones to the second floor. The buildings are close enough together to make it easy to walk from one to another.  See our property map.
• Please note:  Photographs  are not allowed inside the mansion, but guests are encouraged to stay as long as they like after a tour to take pictures outside and explore the grounds.

Falcon Rest is 1.3 miles north of Hwy. 70S at the end of Faulkner Springs Rd. To enter at the Visitor Center, turn left at the end of Faulkner Springs Rd. onto Bluff Springs Rd., then left onto the driveway just past the mansion. (GPS Address)

No GPS? No problem.  Follow the written directions.

Take Manchester Exit 111 (Hwy. 55) to McMinnville. DO NOT turn and go to the McMinnville business district. Instead, keep going straight and follow Hwy. 70S signs toward Sparta. Turn left onto Faulkner Springs Rd. at the FIFTH traffic light (the one AFTER Korner Market).

Simple way Follow directions above from I-24 through Manchester.

Closest way Take I-24 exit 81B to Murfreesboro. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Rutherford Blvd. After you pass Wal-Mart, turn right again onto Mercury Blvd., which is Hwy. 70S. Go through Woodbury and into McMinnville. Instead of crossing Hwy. 70S toward the downtown McMinnville business district, take the exit toward Sparta. Turn left onto Faulkner Springs Rd. at the FIFTH traffic light (the one AFTER Korner Market).

Closest way Choose the scenic route across the gorgeous Sequatchie Valley (just beware of deer at dusk!)

Take Hwy. 27 across the Tennessee River at the Aquarium, then Hwy. 111 past Dunlap.

Approximately 10+ miles past the Dunlap turnoff, turn left onto Hwy. 8.

Turn right when Hwy. 8 meets Hwy. 56 on the outskirts of McMinnville, enter downtown on Main Street, take the first right onto Sparta St., first left onto Morford St., and first right onto Spring St.

Go straight across the Hwy. 70S Bypass, where Spring St. becomes Faulkner Springs Rd. (Call for directions with less turns if you’ll be in a motorcoach!)

From I-40 West (from Nashville), take Exit 273 south onto Hwy. 56 through Smithville into McMinnville. Turn left onto the Hwy. 70S Bypass, then left again at the second traffic light onto Faulkner Springs Rd.

Closest way Go west on I-40 to Crossville Exit 317. Turn left at the end of the ramp; go about 1-1/2 miles and turn right at the traffic light by Walgreens. Stay on this road (Hwy. 70) just through Sparta, then turn left onto Hwy. 111.

A couple of miles south of Sparta, take fork toward McMinnville on Hwy. 70S. Stay on the four-lane Hwy. 70S Bypass in McMinnville, and turn right at the fourth traffic light onto Faulkner Springs Rd.

Simple way If you’d prefer to stay on 4-lane roads all the way from Knoxville, take I-40 west to Cookeville. Exit onto Hwy. 111 toward Sparta. Follow directions above from Sparta.

Exit the park at the south entrance onto Hwy. 284. For the quickest route, go straight across Hwy. 111 instead of turning north to Spencer. Hwy. 284 curves north and meets Hwy. 30 west of Spencer.

Turn left onto Hwy. 30. Go to the end of Hwy. 30, and turn left where it “y’s” into Hwy. 70S.

Go to the fourth traffic light; turn right onto Faulkner Springs Rd.

Go through Fayetteville, Tullahoma and Manchester, Tenn. Don’t turn onto I-24. Instead, go straight across the Interstate and follow the directions above from I-24 Exit 111 in Manchester.

“This was the best tour I have ever taken. If you have never been here, give it a try. Its beautiful inside and out. Read the history of the place — very interesting.  I give it 5 stars. Gift shop and tea room very nice.”‘

Patricia — walk-in tourist

Lunch in the Tea Room

Enjoy a delicious lunch in our Victorian Tea Room Wednesday thru Sunday, 11-2.

Browse the Gift Shop

Allow some time to shop for 1800s treasures. The Victorian Gift Shop has around 3,000 items you won't find anywhere else.

Relax in the Gardens

After the guided mansion tour, linger at your leisure in Falcon Rest's gardens. Access to the gardens is included in tour admission.

Explore the Local Area

Check out lots more fun things to do in the McMinnville area and Middle Tennessee.

Give a Gift Certificate to tour, shop, dine or stay on the grounds.

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the fun at Falcon Rest Mansion.

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The Knoxville

A guide to the historic house museums of knoxville.

In and around Knoxville is an array of photogenic historic homes, houses noted for their age, architecture, and stories of the people who lived there. No two are very much alike. Some have been known and respected as house museums for almost a century, while another is a relatively recent addition. As it happens, few of them are in the same neighborhood, and several are out of the way, and require cars and good directions. But they’re all worth seeing.

Here’s our guide to Knoxville’s Historic House Museums .

Blount Mansion 200 West Hill Avenue (Downtown)

The city’s only certified National Historic Landmark is right in downtown Knoxville. Believed to have been built in 1792, the home of territorial Gov. William Blount has stood on Hill Avenue since before Tennessee was a state. It has an old and credible claim to be the first frame house ever built west of the Appalachians. According to legend, this house with real glass windows, an oddity in this community of log cabins, owes its style to the refined tastes of Mary Grainger Blount, the governor’s wife; the Cherokee are reputed to have dubbed it “the house with many eyes.” The word “Mansion” may surprise first-time visitors. Although it’s dignified, even elegant in style, it’s not a big house, but the word “mansion” became associated with it during the era of its preservation in the early 20 th  century, probably to emphasize its role as the home of a governor. Already a Revolutionary War veteran and an official signer of the U.S. Constitution, Blount served as chief executive of the U.S. Southwest Territory, representing the George Washington administration on the frontier. He played a leading role in the creation of the state of Tennessee, but he was a complicated man in complicated times. Months after he was chosen one of the state’s first U.S. senators, enemies exposed his complicated plan to make Spanish Louisiana a British territory, resulting in his ejection from the U.S. Senate. Though still under suspicion, Blount regained some stature in his community when he was elected to the state senate. He died here in 1800; Mary, the only woman ever to be honored with the name of a Tennessee county—Grainger County—died two years later.  They’re buried two blocks north, at First Presbyterian’s churchyard.

Later the same house was the home of a family of Knoxville leaders, notably Mayor Samuel Beckett Boyd, and still later still it was the childhood home of prolific photographer James Thompson. Neglected for a time and almost demolished for a hotel parking lot, the house was the subject of a vigorous effort led by women in 1925 to save it as a historic site. For almost a century, it has served Knoxville as a locale for tours, lectures, parties, and other special events. The grounds, which comprise an interpretive center for lectures and gardens, also include Blount’s personal office, in a separate building, which is believed to be where Tennessee’s first constitution was drafted, and a recreation of the Blount’s kitchen, equipped as it would have been in the 1790s.

Typical annual events include Statehood Day, Christmas Open House, Days of Dread, and various lectures and other events throughout the year. See  https://blountmansion.org/ or call (865) 525-2375. Tours of the house are $10, with discounts for children and seniors.  

Barely west of UT campus is the historic residential section of Kingston Pike, which is lined with big trees and dozens of historic houses, many of them more than a century old, but the oldest by far is Crescent Bend, completed in 1834. Built for one of Knoxville’s few large-scale planers, Drury Paine Armstrong (1799-1856), who was also a civic leader and early supporter of the university. He and his wife Ann Amelia Houston lived here with their family, who resided in the house for more than 60 years. During the unsuccessful Confederate siege of Knoxville in 1863, it was occupied for several days by Confederate Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw, probably the closest military headquarters to Union lines.

With other owners, the house went through several changes. Around the turn of the century, an owner tried to make it a Victorian-style house, with porches and a corner turret. In the 1920s, a later owner reversed those changes to return it to the federal style known to the Armstrongs. It has been a museum house and event space since 1976.

Perhaps Knoxville’s most elegant museum home, Crescent Bend displays a collection of antique English silver, some of it dating to the 1600s, and is known for its storied Jacksonian-era wallpaper in one room, and its terraced gardens cascading down to the river.

