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Experience the 19th Century at
Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation
Belle Meade Plantation allows RVers to experience what life was like in the
19th century. The plantation and out buildings are preserved much as they were
when Andrew Jackson was a frequent visitor and boarded horses there.
In 1807,
Virginian John Harding bought Dunham's Station log cabin and 250 acres on the
Natchez Trace. For the next 100 years, the Harding family prospered, building
their domain into a 5,400 acre plantation that was world renowned as a
thoroughbred horse farm.
The Civil War brought deprivation and danger to
Belle Meade. During the Battle of Nashville, Union and Confederate forces
skirmished in the front yard, and the mansion's massive stone columns were
riddled with bullets; the evidence of which is still visible today.
In the
years after the Civil War, Belle Meade's reputation as a first-class breeding
establishment attracted buyers from around the world for the annual yearling
sales.
In 1953, Belle Meade Mansion and eight outbuildings on 30 acres were
deeded to the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. Today,
the plantation managed by the Nashville chapter of the Association. On-site
buildings include the 1790s Dunham Station Log Cabin, 1853 Antebellum Mansion,
1890s Carriage House and stables, and seven other historic outbuildings, along
with an antique carriage collection, restaurant and museum shop.
On Fridays
and Saturdays, the cabin features rotating living history activities, including
storytelling, "Voices of the South" vignettes, period dance, 19th century
demonstrations of blacksmithing, gardening, food preparation and preservation
and more.
For RVers who to want see what being a guest of the Harding's and
Jackson's was like in the 19th century and experience a truly Southern meal
before or after their historical tour, the plantation offers several meal/tour
packages. These include a guided tour of the historic Belle Meade Plantation
mansion and a truly southern style meal all for one price. The breakfast tour
starts the day off right with one of two delicious Southern breakfasts and then
a costumed interpreter will lead your group through a tour of the beautiful
historic mansion.
For the lunch tour, an interpreter in period costume will
escort you through the 1853 Greek Revival style Mansion. Step back in time
during the dinner tour, also led by costumed interpreters, and then stroll over
to enjoy a savory Southern dinner of regional specialties. These tours give a
further glimpse into the true hospitality offered to guests at Belle Meade
Plantation.
Belle Meade Plantation is located near the northern terminus of
the Natchez Trace, just seven miles from downtown Nashville. Daily tours are
conducted by costumed guides Monday-Saturday: 9am - 5pm (first tour at 9:30am,
last tour at 4pm) and Sunday: 11am - 5pm (first tour at 11:30am, last tour at
4pm). The plantation is closed Thanksgiving day, Christmas Day, and New Year's
Day.
For general information, brochure, or to visit, call (615) 356-0501 ex.
21, or Information@BelleMeadePlantation.com.
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