Nashville boasts a variety of historic buildings, landmarks and museums that will help visitors understand its past and present.
Tour Belmont Mansion, Tennessee’s largest house museum. This antebellum home gives visitors a look into the lifestyles of wealthy families before, during, and after the American Civil War.
Fort Negley
Fort Negley was built by Union soldiers following Nashville’s capture in 1862 as one of the largest inland masonry fortifications built during the Civil War. Serving as a key defense mechanism against Union attackers, more than 2,700 runaway slaves and free black laborers participated in its construction; many stayed afterward to form neighborhoods such as Edgefield and Chestnut Hill while also joining up in regiment 13 of United States Colored Troops.
However, its history also speaks to current forces at play in Nashville at an unprecedented growth and development rate. That is why TCLF included it in our Landslide program in 2017, drawing attention to plans by a developer to build on 40 percent of Fort Nashborough property for development; ultimately this proposal was withdrawn due to public outrage and new archaeological findings that pointed towards possible graves within its confines.
Belle Meade Historic Site
Belle Meade, an historic site with winery and visitors center, is well known for breeding thoroughbred horses. Additionally, its fame as an American presidential retreat made it a frequent stopover among Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, and William Howard Taft’s families – among many other visitors.
136 slaves on this property worked at various jobs and learned specialized trades such as stonemasonry and millwork; some even went on to become jockeys or trainers! Following the Civil War, 72 of them continued working for pay.
Belle Meade played an active part in the Civil War as its front yard was a site for skirmishes and its mansion was used as Confederate Gen. Chalmers’ headquarters. Today, its 1853 Greek Revival mansion and other structures are open for guided tours.
This site also boasts a museum and education program dedicated to exploring slavery’s legacy in Nashville. Brigette Jones, Director of Cultural Programs for this site, states that African American history on plantations sites often gets overlooked or watered down, so her goal is to educate about and highlight harsh realities associated with life on these properties during that era.
Ryman Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is widely considered the “Mother Church of Country Music.” Renowned for its unparalleled acoustics and historical significance, this iconic performance venue hosts shows throughout the year and was previously home to Grand Ole Opry from 1943 until 1974.
This landmark building was created by sea captain Thomas Ryman after attending an evangelist Sam Jones tent revival, originally called Union Gospel Tabernacle and still featuring pews and other architectural details reminiscent of its religious history.
Today, this venue hosts concerts by artists of all genres and has played an essential part in popularizing country music. Take a guided tour to experience its colorful past or watch a video presentation in the Soul of Nashville theater highlighting over 100 years of legendary performances; finally peruse exhibits that include artifacts from legends like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash!
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
At The Hermitage, visitors gain insight into President Jackson’s influence in shaping America. This place serves as a testament to both his failures and achievements in boosting presidential power, protecting union security and pushing democracy forward in America. Unlike many historic southern plantations homes, The Hermitage doesn’t shy away from discussing slavery’s dark sides – including how unhappy Jackson’s slaves must have felt with their lives at The Hermitage.
After a chimney fire devastated much of the mansion in 1834, architects Joseph Reiff and William C. Hume redesigned it in Greek Revivals style; replacing heavy ornate woodwork with lighter marble mantels and elliptical staircases. Archaeologists discovered 10 additional slave cabins during restoration efforts at Hermitage Hill and thousands of artifacts that tell the history of its slave population. Artifacts from Jackson’s residence can now be seen throughout The Hermitage house, kitchen, smokehouse, and three slave quarters. One of the most striking sights at The Hermitage is a large portrait of Rachel Jackson hanging above his mantel in his bedroom – she was both his first sight of morning and last sight before sleeping.
