Belle Meade Plantation, now known as Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, is a historic farm in Nashville, Tennessee, established in 1807. Built, owned, and controlled by five generations of the Harding-Jackson family, the farm grew to become one of the most iconic in the United States. Located just outside of downtown Nashville, the Belle Meade Historic Site is dedicated to preserving Tennessee’s history, architecture, hospitality, and equestrian legacy. The estate, which includes William Giles Harding’s Belle Meade Mansion, is a Greek-Revival historic landmark. The Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, a 30-acre historic site, is a staple of American History and Tradition. Originally a log cabin and 250 acres, the farm has grown into a beautiful Greek Revival Mansion and one of the largest thoroughbred horse farms in the country. The Belle Meade Plantation is a popular historic landmark in Nashville, offering an excellent afternoon escape from the bustling crowds of Broadway.
📹 Haunting of the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Join us as we explore a prominant Greek Revival style plantation home located out of Belle Meade, near Nashville, in Tennessee, …
What is the oldest plantation in the world?
Shirley, the oldest family-owned business in North America, has its origins in 1638 when Edward Hill I established a farm on the James River. The plantation, which encompasses 800 acres, is currently inhabited by the 10th and 11th generations of the Hill-Carter family. In 1969, the property was designated a National Historic Landmark, and in 1968, it was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register.
What is the history of West Meade Nashville?
The West Meade neighborhood, once part of the Belle Meade Plantation, was home to Justice Howell Edmunds Jackson and his wife Mary Elizabeth. In 1944, the Jackson family sold West Meade to investors, who formed West Meade Farms, Inc., to develop part of the 1, 700-acre tract. The remaining land was cut up into small farms, which have since disappeared. Today’s West Meade is a suburban, automobile-oriented neighborhood, primarily consisting of masonry veneer “ranch” style detached houses on large lots.
Some original ranch homes are still unrenovated and can be purchased for around $250, 000. However, investors are increasingly buying ranch homes and demolishing them to build “McMansions” on large lots. Currently, there are homes on the market in West Meade with square footage ranging from 1, 300 square feet to 9, 000 square feet and price tags ranging from $249, 000 to $2, 695, 000. The West Meade Community comprises neighborhoods such as West Meade Farms, West Meade Hills, and West Meade Park.
Is Nashville a historic city?
Nashville, a country music capital, has been a significant part of the nation’s history for over two centuries. The city boasts numerous historic landmarks, buildings, museums, and attractions that are enjoyable and educational for the whole family. Some of these sites are stops along the Old Town Trolley Tour, making them accessible for visitors.
Lower Broadway, a major thoroughfare in downtown Nashville, connects neighborhoods like Gulch and Music Row with the Cumberland River waterfront. It serves as the demarcation line for many of Nashville’s roadways. The Customs House, designed by William Appleton, was the cornerstone of the federal building in 1877. The ornate stone building features a Victorian Gothic-style design with a soaring central clock tower and exterior architectural details. Despite being considered nonessential by the federal government in the 1990s, the building was repurposed as private office space.
What two major attractions are located in Belle Meade?
Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, a Nashville treasure, began as a log cabin and 250 acres of land, later transformed into a Greek Revival Mansion and one of the largest thoroughbred horse farms in the South. Tours include Mansion Tours, Journey to Jubilee Tours, Food and Wine Pairings, Bourbon Tastings, VIP Options, and Family Tours. The site features an on-site winery, gift shops, game court, walking paths, and restaurant, making it a great family destination.
What is the history of Belle Meade Country Club?
Belle Meade, a city in Tennessee, was founded by planter John Harding and inherited by his son, William Giles Harding. Before the Civil War, the younger Harding doubled the property and built a new mansion with the help of 136 enslaved African people. The Belle Meade Country Club was founded in 1901. Due to debt, the trustee sold the mansion and 2, 200 acres to Jacob McGavock Dickinson, the general counsel of the Illinois Central Railroad and later the United States Secretary of War.
Dickinson co-founded the Belle Meade Land Company with other notable figures, and they hired Ossian Cole Simonds to design the community. In 1910, Luke Lea, Telfair Hodgson Jr., and David Shepherd bought the Belle Mead Company, which began developing the city’s main streets, including Jackson Boulevard and Belle Meade Boulevard. Johnson Bransford built Deer Park, Berkley Hills, Reservoir Hill, and the Belle Meade Golf Links.
What is the most famous plantation?
Evergreen Plantation, situated on the west bank of the Mississippi River, represents the most intact plantation complex in the American South. It features 37 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including 22 slave cabins. It has the highest historic designation in the country and has been granted landmark status for its agricultural acreage, joining Gettysburg and Mount Vernon.
What is historical about Nashville?
Nashville, founded in 1779, was named after Francis Nash, a general during the American Revolutionary War. Its strategic location as a port on the Cumberland River and railroad center in the 19th century led to rapid growth. Nashville seceded during the American Civil War and was the first state capital in the Confederacy to be taken by Union forces. After the war, it regained its stature as a center of trade and manufacturing. Since 1963, Nashville has had a consolidated city-county government, consisting of six smaller municipalities and a 40-member metropolitan council.