Crescent Bend is currently open only on Friday from 10 to 4, and Saturday from 10 to 1. See  http://www.crescentbend.com/ or call 865-637-3163.

"Knoxville's First Home" is a restoration of James White's twice-moved log cabin, within an educated reconstruction of a 1780s-style fort like the one established in 1786 by North Carolina-born Revolutionary War veteran and pioneer James White (1747-1821), who has long been regarded as Knoxville’s founder, the first permanent settler in what we know as downtown. This reconstruction, an evocation of 1780s frontier life completed for visitors in 1970, is arguably historic in itself, more than half a century old and the site of hundreds of memorable events.

The original James White cabin, fort, and mill was about 1,500 feet to the northwest, near what’s now First Presbyterian Church, which White helped establish. His original cabin, almost forgotten as such, was incorporated into other structures before 1906, when a preservationist recognizing its value moved it to a suburban neighborhood on Woodlawn Pike in South Knoxville. There it stood for almost 60 years, as a rather unusual-looking residence, until a movement in the late 1950s to revive White’s heritage prompted an effort to move the original timbers remaining in the South Knoxville home to be reassembled as part of the James White Fort project. That cabin stands on the south side of the fort. The compound contains furniture and personal items, some of which are known to have belonged to White himself.

Special events are held throughout the year including Knoxville Homecoming, Junior Docent Day, Statehood Day, HearthScares Ghost Tours of Downtown Knoxville, Annual Halloween Bash, and Christmas Open House.

Open Mon.-Sat., 9:30-5:00 (reduced hours in winter) Guided tours are $10, with discounts for children and seniors.  See https://www.jameswhitesfort.org/ or call (865) 525-6514.

Mabry Hazen House 1711 Dandridge Avenue (about one mile east of downtown)

This graceful wooden house—built in the late 1850s, it’s barely antebellum, with an Italianate design—is appealing on its own, on a hilltop long famous for its views, has become more famous for its dramatic stories, both scandalous and tragic. Original builder Joseph Mabry, the impetuous businessman who in 1854 led the creation of downtown’s Market Square, was known to go armed, and was known to have shot at least one man, a prominent politician, long before his role in East Tennessee’s most infamous gunfight. In 1881, one of his sons who had lived in this house was killed in a saloon gunfight, and some historians believe that was a factor in the still-unknown motive for that happened on Oct. 19, 1882, when Mabry and another son both died in another gunfight with banker Thomas O’Conner in front of the Mechanic’s Bank on Gay Street. O’Conner was also killed, and this extraordinary triple fatal shooting in which all three combatants were killed elicited national headlines, and the attention of Mark Twain, who commented on it in his book, Life on the Mississippi .

It was not the last time residents of this house received unwanted national publicity. Almost 50 years later, Mabry’s granddaughter, Evelyn Hazen, was the plaintiff in a sexually lurid breach-of-promise lawsuit that, not unlike her forebear’s exploits, earned national headlines. The eccentric former teacher lived here, mostly alone, for the rest of her life, and after her death in 1987, her will established the family home as a museum, with a broad lawn that is often a site for parties and weddings. The house’s interior is especially well-preserved, with beautiful marble mantels and much of the Mabrys’ original furniture. Hosts are not shy about telling the full stories of the people who lived there.

Typical annual events include Statehood Day, Stories of Emancipation Tours, Fourth of July on Mabry’s Hill, Victorian Seances, Christmas Open House, and several Night at the Museum events throughout the year.

See  mabryhazen.com , or call (865) 522-8661. Tours of the house are $10, with discounts for children and seniors.  

Marble Springs 1220 West Governor John Sevier Highway (about six miles south of downtown)

Wholly different from all the other Historic House Museums, Marble Springs is the old John Sevier homeplace, a rustic farm site with a collection of historic log cabins including a small tavern and a smokehouse. The property, once comprising hundreds of acres, was the last home of the Virginia-born pioneer and Revolutionary War leader who became the first governor of Tennessee in 1796. Never a homebody, the 70-year-old Sevier was a U.S. congressman on a surveying expedition in the pre-Alabama wilderness in 1815 when he died. Though many details of his personal life are speculative, he made a gesture toward building a house in downtown Knoxville when the town was the state’s capital, but is known to have kept a home here off and on from about 1790 until his death, and most of these cabins are very old, arranged to suggest several aspects of Sevier’s era, including a stout cabin on the site long believed to be Sevier’s own home, and the subject of much interest at the time of its discovery and restoration by a state campaign in 1941, has since been determined to have been built later, probably about 20 years after Sevier’s death. However, that 1835 date in itself makes it one of the area’s oldest intact log cabins on its original site. The site is valuable partly as a quiet place in the woods—the 34-acre site, a clearing by a brook, is a certified wildlife habitat, closed in by woods—and as a picturesque recreation of pioneer life.

Typical annual events include Statehood Day, Easter Egg Hunt, and night sky watching. Marble Springs is open Wed.-Sat., 10-5, and Sunday 12-5. Self-directed tours are free, but guided tours are $10 for adults, with discounts for students and children. See  marblesprings.net , or call (865) 573-5508.

Ramsey House 2640 Thorngrove Pike (East Knox County, almost seven miles east of downtown)

Ramsey House, on a rural site of more than 100 acres sometimes known as Swan Pond, dates to 1797, making it one of the oldest houses of any kind in the Knoxville area, but it’s especially historic for its rare construction. Designed by English-born and trained architect Thomas Hope, it’s believed to be the first structure ever built of Tennessee marble, which later became famous for its use on public buildings across America. It was originally the home of Pennsylvania-born Francis Alexander Ramsey, a prominent civic leader of early Knoxville, and of his high-achieving sons, notably J.G.M. Ramsey, a physician and author who became one of Tennessee’s first state historians, and William B.A. Ramsey, who was elected mayor of Knoxville, and later served in several statewide offices. The out-of-the-way house was half-forgotten and obscure to most Knoxvillians until the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a plaque on it in 1927; the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities purchased it in 1952, and began celebrating it with events and exhibitions. Its furniture is from the Ramsey period, including Chippendale chairs that belonged to the family.

In recent years, hundreds of people have come to know the Ramsey House grounds as a vintage “Base Ball” field, where historians and lovers of extreme sports join together to play 1860s-style, no-gloves “base ball” (it was two words back then). Today, local teams of the Tennessee Vintage Base Ball Association (Emmett Machinists and the Holstons) face off against visiting teams playing the game as it was played then.

Other typical annual events include various Appalachian craft workshops, the Annual Ancient Sounds Festival of Celtic and Appalachian Music, and the Christmas Marketplace. Attending base ball games is free. Tours of the house are $10, with discounts for children and seniors. See  ramseyhouse.org , or call (865) 546-0745.

Historic Westwood 3425 Kingston Pike (about 2.5 miles west of downtown)

Some historic homes are typical for their era in architecture, but a few were extraordinary even in their day. Westwood is the “newest” of Knoxville’s homes, and when it was completed in 1890, newspaper stories described the elaborate high-Victorian house and especially its most unusual feature—the largest room in the house was the personal studio of an artist, Adelia Armstrong Lutz (1859-1931). The granddaughter of Drury Paine Armstrong, of Crescent Bend, she was unlike most society heiresses in that before her marriage she made a name for herself in art, studying at the Corcoran in D.C., and in Paris during the impressionist era, to impress crowds at several American exhibitions. Her new husband, insurance executive John Edwin Lutz, was eager to encourage her artistic side, and though she bore two children and raised them here, she also kept painting, and occasionally showing her work, though her subjects were often domestic, portraits of her children and of flowers in her yard, especially the hollyhocks for which she became known. The house, designed in the extravagant Richardsonian style by Bauman Brothers, was a model home in its time, and still eye-catching from Kingston Pike. The serpentine wall in front was added in the 1920s, when the pike, once a quiet country road, was becoming a noisy automobile thoroughfare. Adelia’s descendants occupied the house until the early 21 st  century, when it was restored by the charitable Aslan Foundation. It’s unique among Knoxville’s Historic House Museums in that it’s a daily workplace as the headquarters of Knox Heritage, the large and influential regional preservationist nonprofit, which holds occasional events here. Knoxville’s newest historic home, it has been open to tours only since 2014.

