All About Nashville ( Historic Sites & Museums )

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Historic Sites & Museums in Nashville

Nashville has a great deal of historical information and sites. Many great movements have occurred in and around Nashville and the museums and sites reflect the history. Visit the Belle Meade Plantation and the Belmont Mansion to gain insight into the past. Check out some of the interesting places we have listed below. If you need help with your hotel and car rental needs, use the links to the left and save up to 40%

Museums

Country Music Hall of Fame - 4 Music Square East. 615-256-1639. Over 3000 stage costumes, original song manuscripts, instruments, and personal items on display (including Elvis Presley's gold Cadillac). Special exhibit on Hank Williams. Admission includes a visit to the famous RCA Studio B.

Cumberland Science Musem - 800 Fort Negley Blvd. 615-862-5160. Interactive traveling exhibits, daily planetarium shows, special programs, hands-on exhibits related to health, natural, and physical sciences.

Tennessee State Museum - 5th and Deaderick. 615-741-2692. Historical and cultural museum with over 70,000 sq. feet of exhibits on life in Tennessee. Largest collection of Civil War artifacts from the western battlefield.

The Parthenon at Centennial Park - West End Avenue. 615-862-8431. A permanent art collection and visiting exhibits housed in the world's only exact replica of Athens' ancient temple. Giant statue of Athena inside the Parthenon.

Van Vechten Art Gallery - Jackson Street and D.B. Todd Blvd. on the campus of Fisk University. 615- 329-8720. A small, intimate gallery of wonderful pieces--Rivera, O'Keeffe, Cezanne, Picasso, and more. The well-organized gallery houses the Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Modern Art. The building was constructed in 1888 as a gymnasium and rededicated in 1949 to the memory of Carl Van Vechten, a New York critic and art collector who encouraged Georgia O'Keeffe to give Fisk University part of the art collection of her late husband, Alfred Stieglitz. O'Keeffe also provided funds for the renovation of the building to house the collection.

Travellers' Rest Historic House Museum - 636 Farrell Parkway, Nashville. 615-832-8197. Built by John Overton in 1799, this Federal-style farmhouse boasts the state's largest collection of pre-1840 Tennessee-made furniture. Overton also built the original Maxwell House Hotel in downtown Nashville (some called it Overton's folly because it was such a huge hotel for such a relatively small city).

Vanderbilt Fine Art Gallery - 23rd and West End Avenues. 615-322-0605. Ancient through contemporary, Eastern and Western art, with strengths in East Asian art. Call for current exhibit information.

Historic Sites

Belmont Mansion - was inspired by the architecture of Italian villas. Three miles west of downtown Nashville, it is located on the campus of Belmont University. The expansive lawns and gardens of the original estate included a private zoo of exotic animals, including alligators and monkeys, and a bear house. Call for information about hours and admission fees: 615-460-5459.

Cheekwood Mansion and Botanic Gardens - 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville. 615-353-2148 or 615-356-8000. If you like gardens and art, don't miss Cheekwood. A 55-acre estate which includes a botanical garden,a mile-long sculpture trail, a learning center, and the Museum of Art (newly renovated). Site of Nashville's Swan Ball each spring. Many activities for children and adults scheduled throughout the month. The museum is housed in the former mansion home of the Cheek family.

Belle Meade Plantation - 5025 Harding Road, Nashville 37205. 615-356-0501 or 800-270-3991. Built in 1853 after the plantation became known for its thoroughbred racehorses. Greek Revival architecture; guided tours. Carriage house, outbuildings, stables, restaurant. Open 7 days a week; closed some holidays. Jazz concerts in the summer on the lawn. Special decorations at Christmas. Call for more information. The famous Loveless Cafe has an annex site at the Belle Meade Plantation.

The Hermitage - Old Hickory Blvd., Hermitage, TN. 615-889-2941 A National Historic Landmark, The Hermitage is the home of President Andrew Jackson. Located on 650 acres, the existing Greek Revival facade is the result of a renovation in 1836. The original mansion was done in the Federal style in 1821. Allow two hours for a guided tour that includes a film, self-guided archaeology tour, and a visit to the Old Hermitage Church and Tulip Grove mansion. Special events: Garden Fair in May and Hermitage Harvest Fair in September.