- Belle Meade Plantation: A historic mansion and former plantation located in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Established: Founded in 1807 by John Harding, initially as a log cabin.
- Greek Revival Architecture: The main mansion was constructed in Greek Revival style in the mid-19th century.
- Horse Breeding: Became famous for its thoroughbred horse breeding and racing, earning the nickname “Queen of the Tennessee Turf.”
- Harding Family: Owned by the Harding and Jackson families, who played a significant role in the state’s history.
- Civil War: During the Civil War, the plantation was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops.
- Historic Tours: Open to the public for guided tours, offering insights into the antebellum South, architecture, and the people who lived and worked there.
- Museum: Houses a museum showcasing artifacts, documents, and stories related to the plantation’s history, the people, and its role in horse racing.
- Restoration: The mansion and surrounding buildings have undergone restoration to preserve their historical significance.
- National Register of Historic Places: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its cultural and architectural importance.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs, workshops, and events to engage visitors with the plantation’s history and heritage.
- Weddings and Events: Provides a picturesque setting for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings.
- Community Involvement: Engages with the local community through various initiatives, events, and partnerships.
Belle Meade Plantation is looked upon as a significant legendary plantation mansion that is proudly settled on the beautiful grounds of Belle Meade, Tennessee. Spread over a huge area, this heart pleasing mansion demonstrates original outbuildings, visitor’s center, Harding cabin, refurbished slave quarters, winery, carriage house, and fantastic features that act as phenomenal elements, making the visit more exhilarating.
Belle Meade Plantation: Permanent Collection
The plantation holds original possessions of the Harding/Jackson family that include documentations and some glorious images of the family. One of the illustrious picture collections of the plantation is the photograph of the Harding/Jackson family captured with William Howard Taft. The 1862 note prepared by President Andrew Johnson in the interest of Mrs. Elizabeth Harding is an eminent feature of the collection. Besides, the inscribed paper bookplates produced by Tiffany and Company in 1900 are also counted among the resplendent collections of this glorious construction. The silver coins possessed by William Giles Harding are great features to relish at the great historical collection of the plantation.
Belle Meade Plantation: Architecture
A character of absolute elegance engraved on its stones, the plantation is considered to be the greatest expression of the classical nineteenth century architectural trends. This dramatical building also shows signs of the up-to-the-minute vogues in constructional designs, as distinctively opted by the master of the plantation, General William G. Harding. The construction was initially built as a Federal style home in the 1820s, which then went under major reformations in the later years of the 1840 period. With spectacular additions made by General Harding, the constructional designing trend of the structure was modified to that of Greek-Revival. The building is seen to prefer conventional social customs and symmetricalness in its design.
Belle Meade Plantation: Thoroughbred
Even hundreds of years after the establishment of this inspiring construction, the significance of Belle Meade in the Thoroughbred sector is highly considered among the enthusiasts. Bella Meade also became the leading stud nursery and farm for the sector with the influential contributions of the Harding/Jackson family’s three generations. The farm was constituted in 1807 by John Harding. With an immense passion for the Thoroughbred industry and being a Virginian, Harding instantly started stabling horses. William Giles Harding majorly believed in the enhancement of the blood stock of Thoroughbreds. The phenomenal legacy of Belle Meade, as a globally prominent Thoroughbred farm, flourishes even during the current age.
Belle Meade Plantation: The Winery
Apart from a salient thoroughbred breeding and racing farm over the years, the plantation has also been reputed as an outstanding center of hospitality since the 1800s. While the 5,400 acre area of the construction was a land for some of the extraordinary horses of history, its remarkable hospitality delivered by the Harding/Jackson family has served almost five presidents of the United States. The hospitality always coupled the immaculate amalgamation of domestic and wild wines, including the epoch-making fineness of homemade wines. This awe-inspiring extension of the legendary mansion guaranteed an elongated tradition of hospitality.
Belle Meade Plantation: Adult Tours
Similar to the school tours, the plantation also makes a fabulous attempt to introduce the exquisite American history before the visitors. By participating in the Regular Group Tour, the visitors can learn about the glorious history of the plantation depicted through the eyes of the Harding/Jackson family. Wassail is a drink that holds its connection with the age-old centuries. With the amazingly arranged Holiday Wassail Tours, the visitors can tour the historical mansion in a unique way. The hearty spiced aroma of the mansion’s homemade Wassail filling the thick air adds an exceptional experience to the tour participants.
Belle Meade Plantation: School Tours
The plantation does a fantastic job of making available the educative and exciting school programs for all student groups. Moreover, even the home school students can enjoy the benefits of the noteworthy and informative school programs organized by the plantation. The Civil War program is one of the renowned educational features of the destination that offers state of the art information about the experiences and involvement of the Harding family in the Civil War and the late period. Likewise, the 100 Years of History is another beneficial program that marks the development of the plantation as one of the most renowned thoroughbred farms of America.
Belle Meade Plantation: Weddings and Events
With a historical farm scene and remarkable flowering gardens, the plantation makes available a splendid background for hosting wedding ceremonies and other glorious celebrations. The elegant grounds packed with sheer beauty allow the photographers to secure some of the phenomenal images of the wedding couples. The plantation also works as a spectacular venue for conducting other events as well.
Belle Meade Plantation: Hotels
The hotels situated within a short distance from this magnificent mansion help the visitors to gather some of the graceful sophistication services of the hotel industry. Besides, the noteworthy amenities permit the guests to have a memorable staying experience at the brilliantly constructed hotels.
The Hermitage Hotel
Offering the taste of the phenomenal Tennessee tradition, The Hermitage Hotel is a striking hotel extension that demonstrates appreciable hospitality before its guests. The boosting Tennessee atmosphere and homelike comforts add together to present some of the acknowledgeable hotel experiences for the visitors. Dining at its encouraging restaurant, Capitol Grill, alongside a melodramatic and refined architecture, is a dream moment for any guest. Its accommodation facilities also contribute to the remarkable resplendence of the hotel.
Hutton Hotel
Experience a splendiferous combination of comfortableness and sophistication at Tennessee’s celebrated hotel destination called Hutton Hotel. Situated at the heart of the city, this appreciable hotel expansion is looked upon as a substantial illustration of contemporary design. State of the art fitness center, proficient valet service, eco-friendly environment, in-room dining service, etc., are some of the inspiring features that make the hotel to be counted among the best hotel destinations of Tennessee.
Visit the Tennessee’s brilliantly constructed destination, Belle Meade Plantation and experience the inspiring history of the Harding/Jackson family alongside some eye-pleasing features.