Westwood is open to the public, with hourly tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-4, and Saturdays 10-2. Tours are $10 per person. See  https://knoxheritage.org/westwood/ or call (865) 523-8008.

Jack is the Executive Director of the Knoxville History Project , an educational nonprofit whose mission is to research and promote the history of Knoxville. He is a journalist who has been writing about his hometown’s character and heritage for many years. He has written several books about Knoxville and its history, and they can be purchased in various places throughout the city including Union Avenue Books and the Visit Knoxville Gift Shop .

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Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.

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One of the most endearing, pressing artifacts of the south happen to be quite livable – to an extent. Tennessee has preserved a number of plantation homes, boasting gorgeous architecture and dark, dark secrets. Chances are there’s one not too far from you – take a look!

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A Chronological Tour of Knoxville’s Seven Historic Homes

In Cover Stories by Thomas Fraser September 28, 2016 leave a COMMENT

H istory, like water, is all around—it’s found in seeps, springs, wells, and rivers.

And then there are fountainheads, like the seven Historic Homes of Knoxville .

I visited them all, in chronological order of their origin, and you should, too. Because as my father (a Southern historian not too keen on eliminating even the most unsavory aspects of our past) likes to quote: We need to know our history or we are doomed to repeat it.

But it’s not all bad. A lot of history features parts both beautiful and poignant, as these seven old homes prove in their own way.

So I set out in search of these local fountainheads, moving across three centuries, beginning with breakfast not far from the Civil War-era Fort Dickerson, another local historic attraction. There was no hardtack on the Shoney’s buffet, but there was plenty of pig, and I loaded up before setting off for another, older fort across the river.

jaMes White’s FoRt, 1786

205 Hill Ave., 865-525-6514 jameswhitefort.org Claim to fame: Original, relocated house of Knoxville founder James White. Thought to be the first permanent home built in Knoxville.

The twice-dismantled main house at James White’s Fort includes a large stone hearth flanked by replicas of long guns and powder horns.

Curator Robert McGinnis doesn’t think members of our soft American society of today would fare too well in the harsh conditions of the frontier. But he likes to remind the fort’s roughly 9,000 annual visitors what it was like, how “the things we did they might find unsavory.”

Contemporaries of James White—who built the first cabin in 1786 on what might be called the site of Knoxville’s nativity—didn’t bathe much and lived in relative squalor. They procured their own meat. Dozens of families were sequestered behind the fences of the crude fort, living among livestock on packed summer dirt and frozen winter mud. Fires burned even in the heat of summer, and there was always the threat of attack from the increasingly displaced Native American population. There was illness. There was privation.

But today a visitor to the site, which includes a main house, a kitchen, and a smokehouse, can get a taste of frontier life in a place that serves as a quiet downtown oasis of sorts off Hill Avenue.

The fort is not in its original location, and only the main house is original. In 1906, Isaiah Ford painstakingly dismantled the main cabin and rebuilt it on Woodlawn Pike. The city Association of Women’s Clubs established the James White Fort Association in 1956, determined to resurrect the fort downtown. By 1970, the main house was reconstructed, and copies of the outbuildings and palisades were in place, and it was opened to the public.

Today within the palisades, it’s unexpectedly peaceful in the summer heat, save the intrusion of urban noises that, oddly, included a steam whistle from a river boat down the way. I sit for a minute in the shade by an old millstone in the midst of chirping birds and buzzing bees. There are no other visitors.

I amble into the main house, which is pleasantly cool. The ancient boards creak underfoot in dim light, and its easy to imagine the smell of woodsmoke and sweat as deals and arguments and schemes were hashed out in clouds of tobacco smoke around a wooden table and in the rocking chairs that now sit empty. It must have been loud at times, but there is a certain comfortable snugness about the space.

There are replicas of long guns and pistols, and upstairs beyond the creaky stairs a chamber pot resides under a comfortable-looking bed covered with colorful quilts. True to its Knoxville form, a Colonial-style wig sits on a stand by a window that looks out on the green compound below. It is dim and quiet and cool and peaceful.

Downstairs and back outside, I walk by the dog trot festooned with dried beans and gourds. A lizard skitters by the door to the weaving house, which features an impressive collection of native arrowheads and a primer of the Cherokee alphabet that could serve as a learning resource for curious children who then could ride their imaginations back in time.

Blount Mansion, 1792

200 W. Hill Ave., 865-525-2375 blountmansion.org Claim to fame : Home of William Blount, a signer of the Constitution and territorial governor. Much of the Tennessee Constitution was written here.

The family dining room at Blount Mansion—and its dining table set with replicas of period flatware and dishes—is overseen by a reverse glass painting of George Washington .

I navigate lunchtime traffic and find a rarity downtown: An empty parking lot. It’s behind Blount Mansion, also on Hill Avenue. The green trusses of Gay Street Bridge frame Calhoun’s and the Tennessee River beyond. You can see the steamboat landing by the river—once called the Holston—that gave the old city its life-force.

I check Yelp reviews for no particular reason, and one reviewer cautions against big expectations, noting “I’ve seen bigger mansions on MTV Cribs .” But the old manse, built by Gov. William Blount, is indeed a mansion when judged against James White Fort. The glass and steel of downtown—tempered by the brick of the Andrew Johnson Building—tower above the visitor center.

But lots of history is available here—a surprising amount, “for a house as old it is,” says director David Hearnes. University of Tennessee researchers are doing dendrochronology studies on the home that so far have revealed no historic surprises. The house is as old as suspected. Hearnes and assistant director Emily Ellis greet me personably and are happy to share the story of the framed home said by some to the first non-log house in Tennessee.

A register lists visitors from Britain, Argentina, and Hawaii; about 3,000 people come to the site each year, Hearnes says, and most have favorable impressions of Knoxville. Some are surprised by the vitality and sophistication of downtown, “though they think we can all do more with the river.”

Inside the old, relatively roomy house you get lost among the crafted lumber and the beautiful simplicity of hardwood floors surprisingly well-illuminated by the natural light that pours through a window flanked by a Thomas Hope desk that is Ellis’ favorite piece.

Another favorite item among the collection: An old straw doll with a porcelain head found in a wall by workers doing renovations in 2013-2014 in the west wing added by Willie Blount before 1820. The ragged, ancient doll lies askew like an old totem in its own crib. “It’s creepy-looking but cool at the same time because it did come out of the walls,” Ellis says.

There’s a kitchen that was rebuilt on its original foundation, and there is a hand-carved cookie press among the artifacts. By the standards of the day, “even the cookies were fancy,” Ellis says.

Four slaves lived in the room: Sal, Cupid, and their two children. There in the darkened, now-lifeless kitchen you can imagine them bustling about, preparing food in the huge, soot-darkened cooking fireplace.

Most of the produce and meat consumed in the home came from farmland outside the city, but a nice ornamental garden, which includes giant vitex maintained by the Knoxville Garden Club, offers another respite from urban hubbub.

Groundskeeper John Gammon walks past the parched kitchen garden at Marble Springs, the last home of Gov. John Sevier.

maRBle SPRings, 1797

1220 W. Gov. John Sevier Highway marblesprings.net Claim to fame : Final home of Gov. John Sevier, first and six-term governor of Tennessee and governor of the short-lived state of Franklin.

Groundskeeper John Gammon demonstrates textile production to members of Boy Scout Troop 129 of Oak Ridge.

The kitchen garden at Marble Springs has given up the ghost, like a lot of things this long, hot, and dry summer. But we can always pop down to the grocery store for produce grown 1,000 miles away.

There was no such luxury in John Sevier’s day: if the three sisters failed, it was forage or die to replace the corn, beans, and squash, and augment the diet with hunted game. There really was no practical irrigation system, despite the presence of the namesake springs, explains groundskeeper John Gammon. During even minor droughts, the residents of what is now a 33.5-acre collection of outbuildings, fields and woods simply weren’t going to have enough to eat. The wide-open nature of the site makes it easy to envision men tramping about with their kill in their buckskin as fires burned in rings throughout the residential areas, and children ran about playing their ancient games of the day.

