Belmont Mansion
Located on the campus of Belmont University, this historic Italian villa-style mansion was constructed between 1850-1860 by Adelicia and Joseph Acklen. Through the years, it has served as the Acklens’ summer home, as a headquarters of the Union Army during the Battle of Nashville in 1864, and as a women’s college. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, Belmont Mansion was the largest home built in Nashville prior to the Civil War. The ornate home features a collection of original furnishings, paintings, and statuary as well as elaborately landscaped gardens.
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Entertainment Ultimate Guide to the Belmont Mansion
For a piece of Nashville’s Civil War history and a study in Victorian architecture, Belmont Mansion is a fascinating attraction to visit. Completed in 1860 by Adelicia Hayes and her second husband, Joseph Acklen, the just over 18,000 square-foot mansion was surrounded by 177 acres that included elaborate gardens.
History
Adelicia Hayes was born in 1817 into a prominent Nashville family. She was married three times and was once one of the wealthiest women in the country. Her first husband, Isaac Franklin, was a slave trader whose wealth made the Belmont estate possible. Her second husband, Joseph Acklen, was an attorney who oversaw the construction of Belmont and managed the couple’s numerous properties. Her third husband, William Cheatham, was a doctor and medical reformer who ran the Tennessee Insane Asylum using the most advanced theories of moral treatment for the mentally ill in the 19th century.
Adelicia sold Belmont Mansion in 1887 after she moved to Washington, D.C. In 1890, Susan Heron and Ida Hood opened a school for young women on the property. Eventually, it became present-day Belmont University
During its heyday, the Belmont estate boasted a greenhouse, conservatory, art gallery, bathhouse, water tower, bowling alley, and a zoo. Today, Belmont Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and much of it has been restored to its original glory.
Must See
The Mansion – Today Belmont Mansion, with its grand symmetrical portico and façade, is nestled in the heart of Belmont University. The rooms hold a wealth of historic furnishings, sculpture, and paintings, many of which belonged to the Acklens.
The Garden & Grounds – With fragrant rose gardens, geometric planting beds, and an elaborate fountain, the grounds of Belmont Mansion are beautifully maintained today. Take a stroll through the fragrant gardens and enjoy the shade in one of the estate’s original gazebos.
The Art – Adelicia and Joseph Acklen were avid art collectors. They displayed pieces of their collection at prominent events like the 1880 Nashville Centennial and the 1884 New Orleans World Fair. A specialty tour focused on the art collection is available through the museum’s website.
Tips for Visiting
One of the best ways to visit Belmont Mansion, which is located just south of Nashville’s Music Row and Vanderbilt University, is through Old Town Trolley Tours. You’ll enjoy unlimited hop on/hop off re-boarding at all Old Town Trolley Stops throughout Nashville with a fully narrated tour. The route makes a stop at Belmont Mansion.