Nashville is home to the Tennessee Supreme Court’s courthouse for Middle Tennessee and is considered a global city by the GaWC. The city is a major center for the music industry, particularly country music, and is home to three major professional sports teams: the Predators, Titans, and Nashville SC.
What was the biggest plantation in US history?
Belle Grove Plantation of White Castle, built in 1857 by John Andrews, was one of the largest plantations in Louisiana and the South. The southern mansion, 62 feet high and 122 feet wide, contained 75 rooms and was painted in pale lavender rose, blue, and yellow. Andrews decided to sell Belle Grove, and planter Henry Ware bought it. The Ware family was the last to own the plantation, forced to sell it due to bad crops in the 1920s.
In 1952, a fire destroyed the plantation, and by 1958, the rest of it was bulldozed. The Belle Grove subdivision is now the only remaining reminder of Belle Grove Plantation. The plantation was destroyed by fire in 1952 and the rest of the property was bulldozed in 1958.
How big is the Belle Meade Plantation?
Belle Meade Plantation, once one of Nashville’s largest private estates, is a 30-acre historic site located 6 miles west of the city. Known as “Queen of the Tennessee Plantations”, Belle Meade was renowned for its horses, with owner John Harding, who expanded the home from its original log cabin, loving horse racing and bred horses to win. His son, Gen. William Giles Harding, became an expert in Thoroughbred breeding and won more purses than any man in America.
Belle Meade had a large population of slaves, many of whom developed specialized skills as tradesmen, jockeys, trainers, and groomsmen. Robert Green, the head groomer, was known for his knowledge of horses and remained a valued and highly paid employee after the Civil War.
Does Nashville have a history museum?
The Tennessee State Museum, located at 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, is a 137, 000-square-foot museum that aims to bring history to life. It features a “Tennessee Time Tunnel” that chronicles the state’s rich history, a hands-on children’s gallery, six rotating galleries, a digital learning center, and a two-story Grand Hall. Exhibitions showcase significant artifacts related to the state’s history, as well as displays of art, furniture, textiles, and photographs produced by Tennesseans.
The museum’s Civil War holdings of uniforms, battle flags, and weapons are among the finest in the nation. Located at the foot of Capitol Hill on the northwest corner of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, there is no admission charge for visitors.
Is Belle Meade a rich area?
Belle Meade is a prestigious neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee, known for its sprawling estates, opulent homes, and verdant lawns. The area is characterized by its rich history and cultural significance, including the Belle Meade Plantation, a historic mansion and museum that showcases 19th-century Southern life. Belle Meade also offers exclusive amenities like the Belle Meade Country Club, a golf course, social events, and networking opportunities.
The neighborhood’s proximity to downtown Nashville ensures easy access to the city’s vibrant music scene, upscale restaurants, and boutique shopping, making it a coveted location for those seeking a serene residential area with all the perks of city life.
Forest Hills is renowned for its sprawling estates, private settings, and abundant greenery, offering a serene escape from the urban hustle. The properties in Forest Hills are characterized by their sizable acreages, providing ample privacy and space for single families and residents. Architecturally, the neighborhood boasts a diverse array of styles, ranging from stately traditional homes to modern masterpieces, reflecting the individual tastes of its affluent owners.
📹 Belle Meade Plantation – Nashville, Tennessee (TRAVEL GUIDE) | Episode# 3
This visit to Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville covers – – Introduction to Belle Meade Plantation, a historic mansion and …
I just visited Belle Meade the day before yesterday. I was walking the beautiful grounds, admiring and respecting all who walked there before us and all who sacrificed to keep the plantation running. I decided to turn on my ghost box, and a loud male voice called me a witch. 😅 I giggled and corrected him. I’m a psychic, not a witch, sir.
What’s crazy is I went here with family on vacation when I was 14. In the library I became extremely light headed and everything I was seeing was in shades of red. I laid on the floor and my grandma yanked me up. I immediately started having a seizure. I was not dehydrated, and I went to a neurologist and there was no indication of a seizure or any irregular activity. Years later, I got curious and googled. Many people have had these experiences here… coincidence?
i went here with a ghost box with my mom, she was complimenting how they decorated the house and a woman said “thank you” and at bob greens house we were asking for a horse and a voice said “take my horse natalie” which is my moms name. when it was just me in there i asked for a good horse and a voice said “just take it now” and then i heard banging coming from the attic, was just us so we were pretty sketched out.
We were just there 2 weeks ago 11/14/22. We all got dizzy, nausea and felt weird. Was kinda crazy I was standing in the room by the kitchen area and I got very dizzy like I was going to faint. Upstairs I felt nausea and mentioned it to my wife and she also said she felt like the floor was moving and had a drunk feeling. Our 2 friends also said they felt dizzy and nausea as well.