“That was part of their experience,” Gammon says. He would have planted demonstrations of fall crops by now, but bailed on the proposition. We both unconsciously look up into the late-summer sky above towering tulip poplars prompted by drought into early fall color. There is no sign of rain.

Earlier, I had a sense of déjà vu as Gammon led members of Boy Scout Troop No. 129 of Oak Ridge into the original, primitive cabin that still stands on the property. I had been there as a schoolboy, about a million years ago.

Inside the small, cool cabin, as Gammon lectures on the history of Marble Springs, I am mesmerized by a portrait of an impeccably beautiful woman hanging above the wooden mantelpiece.

She is Catherine Sherrill, Sevier’s second wife. But the image is not that of the hard-scrabble governor’s wife. It is an approximate and stylized portrait done based on descriptions of the woman, and she looks more Flapper than frontier.

The boys’ eyes begin to glaze a bit as Gammon relays the history of Sevier, the first—and six-term—governor of Tennessee. As he moves into the history of the short-lived state of Franklin, the otherwise well-mannered boys begin fidgeting with mess kits—they are camping on the grounds in pursuit of forestry and pioneering badges. That is common at Marble Springs, in a rural part of South Knoxville, as it boasts more woods and fields than cultural relics. Their colorful tents dot a pasture to the right of the main entrance.

The boys undoubtedly are thinking ahead to the planned supper of dutch-oven chicken and dumplings, but they revive a bit at the urging of a scoutmaster as they visit the kitchen cabin. Gammon explains subsistence farming, food preservation—food could kill you back in the day—and shows off a hard block of tea.

Then it’s on to the loom house, a small dim structure that quickly smells of teenage boys on a hot summer day, and Gammon gives a brief history of cotton, silk, and wool textiles.

And they learn the origin of the term “pop goes the weasel,” a common lesson in looming and linguistics also offered at other historic Knoxville houses.

When a set amount of yarn was loomed, a device called a weasel went…POP!

There was neither evidence of a monkey nor cobbler’s bench at Marble Springs.

Ramsey House, 1797

2614 Thorngrove Pike, 865-546-074 5 ramseyhouse.org Claim to fame : Family home of the Ramseys, an influential East Tennessee family with ties to the Confederacy, railroad development, the University of Tennessee, and early public medical care.

A granddaughter of Col. Ramsey played with “colored” dolls after the Civil War; that would have been potentially controversial for the time.

It’s enough—almost—to make a man sympathize with Confederates.

When Yankees torched structures at the Ramsey plantation, some 4,000 books were lost, among them the early annals of Tennessee. That was an assault against human culture and civilization, not just against tiring Rebels.

You’ll learn that and other sad things in a professionally produced—and somewhat melancholy—video shown visitors to the Ramsey House on Thorngrove Pike, sited in a pastoral setting a surprisingly short distance from downtown Knoxville. The 100 acres of land offer another history lesson: It is used for demonstration games by members of the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball.

A long path to the stolid gray Georgian stone and marble house moves beyond a colorfully painted outbuilding that is often used by brides and grooms and their wedding parties ahead of the nuptials often offered on the site. The home, like the other historic houses of Knoxville, offers a sense of enduring peace and quiet despite its tragic past. At the height of the Ramsey plantation, 35 people lived in the house and outbuildings. All is quiet now: A crow caws by the side of a pasture as we move into the dwelling, well-appointed and polished compared to its forebears.

As we move ahead in history, the lineage of the historic homes and their owners gets more complicated to trace, but here’s a brief rundown of the house and plantation, according to Knox Heritage: The main house was built in 1797 for Col. Francis Alexander Ramsey near where the Holston and French Broad rivers merge to form the Tennessee. Ramsey, a founder of Blount College, which ultimately became the University of Tennessee, beget three children: Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey, the oldest son, was an official with the Confederacy and a railroad man; middle son, William Ramsey, was a cabinet secretary for Tennessee and Knoxville’s first elected mayor; Francis Ramsey, the youngest of the brothers, opened the city’s first public hospital and was a surgeon for the Confederate army.

As I reflect on the sad truths of the family—Col. Ramsey himself died of a mosquito-borne illness likely contracted from a city creek, and the family was left destitute after the Civil War on a ruined plantation replete with “memories too difficult to bear”—a tiny dog sniffs my shoe.

It’s Ellie, a retired “chiweeniedoodle” therapy dog who accompanies most tours taken by the roughly 8,000 annual visitors. She’s important enough to the Ramsey House that assistant director Linda Gincott spells her name for me.

Gincott points out a number of fascinating things that survived war and time in the stone house: the 219-year-old banister; a secretary with hidden compartments that holds 200-year-old books; and a sampler by a Ramsey granddaughter, Eliza Jane, said to be the oldest sampler in Tennessee.

The sampler is a portrait of grief—it lists all the Ramsey children, one of whom is said to haunt the house, who died well before their time.

The house still holds trappings of the wealth of the day: There is a tea set, impeccably carved chairs, a pewter mold and small sewing kit, and a fire screen to shield the faces of the ladies. But as late-afternoon light slants through a window and Ellie moves into the sunlight splashed on the sturdy hardwood floor, Gincott offers a reminder of the hardscrabble nature of the day: There are thick shutters that can be closed on quick notice against attacks by Native Americans, criminals, or determined wildlife.

The Armstrong-Lockett House at Crescent Bend is home to the Toms Collection of 18th-century furniture.

Crescent Bend, 1834

2728 Kingston Pike, 865-637-3163 crescentbend.com Claim to fame : Original 900-acre farm was site of Civil War skirmishes and the mortal wounding of federal Brig. Gen. William P. Sanders; features Italianate gardens with views of the Tennessee River, valuable wallpaper, and the Toms Foundation collection of 18th century furniture.

In a slightly jarring modern touch, I ring the doorbell at the Armstrong-Lockett house at Crescent Bend on Kingston Pike. Sprinklers chitter on the front lawn, holding at bay the heat and drought that became a threaded theme on my tours of the seven homes.

I’m met by event coordinator Judy McMillan with the same mix of gratitude and graciousness common among the hosts at all the homes. She’s preparing for an advance meeting with wedding planners. The use of this and other historic homes as wedding venues augments their coffers. And a fine betrothal site this is: manicured and terraced Italianate gardens sweep beneath a fine vista down to the banks of the Tennessee at what was once a natural crescent. Twenty-thousand tulips bloom in spring. Two personal watercraft whine by below.

But at its roots, Crescent Bend was a 900-acre working farm, and Armstrong-Lockett was one of the first homes built on Kingston Pike. Now just down from the university, “this was the country,” in 1834, McMillan says.

And that’s why Drury Paine Armstrong built the house, now ironically located in a valley prone to air pollution. His wife had “consumption,” now known as tuberculosis, and needed fresh country air. The master bedroom was located downstairs, presumably on behalf of the ailing wife, and visitors immediately find themselves surrounded by finery of several eras. The house nonetheless has a modern feel, perhaps augmented by an addition to accommodate weddings. Light pours in over the view of the river below.

Bleak House, still known in some circles as Confederate Memorial Hall, shares the property.

Rich history has since accumulated at the farm: Gen. William Sanders was killed in battle here during the Civil War, and the site subsequently became the site of a Rebel artillery battery; and the home contains the William P. Toms collection of 18th century furniture.

A room full of dazzling silver displays behind glass—some pieces date to the 17th century—gives some parts of the home a museum feel, but you can still feel the presence of the families who have called the house home over the decades.

The most notable part of the house, in McMillan’s eyes, is in the dining room, which features what could possibly be the most expensive wallpaper you will ever see.

As McMillan tells it, the ornate French wallpaper, called “The French Garden,” by Pierre Mongin and printed by Jean Zuber—and now valued at $500,000—was purchased by Andrew Jackson in 1832 for use at the Hermitage in Nashville.

