Belmont Mansion
There are several noteworthy mansions and historic homes within the Nashville area, and Belmont is most definitely one at the top of the list. Belmont, or Belle Monte, or Acklen Hall, is a historic mansion at Belmont University’s campus, an 1853 era home turned museum. Here at Belmont Mansion, your group will get to see the inner workings of a stately villa from the past, the mansion constantly enlightening guests on local history, Civil War history, architecture, arts, and life in general in the area.
Built for cotton heiress Adelicia Acklen and her husband Joseph, this Italianate/Greek Revival architecturally designed masterpiece is considered to be a true ‘must-see for anyone interested in history, architecture, art, or decorative arts’.
While here check out the meticulously restored rooms, each historically researched to create the truest connection to its history possible. Considered to be ‘one of the most elegant antebellum homes’, Belmont holds 36 rooms within 19,000 square foot of space, the entire house giving one of the absolute finest examples of Victorian home life. The rooms will show you all the furnishings, art, and statuary work there is onsite, but if you opt-in for a guided tour (every half hour) you will get a deeper look at the ‘largest house museum in TN’ with a verbal history of the 1864 Union occupation of the site for the Battle of Nashville, as well as a quick history of the time this lot spent as an all-girls seminary. Don’t forget to ask your tour guide all about the bowling alley and onsite zoo that were once utilized here!
Aside from the basic tours, you can also take part in a Curator’s Tour, Art Tour, Gardens and Grounds Tour (Saturdays only), Battle of Nashville Tour, Lasting Impression Tour, or any occurring progressive lunches or dinners. There are also eating options on campus at the Johnson Center Dining Hall, and further options to historically explore the area with a quick hop on the Old Town Trolley.
