Nashville’s story stretches far beyond music. From Civil War battlefields to opulent estates, these five historic homes offer a fascinating look into the city’s past—featuring architecture, art, gardens, and stories of both hardship and innovation. Step inside and experience a deeper side of Music City.
Nashville’s history isn’t only about music. The city’s past includes stories of architecture, design, war, enslavement, freedom, innovation and more. Take a tour at one of these five historic homes and delve deeper into Nashville’s past.
Traveller’s Rest Historic House Museum: Once the home of the Overton family, Traveller’s Rest on the city’s South Side is an opportunity to learn about the Nashville area from Indigenous people to periods of enslavement through the 1800s. The site includes access to Civil War battlefields. Take a self-guided tour through the grounds or a guided tour through the home, which is the area’s oldest historic home open to the public.
Belmont Mansion: Known throughout history as Acklen Hall, Belle Mont and Beautiful Mountain, Belmont Mansion is a 19th century Italianate villa. While today it is firmly in the middle of the city, when it was built it was considered a summer home, with a bowling alley, an art gallery and a zoo. It still provides respite for visitors with its lush gardens and opulent artifacts.
Cheekwood Estates and Gardens: Built in 1929, the mansion on the Cheekwood grounds includes 36 rooms, a magnificent staircase, an impressive art collection and views out on the 55 acres of gardens. The family, known for what would become Maxwell House coffee, asked for the home to be designed and inspired by English manor homes.
The Hermitage: The former home of President Andrew Jackson, The Hermitage includes a mansion filled with Jackson’s former artifacts and more than 1,100 acres of property, including cabins where enslaved peoples were forced to live. A visit to The Hermitage includes information about Jackson’s many complicated roles in history, as well as a look at the bucolic property on which he lived after he left Washington, D.C.
Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery: Belle Meade is chock-full of American history, with details about breeding racehorses, about the Civil War, enslavement, and other challenging times for the country. Book a tour to explore the 1853 Greek Revival mansion, learn about specific elements of Belle Meade’s history or check out the winery and restaurant, all located in West Nashville.
