We try to keep this list of historic house museums for Tennessee current, but it is best to check directly with the museums for their hours and other information. If you know of a historic house museum in Tennessee that should be listed here, please use our submission form to let us know about it.
Castalian Springs
Need an Image for ID# 1189
Cragfont State Historic Site
Castalian Springs, TN 37031
Phone: (615) 452-7070
Admission Price: Adults $5, Seniors $4, Children $3, Under 6 Free
Hours: See their website
Built around 1800, the house was the home of Gen. James Winchester, a Revolutionary War hero. The house is furnished with antiques and handmade pioneer items.
Chattanooga
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Hunter Museum of American Art
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone: (423) 267-0968
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: See their website
This Neoclassical-style brick building was designed by the Cincinnati architectural firm of Mead and Garfield. Due to the varying architectural features, the mansion encompasses classical revival styles that contain both Georgian and Federal style elements.
Columbia
Need an Image for ID# 1183
James K. Polk Home and Museum
Columbia, TN 38401
Phone: (931) 388-2354
Admission Price: Contact Museum
Hours: Contact Museum
The only surviving residence of James K. Polk other than the White House, this painted brick structure is one of the best examples of Federal-style architecture in Tennessee. Samuel Polk, a prosperous farmer and surveyor, built the house in 1816 while his oldest son James was attending the University of North Carolina.
Cornersville
Need an Image for ID# 578
Lairdland Farm House
Cornersville, TN 37047
Phone: (931) 363-2205
Admission Price: Adults $10, Students $5
Hours: By apointment
Built in 1831 this home has ties to 2 Confederate Cavalrymen. Contains an authentic museum of Civil War Artifacts. Filled with American Empire and Victorian Furniture. Beautiful gardens. Historic herb garden, period outbuildings, including smoke house and Travellers' Cottage
Elizabethton
Need an Image for ID# 1184
The Carter Mansion
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Phone: (423) 543-5808
Admission Price: call for info
Hours: 9am-4pm Mon-Sat, 1-4:30pm Sun
The oldest framed house in Tennessee, it still retains over 90 percent of the original materials.
Franklin
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Historic Carnton Plantation
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 794-0903
Admission Price: Adults $18, Children $8
Hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun
Completed in 1826 by Randal McGavock, Carnton was one of the most elegant estates in Williamson county.
Need an Image for ID# 1188
Lotz House
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-7190
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: See their website
The land on which the house was constructed was purchased from the Carter family by German emigrants Johan Albert Lotz and Margaretha Lotz. Johann, a very talented woodworker, constructed such things as pianos and much of the house itself. Inside the home were plentiful examples of intricate details which showcased his skill. Some of these details include three fireplaces whose designs range from very simple to intricate, as well as a solid black walnut handrail that wraps around a staircase from the ground floor to the second floor of the home
Need an Image for ID# 1187
McLemore House
Franklin, TN 37065
Phone: (615) 224-3140
Admission Price: Adults $10, Children $5, Under 6 Free
Hours: 10am-2pm Sat
During an age where very few homes purchased by former slaves remain in existence, it is quite remarkable that the McLemore House is still standing. Also remarkable is the fact that from 1880 until 1997, a member of the McLemore family maintained ownership of the homestead. The house was purchased through the joint efforts of the Williamson County Habitat for Humanity and the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.
Need an Image for ID# 1186
The Carter House
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 791-1861
Admission Price: Adults $18, Children $8
Hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun
The 1830 house is furnished with original and period furniture and commemorates the “Battle of the Generals.”
Hendersonville
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Historic Rock Castle
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Phone: (615) 824-0502
Admission Price: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children $6, Under 6 Free
Hours: 10am-5pm Tue - Sat, 1-5pm Sun, Mar thru Dec
Home of Gen. Daniel Smith, a U.S. Senator and the surveyor who drew the first map of Tennessee.
Henning
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Alex Haley House and Museum
Henning, TN 38041
Phone: (731) 738-2240
Admission Price: Call for info
Hours: 10am-5pm Tue-Sat
Originally known as the Palmer House, this 10-room, turn-of-the-century, bungalow home was built in 1919 by Will E. Palmer, the maternal grandfather of Alex Haley (1921-92). From 1921 to 1929, and during some subsequent summers, Haley lived here with his grandparents.
Knoxville
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Blount Mansion
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 525-2375
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: See their website
One of the first frame houses west of the Alleghenies, the 1792 house is furnished with original and period pieces. The 1818 Craighead-Jackson House, next to the mansion, offers changing exhibits.
Need an Image for ID# 1192
Crescent Bend
Knoxville, TN 37818
Phone: (865) 637-3163
Admission Price: Adults $7, Students $5, Under 13 Free
Hours: 10am - 4pm Fri, 10am - 2pm Sat
Built in 1834, the house was the centerpiece of a 600 acre farm. The restored home features 18th century American and English furniture and decorative arts. Terraced Italianate gardens with fountains descend to the river.