A barge toting furnishings and the wallpaper caught fire near Nashville, and the contents of the barge were thrown overboard.

The story gets a bit convoluted, but ultimately the wallpaper was salvaged and papered in Cedar Grove, the circa-1833 home of Col. Joseph Scott that is now home to Stevens Mortuary. Scott recruited the services of a reformed pirate—and wallpaper hanger—named John Stacks. According to the archives of the News Sentinel , Stacks liked the town so much he settled here and became a marshal. The tale is obviously too good to be fiction, and is a good fit for Knoxville, McMillan muses.

“We’ve always been a scruffy little city,” she says.

The McClung Museum salvaged the wallpaper and it has been on loan to the Toms Foundation, which owns the property, since the 1970s. The multi-hued wallpaper features figures costumed in the clothes of the 1830s dispersed among classical statues and architectural components.

“It’s the prettiest thing in the house,” McMillan says, and the wallpaper is assiduously protected from light. She turns off alarms and opens curtains to sunshine to share it with me.

maBRy-HaZen hoUse, 1858

1711 Dandridge Ave., 865-522-8661 mabryhazen.com Claim to fame : Family home of Knoxville booster, businessman, and Confederate sympathizer Joseph Mabry; site of Union artillery batteries during Civil War; 95 percent of furnishings and artifacts original to home.

Mabry Hazen director Calvin Chappelle stands by a wall display featuring various historical aspects of the home

Calvin Chappelle looks the part.

The executive director of the Mabry-Hazen House is a Civil War reenactor.

Chappelle, who has a tangled beard and mussy black hair, is a two-way player. It makes sense: The historic home perched on Knoxville’s highest ridge north of the Tennessee River was held in the hands of both Yankees and Rebels.

“Obviously it was a prime location for both armies during the Civil War,” he says as we take in the view of the center city 320 feet below. Some 5,000 visitors a year share the view near the house, built in 1858 by Joseph Alexander Mabry II.

Mabry, who was a prime player in a deal that established Knoxville’s famous Market Square, was a railroad man, businessman, and ardent Confederate. He pledged $100,000 to the Confederacy, and sold matériel in support of the lost cause. He was also a man who could tell which way the wind blew: When the Yankees came calling in 1863, Chappelle says, Mabry told them: “I’m a notorious rebel but will not stand in your way.” The property served as the eastern anchor of the Union defensive network north of what was then the Holston River. The then-denuded ridge was an excellent artillery site.

Mabry rode out the war, but was on his way to ruin when bad bonds came due in 1873. In the end, his financial straits didn’t matter: He and his son, and their attacker, were killed in a gunfight on Gay Street that was famously recounted—with likely flourishes—by Mark Twain in Life on the Mississippi .

Four generations of the Mabrys occupied the Italianate home—a daughter married a Hazen—and about 95 percent of the present furnishings and decorations belonged to the family. A large and updated family tree blooms on a wall. It is a comfortable home reminiscent of that of a great-aunt or great-grandmother. There is horsehair furniture and a beautiful case clock, and the 1850s windows have salvaged 1840s glass.

Heartbreak, again, serves as a foundation for the historic site:  Laura Churchwell Mabry gave birth to 14 children in her lifetime. Six didn’t live to adulthood.

But modern times are happier times at the Mabry-Hazen House. I caught Chappelle right before two women came to scope the property, not for retrenchments, but for a wedding.

Historic Westwood, 1890

3425 Kingston Pike, 865-523-8008 historicwestwood.org Claim to fame : Built as a “wedding promise” for Adelia Armstrong Lutz, who is thought to be first professional female artist in Tennessee; includes original artwork by Adelia and her studio, illuminated with natural light; now home to the offices of Knox Heritage.

It’s hard not to love Adelia across time and beyond this world.

Who can help but adore a woman who paints hollyhocks on a wall, and adorns stove tiles with the likenesses of great poets and artists?

Historic Westwood, on Kingston Pike near Sequoyah Hills, was built for Adelia Armstrong Lutz as a “wedding promise” by her husband, John Edwin Lutz. It’s easy to roar past the entrance, caught up in speeding traffic, and you have to park in a church next door. But then you walk up to the immaculately preserved Richardsonian Romanesque house across the heart-shaped driveway, and that’s where you begin to fall in love.

The house, now also home to the busy offices of Knox Heritage and the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, is one of Kingston Pike’s “three sisters,” along with Bleak House and Armstrong-Lockett House to the east. It is one of the more affluent and well-appointed historic homes of Knoxville.

Adelia grew up in Bleak House, and moved into Westwood in 1890.

Docent Betty Allen guides me through the formal and informal parlors, past immaculately polished and preserved woodwork and past the family piano and original faded frescoes resurrected on the wall.

And then the studio, brilliant in the natural light pouring into the room through windows and skylights, makes my heart soar.

This is where Adelia, said to be the first professional female artist in the state, painted and labored and imagined and poured her creativity onto canvas. It is a breath-taking room, and adding to its elegant charm is a set of tiles inlaid around a fireplace now adorned with an Egyptian relief.

Adelia painstakingly painted the faces of Shakespeare, Longfellow, Emerson, Browning, Rustin, and Thackeray, among other artistic and literary luminaries. The faces have faded in time, but all except three tiles have been identified.

Across the house, past the dining room where Adelia long ago painted the hollyhocks on the wall, there is another face dear to the site.

Cook and caretaker Sallie Snead worked for Adelia’s daughter, Louise, after Adelia died. She was divorced, childless, and lived in a cabin out back, but she would take Adelia’s grandchildren downtown on the streetcar line , and listen to gospel music and baseball games as she worked in what is the first approximation of a modern kitchen I have seen in the seven homes

The house was never out of the hands of family members—a descendant of Adelia lived there until 2012. Over the years, artists and students and guests would come and go; Adelia loved to entertain in the home where she would eventually die.

It was, Allen says, “a happy house.”

M y 100-year journey complete, I buy a magnet for my mother and think of my father and wonder what kind of legacy I’ll leave. I exit the wedding promise with the sense of melancholy, nostalgia, and intellectual satisfaction that every good history lesson leaves. I get in my truck and head west on the old Kingston Road.

Corrections : It was  Laura Churchwell Mabry  who gave birth to 14 children in her lifetime, not Evelyn Hazen. The story also incorrectly stated that Confederate soldiers are buried on the Mabry Hazen House grounds; they’re actually buried at Knoxville’s Confederate Cemetery, which is  a separate parcel. 

Thomas Fraser

Knox County-based journalist Thomas Fraser is a native of Charleston, S.C. who grew up in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has worked as an editor and reporter for daily newspapers and websites in Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey and Virginia.

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Explore Historic Homes in Middle Tennessee

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of touring historic homes. I take tours on vacation and here in my own city. I’ve taken my children with me on these tours since they were toddlers and now that they are all teens, I can still convince them to explore with me.

I will admit to you that my kids haven’t always been as …enthusiastic about these tours as I am. But they still reference things we have seen and learned at these homes all the time. So maybe your kids won’t be super excited to take a tour with you but, trust me, take them anyway.

It’s one thing to learn about President Andrew Jackson in school. It’s quite another to walk down a staircase where Jackson once walked or see the kitchen where his food was prepared.

If I can’t convince you to tour some of these wonderful homes with your kids, at least consider an adult outing to one or two. Have a day date with your spouse, spend an afternoon touring with your girlfriends or show off some of Middle Tennessee’s history to your out of town guests.

 Historic Homes to Tour in Middle Tennessee

Andrew jackson’s hermitage – hermitage, tn.

The Hermitage ( Map ) is one of Nashville’s most famous historic homes. Tour the home, garden and tomb of our 7th President. Find information on touring The Hermitage at this link.

Travellers Rest – Nashville, TN

Travellers Rest ( Map ) was built in 1799 and was the home of Judge John Overton. Find information on touring Travellers Rest at this link.

Belle Meade Plantation – Nashville, TN

Belle Meade Plantation ( Map ) is a Federal style house built in the 1820’s by John Harding. Find information on touring Belle Meade Plantation at this link.

Belmont Mansion – Nashville, TN

Belmont Mansion ( Map ) is an antebellum home built in 1849 by Adelicia Hayes Franklin and her husband, Joseph Alexander Smith Acklen. Find information on touring Belmont Mansion at this link.

Two Rivers Mansion – Nashville, TN

Two Rivers Mansion ( Map ) was built by David McGavock in 1859.  This home is open for tours in June, July & August and also during the Christmas season. Find tour information at this link.

Croft House @ The Nashville Zoo

The Croft House ( Map ) was built by Colonel Michael C. Dunn in 1810. The home has had several owners and renovations. It is now part of The Nashville Zoo. Home tours are available at different times throughout the year. Find tour information at this link.

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens – Nashville, TN

Cheekwood Mansion (Map) was built in 1932. The house features 36 rooms and a large art collection. Find touring information on Cheekwood Mansion at this link.

Buchanan Log House – Nashville, TN

The Buchanan Log House ( Map ) was built by James Buchanan in 1808. Tours generally begin in April and go through September. The Log House also hosts several family friendly events each year. Find tour information and events schedule at this link.

Sam Davis Home – Smyrna, TN

The Sam Davis Home ( Map ) is the childhood home of Sam Davis,a ‘boy hero’ of the Civil War. The Greek Revival home was built in 1810 and renovated in 1850. Find information on touring the Sam Davis home at this link.

Oaklands Mansion – Murfreesboro, TN

Oaklands Mansion ( Map ) is an antebellum home built in 1815 and enlarged through the next two decades. Find information on touring Oaklands Mansion at this link.

Historic Rock Castle – Hendersonville, TN

Rock Castle ( Map ) was built in 1784 by Daniel Smith who was a Revolutionary War colonel and one of Andrew Jackson’s best friends. Find information on touring Rock Castle at this link.

Rose Mont – Gallatin, TN

Rose Mont ( Map )  is a Greek Revival home built in 1842 by Judge Josephus Conn Guild. Open for tours from mid April through October. Tour information can be found at this link.

Cragfont – Castalian Springs, TN

Cragfont ( Map ) was the home of General James Winchester, a soldier in the American Revolution and a General in the War of 1812. Cragfont was built in 1802. Open for tours from mid April through October. Tour information can be found at this link.

Wynnewood – Castalian Springs, TN

Wynnewood ( Map ) is the oldest surviving log structure in Tennessee. The main building was constructed as a stagecoach terminal in 1828. Open for tours from mid April through October. Tour information can be found at this link.

Mansker’s Station & Bowen Plantation House – Goodlettsville, TN

Bowen Plantation House ( Map ) was built in 1787 by William Bowen who received the land as an award for his service in the Revolutionary War. Tour information can be found at this link.

Carnton Plantation and Carter House  – Franklin, TN

Carnton ( Map ) was built in in 1826 by Randal McGavock. The home was used as a field hospital during the Battle of Franklin in 1864. Carter House ( Map ) was built by Fountain Branch Carter in 1830. The home was used as headquarters for the Twenty-Third Army Corps during the Battle of Franklin. Both of these homes and The Lotz House are owned by The Battle of Franklin Trust. Tour information for all locations can be found at this link.

Rippaville Plantation – Spring Hill, TN

Rippaville Plantation ( Map ) is a mansion built in 1855 by Nathaniel and Susan Cheairs in the Greek Revival style. Find Rippaville tour information at this link.

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Rachel is a Middle Tennessee native, born and raised in the Nashville area and having lived in Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, and Mount Juliet. She is mom to 3, step mom to 4 and Grandma to one (so far!)

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"The Charm of Historical Homes in East Tennessee"

"understanding the allure of east tennessee's historical homes".

There's something enchanting about walking through a historical home. It's like taking a step back in time, where every creaking floorboard and crack in the wall tells a story. East Tennessee's historical homes are no exception. They hold within their walls the memories of generations past, and offer a glimpse into a world long gone. But what is it that makes these homes so alluring?

One aspect that captivates many is the historical significance of these homes. They serve as tangible connections to East Tennessee's past, reminding us of the people and events that shaped this region. From plantation owners to Civil War soldiers, the stories behind these homes are as diverse as the architecture itself.

Speaking of architecture, the variety of styles found in East Tennessee's historical homes is another draw for enthusiasts. Whether you're a fan of Greek Revival or Gothic Revival, you'll find it all here. From the intricately carved details to the grand columns adorning the front entrance, the craftsmanship of these homes is awe-inspiring.

Imagine stepping into a Greek Revival home, with its symmetrical design and elegant proportions. The front entrance beckons you with its towering columns, reminiscent of the grandeur of ancient Greek temples. As you walk through the home, you can't help but marvel at the intricately carved moldings and the ornate ceiling medallions, each one telling a story of the skilled craftsmen who brought this masterpiece to life.

Or perhaps you find yourself in a Gothic Revival home, with its pointed arches and decorative tracery. The stained glass windows cast a colorful glow across the rooms, creating an ambiance of mystery and romance. As you explore the nooks and crannies of this architectural gem, you can't help but imagine the lives that were lived within its walls, the laughter and tears that echoed through the halls.

But it's not just the architecture that makes these historical homes so alluring. It's also the sense of timelessness that they exude. Walking through the rooms, you can almost hear the echoes of past conversations and feel the presence of those who came before you. Each piece of furniture, each painting on the wall, has a story to tell, a connection to a bygone era.

And let's not forget the lush landscapes that often surround these historical homes. From meticulously manicured gardens to sprawling estates, the outdoor spaces are just as captivating as the interiors. Imagine strolling through a rose garden, the scent of blooming flowers filling the air, or sitting under the shade of a centuries-old oak tree, contemplating the passage of time.

So, whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the past, East Tennessee's historical homes offer a unique and captivating experience. They are not just houses; they are living testaments to the rich and vibrant history of this region. Each visit is a journey through time, a chance to immerse yourself in the stories and memories of those who came before. So, step inside, and let the allure of East Tennessee's historical homes transport you to a world long gone.

"Exploring Notable Historical Homes in East Tennessee"

Now that we understand the allure, let's embark on a journey to explore some of the most notable historical homes in East Tennessee.

"The Ramsey House: A Testament to 18th Century Living"

Step inside the Ramsey House, and you'll find yourself transported to a time when life was simpler. Built in the late 1700s, this Georgian-style home tells the story of Francis Alexander Ramsey, a prominent figure in East Tennessee's early history. The meticulously preserved interior takes you on a journey through 18th-century living, complete with period furnishings and decor. It's like stepping into a time capsule!

As you walk through the front door, you'll be greeted by the sight of a cozy sitting room, where Ramsey would entertain guests and discuss matters of importance. The walls are adorned with portraits of his family, giving you a glimpse into their lives. Moving further into the house, you'll come across the elegant dining room, where Ramsey would host lavish dinner parties. The long table is set with fine china and silverware, ready to welcome guests for an evening of feasting and conversation.

Upstairs, you'll find the bedrooms, each with its own unique charm. Ramsey's bedroom is simple yet elegant, with a four-poster bed and a writing desk where he would pen letters and documents. The guest rooms are equally inviting, with comfortable beds and antique furniture that transport you back in time.

"The Mabry-Hazen House: A Glimpse into Civil War Era"

If you're a history buff with a particular interest in the Civil War, then the Mabry-Hazen House is a must-visit. This stately mansion was once used as a headquarters by both Union and Confederate forces during the war. Walking through the halls, you can almost feel the tension that once filled the air. The house is filled with artifacts from the era, giving visitors a tangible connection to this pivotal time in American history.

As you enter the Mabry-Hazen House, you'll be greeted by the sight of a grand staircase, leading up to the second floor. This staircase witnessed the comings and goings of soldiers and officers, as they strategized and planned their next moves. The rooms on the main floor serve as a museum, showcasing a collection of Civil War memorabilia, including weapons, uniforms, and personal belongings of soldiers who once occupied the house.