Need an Image for ID# 1194
Historic Ramsey House
Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 546-0745
Admission Price: Adults $7, Seniors $6, Children $5, Under 6 Free
Hours: See their website
Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville’s first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey. The home is constructed of Tennessee pink marble and blue limestone. It was known at that time as the finest home in Tennessee. The structure is significant for its original interior and exterior architectural features and its period decorative art collection.
McMinnville
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Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens
McMinnville, TN 37110
Phone: (931) 668-4444
Admission Price: Adults $13, Children $7
Hours: 9am - 5pm Daily
This 10,000 square-foot Victorian mansion was built by “Gorilla Pants” manufacturer Clay Faulkner in 1896. Called “Tennessee’s Biltmore” by PBS, it had all the modern conveniences, including indoor plumbing, electric lights, central heat and air, and even a telephone.
Memphis
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Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 761-5250
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: See their website
The Dixon residence was designed in the Neo-Georgian manner and completed in 1942. The house opened to the public in 1976, and today is devoted to displaying the Dixon permanent collection.
Need an Image for ID# 1198
Graceland
Memphis, TN
Phone: (901) 332-3322
Toll Free: (800) 238-2000
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: See their website
If you think Elvis is still alive, you might want to check this one out. Otherwise there are four other homes to see in the area.
Need an Image for ID# 1199
Magevney House
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 523-1484
Admission Price: Free
Hours: 1-4pm First Sat of every month
This small, white clapboard cottage was built in the 1830s and was home to Irish immigrant, Eugene Magevney. Typical of pre-Civil War, middle-class homes, it is furnished as it might have been in 1850 and features several personal possessions of the Magevney family, including a desk bureau and other antiquities.The house is one of the city's oldest remaining residences.
Need an Image for ID# 1200
Mallory-Neely House
Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: (901) 523-1484
Admission Price: Adults $10, Seniors $9, Children $5
Hours: 10am-4pm Fri & Sat
Isaac and Lucy Kirtland bought the property in 1852 and built the two-story home for their family. In 1883 Columbus and Frances Neely bought the house and moved in with their five children. The Neely’s made significant changes, adding a third floor with an additional level for the tower and were responsible for the magnificent period interiors we still see today.
Need an Image for ID# 1201
Woodruff-Fontaine House
Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: (901) 526-1469
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: See their website
A fine example of French Victorian style and craftsmanship, the 1870 house is restored and furnished with antiques. Changing exhibits often feature antique clothing.
Murfreesboro
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Oaklands Mansion
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone: (615) 893-0022
Admission Price: Adults $15, Children $6
Hours: 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, 1-4pm Sun
Started in the 1820s, the house went through several additions. In the 1860s is was added on again and restyled into the Italianate mansion you see today.
Nashville
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Belle Meade Plantation
Nashville, TN 37205
Phone: (615) 356-0501
Admission Price: Adults $24, Seniors $20, Youth $13
Hours: Open daily 9am-5pm
The Greek Revival Mansion built in 1854 features a grand curved stairway, 14 foot ceilings and classic proportions. There is also a carriage house that displays 20 carriages.
Need an Image for ID# 1204
Belmont Mansion
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: (615) 460-5459
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: 9:45am-4pm Mon-Sat, 10:45am-4pm Sun
An ornate Italianate Villa built in the 1850s for Adelica Acklen, one of the country’s wealthiest women. The home contains an arch ceilinged ballroom, a grand staircase, heavy marble mantels, period furnishings and artwork collected by the original owners.
Need an Image for ID# 136
Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum
Nashville, TN 37220
Phone: (615) 832-8197
Admission Price: Adults $10, Seniors $9, Students $5
Hours: 10-4 Mon-Sat, 1-4 Sun
Saved from demolition in 1954 by the Tennessee Society of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the historic house, built originally in 1799, was restored to interpret the early 19th century life of Judge John Overton, one of the state’s first Supreme Court Justices, the founder of Memphis, and a close personal friend of Andrew Jackson.
Robbins
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Historic Rugby
Robbins, TN 37852
Phone: (423) 628-2441
Admission Price: See their website
Hours: See their website
An English Settlement dating back to the 1880’s. Visitors can learn from interpretive exhibits that trace the town’s history and tour Victorian buildings. The first weekend in August is the Prilgrimage of Homes when some of the private homes are also open.
Smyrna
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The Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation
Smyrna, TN 37167
Phone: (615) 459-2341
Admission Price: Adults $15, Senior $13, Students $10
Hours: See their website
The mid 19th century home of the 21 year old Confederate hero has been restored and the 168 acre grounds contain outbuildings, slave quarters, period gardens and a museum.