One of the most fascinating rooms in the house is the library, where General Joseph A. Mabry would study maps and devise military strategies. The shelves are lined with books on military history, providing a glimpse into the mind of a military leader during a time of great turmoil.

"The Crescent Bend House: A Reflection of Southern Aristocracy"

Prepare to be dazzled by the grandeur of the Crescent Bend House. This Italianate villa is a true testament to the opulence of southern aristocracy in the 19th century. With its sprawling gardens, ornate furnishings, and breathtaking river views, it's easy to see why this home has become a beloved destination for weddings and events. As you wander through the rooms, you can almost picture the lavish parties that were once held here, filled with laughter and merriment.

As you step into the Crescent Bend House, you'll be greeted by the sight of a magnificent foyer, with a grand staircase leading to the upper floors. The walls are adorned with intricate moldings and paintings, showcasing the artistic talents of the time. Moving further into the house, you'll find the formal drawing room, where guests would gather for lively conversations and entertainment. The room is filled with elegant furniture, including plush sofas and gilded mirrors, creating an atmosphere of refined luxury.

One of the highlights of the Crescent Bend House is the ballroom, where extravagant parties would take place. The room is adorned with crystal chandeliers and a polished wooden dance floor, setting the stage for nights of dancing and celebration. The adjacent conservatory is filled with exotic plants and flowers, adding a touch of natural beauty to the opulent surroundings.

As you explore the gardens surrounding the house, you'll be greeted by the sight of meticulously manicured lawns, vibrant flower beds, and serene water features. The gardens provide a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

"The Preservation and Restoration of Historical Homes"

Preserving and restoring historical homes is no easy task. It requires a dedicated team of experts, a deep understanding of the home's unique history, and plenty of patience. But the rewards are well worth the effort.

Historical homes are more than just structures made of bricks and mortar. They are living testaments to the past, holding within their walls the stories of those who came before us. These homes are a window into a different time, a glimpse into the lives of the people who shaped our communities.

"Efforts to Preserve East Tennessee's Historical Homes"

In East Tennessee, there are numerous organizations and individuals who are passionate about preserving the region's historical homes. Through fundraising efforts, grants, and sheer determination, these preservationists work tirelessly to ensure that these architectural gems are protected for future generations to enjoy.

One such organization is the East Tennessee Historical Society, which has been at the forefront of preservation efforts for over a century. With a team of dedicated historians, architects, and volunteers, they have successfully restored and maintained some of the most significant historical homes in the region.

But preservation is not just limited to large organizations. Many individuals in East Tennessee are also actively involved in saving historical homes. These passionate homeowners take on the challenge of restoring these properties themselves, pouring their heart and soul into every renovation project.

From conducting extensive research to coordinating meticulous restoration projects, these preservationists are the unsung heroes of East Tennessee's historical homes. They understand the importance of preserving the architectural integrity of these homes while also ensuring that they are functional and safe for modern living.

"The Challenges and Rewards of Restoring Historical Homes"

Restoring a historical home can be a labor of love. From peeling back layers of paint to sourcing period-appropriate materials, every step of the process requires attention to detail. The restoration team must carefully analyze the original design and craftsmanship of the home, making sure that any modifications or additions are in line with its historical significance.

One of the biggest challenges faced by restoration experts is finding the right materials. Many historical homes were built using materials that are no longer readily available. This means that restoration teams must search far and wide to find period-appropriate materials or resort to custom craftsmanship to replicate the original features.

But the rewards of restoring a historical home are immeasurable. The joy of bringing a forgotten home back to its former glory, of seeing its beauty shine once again, is an experience like no other. It's a chance to breathe new life into history, to ensure that the stories these homes carry are never forgotten.

Moreover, the restoration of historical homes has a positive impact on the community as a whole. These restored homes become landmarks, attracting visitors from far and wide who appreciate the beauty and history they represent. They contribute to the cultural fabric of the region, serving as a reminder of our shared heritage and the importance of preserving it.

In conclusion, the preservation and restoration of historical homes is a labor-intensive but incredibly rewarding endeavor. It requires a deep appreciation for history, a commitment to meticulous craftsmanship, and a passion for ensuring that the stories of the past are not lost to time. Through the efforts of dedicated individuals and organizations, these architectural treasures continue to stand as a testament to our collective heritage.

"Living in a Historical Home: A Unique Experience"

Imagine waking up every morning in a home with centuries of history. Living in a historical home offers a unique experience that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

"The Pros and Cons of Owning a Historical Home"

While the charm of historical homes is undeniable, there are pros and cons to consider before taking the plunge. On the plus side, you'll have a one-of-a-kind home filled with character and charm. But with age comes maintenance, and historical homes often require extra care and attention. From dealing with outdated plumbing to protecting fragile architectural details, owning a historical home can be a labor of love. However, for those passionate about preserving history and willing to put in the effort, it's a small price to pay for the privilege of calling a historical home your own.

"The Stories Behind the Residents of Historical Homes"

One of the most fascinating aspects of historical homes is the stories of the people who once called them home. From famous figures to everyday individuals, these homes have housed a multitude of characters throughout the years. Whether it's a former president, a Civil War soldier, or a local legend, the stories of these residents add depth and intrigue to the home's history. It's like stepping into their shoes and experiencing the past firsthand.

"The Impact of Historical Homes on East Tennessee's Tourism"

East Tennessee's historical homes not only captivate residents but also draw tourists from far and wide.

"Historical Homes as Tourist Attractions"

For history enthusiasts, a visit to East Tennessee's historical homes is a must. The combination of breathtaking architecture, rich history, and captivating stories make these homes a magnet for tourists. Whether it's a guided tour of a grand mansion or a self-guided exploration of a humble log cabin, visitors can immerse themselves in the past and gain a deeper appreciation for the region's cultural heritage.

"The Role of Historical Homes in Local Economy"

Historical homes not only preserve and showcase East Tennessee's history but also play a significant role in the local economy. They attract tourists, creating a boost in tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and shops. The preservation and restoration efforts also provide jobs for local craftsmen and artisans. So, it's safe to say that historical homes are not just charming architectural treasures but also important contributors to the economic well-being of East Tennessee.

So, if you find yourself in East Tennessee, don't miss the opportunity to explore the charm and allure of the region's historical homes. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the past, these homes are sure to leave a lasting impression. Experience the magic of stepping back in time and discover the stories that lie within these architectural marvels. East Tennessee's historical homes are waiting to enchant you.

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Self-Guided tours are available by reservation Tuesday- Friday at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

Children 5 and under admitted FREE.

We recommend guests allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for the self-guided tour. Visitors are welcome to wear masks or other PPE.

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Historic Homes of Columbia & Maury County

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 12:00 PM by Andrew Kyle Saucier

Columbia and Maury County are a treasure trove of restored, maintained and protected antebellum mansions. Here are just five of the historic properties that bring the story of Tennessee alive - from a progressive all girl’s school and daring Civil War exploits all the way to the President of the United States.

The Athenaeum

Named for Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, the Athenaeum was built for a progressive purpose. Reverend Franklin G. Smith took a rare position for a headmaster of an educational institute in the South’s antebellum era - that women ought to be educated like men. And that’s precisely what he did. First at the Columbia Female Institute, which no longer stands, and then at his own school, the Athenaeum, Reverend Smith presided over an institution that instructed female pupils in foreign language, mathematics, music and natural sciences.

Completed in 1837, the Athenaeum continued to operate as a school until 1904. Today, all that remains is the Athenaeum Rectory, the building with iconic Moorish arches that Reverend Smith and his family called home. The Athenaeum is located at 808 Athenaeum Street, Columbia, Tennessee 38401. The home is available for tours Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm. Visit them online at  Athenaeum for more information.

Rippavilla Plantation

The story of how Rippavilla Plantation came to be is like something out of a novel. A young man named Nathaniel Cheairs IV wished to marry a young woman named Susan. Nathaniel Cheairs III objected on the grounds that in the family tradition, Cheairs sons named Nathaniel married women named Sarah. So committed was Nathaniel III that he offered a $5,000 gift if his son would call off the engagement. But young Susan’s father interceded. As a prominent local businessman with a brickyard and a labor force of enslaved persons, he offered a gift of greater value: a plantation and a home.

Needless to say, Nathaniel III withdrew his objections, and his son married Susan and Rippa Villa was built. Rippa Villa Plantation is located just north of Columbia proper and is part of the Battle of Spring Hill battlefield. It is located at 5700 Main Street, Spring Hill, Tennessee 37174 and open Monday - Saturday, 10m - 4pm and Sunday, 1pm - 4pm. Visit them online at  Rippa Villa  for more information.

Historic Elm Springs

Many of Columbia’s magnificent antebellum plantation homes did not survive the American Civil War. It is thanks to one man that Elm Springs did. In November of 1864, during the Confederate Army of Tennessee’s invasion of Middle Tennessee, Elm Springs was set on fire. Federal soldiers had been ordered to clear the area of the homes considered obstructions for a battle everyone expected, but which never fully materialized. A Confederate Brigadier General named Frank C. Armstrong sent mounted infantry to extinguish the growing blaze, and thus Elm Springs survives to this day.

This hilltop mansion is owned by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who are currently building a museum behind the home. Located at 740 Mooresville Pike, Columbia, Tennessee 38401, it is open for tours Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. Visit them online at  Historic Elm Springs  for more information.

Rattle and Snap Plantation

The land on which this peculiarly named home is built on was won in a game of chance. William Polk challenged the governor of North Carolina to a round of an old fashioned gentleman’s betting game. What was at stake? Over 5,500 acres of land in what was at the time still part of North Carolina, but would later become Tennessee. Although the specific rules of the game are lost, we know it involved the tossing of beans, similar perhaps to today’s dice. North Carolina’s governor lost the game, and therefore the land. William Polk divided his new holdings amongst his four sons, who each built fine plantation homes - including George, who named his new home after the game of chance his father had won the property on. The game was called “rattle and snap.”

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971, the home is privately owned and available for tour on appointment only. Please call 931-379-1700 to schedule a tour. It is located at 1522 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, TN 38401. Visit them online at  Rattle and Snap Plantation for more information.

President James K. Polk Home & Museum

Columbia, Tennessee was once home to a young man whose political career eventually propelled him to the highest office in the nation. James Knox Polk graduated from the University of North Carolina, and, as many recent college graduates do, moved in with his parents. Here, in Columbia, he began practicing law and entered into politics. Built in 1816, when Maury County, Tennessee was still on the western frontier, it is the only surviving home Polk ever lived in - not counting the White House, of course.

This impressive Federal style home is available for tours Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm (April - October) and Monday - Saturday, 9am - 4pm and Sunday 1pm - 5pm (November - March). It is located at 301 West 7th Street, Columbia, Tennessee 38401. Visit them online at  James K. Polk Home & Museum for more information.

Author: Andrew Kyle Saucier

Andrew Kyle Saucier is a freelance writer and photographer and author of "Ultimate Smoky Mountains: Discovering the Great National Park.” He specializes in the music, culture and outdoor spaces of the American Southeast. Andrew lives with his wife in nearby Chapel Hill, Tennessee.

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Old North Knoxville's Victorian Holiday Home Tour

Advance tickets are no longer available but you can still purchase tickets at the event for $20 (adults) and $15 (seniors) by starting the tour at either of the parking locations noted below.

*** Please note, the Victorian Holiday Home Tour takes place rain or shine! Our historic homes are warm, cozy, and beautiful in any kind of weather. We’ve held the event in sun, rain, and even snow. This year it looks like we may have some spotty rain on Saturday, but our continuously running bus service can still move you from house to house with as little inconvenience as possible, and the weather on Sunday looks like it’s going to be spectacular. We look forward to seeing everyone! ***

Make plans now to join us for the 33rd Annual Victorian Holiday Home Tour on December 2nd & 3rd 2023! Old North Knoxville features beautiful homes built in the Queen Anne, Craftsman/Bungalow, Neoclassical Revival, and American Four Square style. To help you kick off your holiday season, Old North Knoxville neighbors will open the doors of select homes in a variety of these styles, restored and decorated for the season for your viewing pleasure! If you’ve never been on the tour before, find out what to expect or learn more about the neighborhood

Candlelight Tour: Saturday Dec. 2nd, 2023  4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Afternoon Tour: Sunday Dec. 3rd, 2023  1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

If you have been on the tour before, please note that we have NEW PARKING LOCATIONS THIS YEAR! Because the former St. Mary’s / Tennova hospital has closed, we have two new parking options:

Option #1: First Lutheran Church, 1207 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917 Option #2: Rose Funeral & Cremation, 1421 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917

Both parking locations are also stops on the tour this year, and buses will pick up and drop off at both lots. If one lot is full, please try the other just two blocks down the street.

Please take a look at some of the homes scheduled to be on the 2023 tour .

TICKETS: Advance tickets are $15 and are available online now . For advance tickets purchased online, PLEASE BRING YOUR RECEIPT to our ticket booth on the day of the event and your ticket(s) will be in WILL CALL. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event for $20 (adults) and $15 (seniors) by starting the tour at either of the parking locations noted above.

TICKETS: Advance tickets are no longer available but you can still purchase tickets at the event for $20 (adults) and $15 (seniors) by starting the tour at either of the parking locations noted above. If you have already purchased an advance ticket online, PLEASE BRING YOUR RECEIPT to our ticket booth on the day of the event and your ticket(s) will be in WILL CALL.

**Children under 12 receive free admission!

Many thanks to Three Rivers Market and Elder’s Ace Hardware stores, our partners for advance ticket sales this year! Three Rivers Market is located at the corner of N. Central St and E. Baxter Ave. Elder’s Ace Hardware has five area locations for your convenience: in Bearden (next to EarthFare), in Rocky Hill (next to Butler & Bailey Market), in Farragut (near the intersection of Kingston Pike and Shipley Ln.), in Halls (across from Gondolier), and in South Knoxville (next to United Grocery Outlet). You can click on the logos below for directions and more details on their locations.

ORNAMENTS : Each year since 2003, Old North Knoxville has commissioned a limited edition ornament to commemorate the Holiday Home Tour. The ornaments are available to purchase at the Home Tour. Ornaments cost $15 each, and you can find more details here .

PARKING : Park and ride continuous bus service is available beginning at either of our parking options:

Option #1: First Lutheran Church, 1207 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917

Option #2: Rose Funeral & Cremation, 1421 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917

Take a look at some of the beautiful homes that have been featured in previous years:

2022 Homes on Tour 2021 Homes on Tour 2020 Homes on Tour 2019 Homes on Tour 2018 Homes on Tour 2017 Homes on Tour 2016 Homes on Tour 2015 Homes on Tour 2014 Homes on Tour 2013 Homes on Tour 2012 Homes on Tour 2011 Homes on Tour 2010 Homes on Tour 2009 Homes on Tour

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Tour 8 of Franklin’s Most Charming Historic Homes

Glimpses into the past can be found nearly everywhere in Franklin, Tennessee—from the bullet-riddled buildings that bore witness to the Battle of Franklin to the old churches and homes that testify to a bygone way of life—but the battle to preserve these historic structures was hard-won. After Franklin lost several significant properties, a group of citizens founded the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County in 1967 “to conserve the best of the past and to plan for the benefit of the future.” Since then, numerous buildings have been saved and preserved (including The Franklin Theatre and the Old, Old Jail), and the 15-block downtown district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

An award-winning, new novel Finding Franklin celebrates the rich history of this town while weaving a modern tale of mystery and romance. The author Katie Shands has compiled a list of her favorite Franklin historic homes, one of which makes an appearance in her book. Read on—or even better, print out this list and take a walking tour—for a personal peek into Franklin’s fascinating past.

ABOUT KATIE SHANDS: Katie Shands began writing professionally as a broadcast journalist, but now focuses on fiction. Her first novel Finding Franklin won a Janice Keck Literary Award; to purchase a signed copy, visit www.KatieShands.com , Landmark Booksellers, Handy Hardware, or Bound Booksellers. Katie makes her home in Franklin with her husband and three children.

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