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Belmont Mansion

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Belmont Mansion now open Thursday-Monday only.

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Belmont Mansion is one of the most elaborate antebellum homes in the South. An Italianate villa constructed between 1849 and 1853, as the home of Adelicia Acklen, one of the wealthiest women in the South prior to the Civil War. Through the years, Belmont served as a temporary headquarters of the Union army, plus an all-girls college.

Highlights:

Hear the fascinating story of Adelicia Acklen
Built in 1853, Belmont Mansion is the largest antebellum house museum in Tennessee
Originally over 19,000 square feet and 36 rooms
Walk the grounds which still contain the largest 19th century cast iron gazebo
View the most important collection of 19th Century American sculpture
Belmont Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places
See Belmont Mansion's collection of over 128 pieces of art

One of the wealthiest women of the antebellum South and owner of Belmont Estate, Adelicia Acklen was born in 1817. Her father was a prominent Nashville lawyer, businessman and cousin to President Rutherford B. Hayes. At age twenty-two she married Issac Franklin, a wealthy cotton planter and slave trader, who was twenty-eight years her senior. After seven years of marriage, he died leaving his widow an inheritance valued at $1million.

Three years after Franklin's death, Adelicia married Joseph Acklen, a lawyer from Alabama, who signed a marriage contract, forsaking control of all her businesses, property, and assets. Acklen, a superb businessman and plantation manager, tripled his wife's fortune by 1860.

The couple began immediate construction of Belmont Mansion, a nineteen-thousand square-foot villa, now maintained as a house museum. The Acklens lived a sumptuous lifestyle. The Belmont estate included a zoo, aviary, water tower, gas refinery, bath house, bowling alley, conservatory, a lake and elaborate gardens. The public was allowed to visit the property every day but Sundays.

When Acklen died during the Civil War, Adelicia faced financial ruin when the Confederate army threatened to burn her cotton to keep it from Union possession. Adelicia boldly rushed and secretly negotiated with both sides to save her fortune. She secured Confederate promises not to burn her cotton, while the Union army agreed to help her move the cotton to be shipped overseas. Adelicia sold her cotton to the Rothschild's of London for a reported $960,000 in gold.

After the Civil War, Adelicia married Dr. Cheatham, a respected Nashville physician. Cheatham also signed a marriage contract. The couple were married twenty years. In 1886 Adelicia sold Belmont, left Nashville and Cheatham, and moved to Washington, D.C. She died on May 4, 1887. Her spirit and legacy live on today at Belmont Mansion. Over 25,000 people from all over the globe come to visit Adelicia's magnificent home each year to experience American history. Belmont Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Belmont Mansion Association, a private, not-for-profit historic preservation society, administers the restoration and operation of the mansion, and is funded by rental events, admissions, and fundraising activities.

Step back in time and step into history. Get your eTickets today for the Belmont Mansion tour!

The Belmont Mansion / Estate

The Grand Salon - The Most Ornate Interior Built In Antebellum Tennessee

Visit Adelicia's Magnificent Home

Belmont Mansion Is On The National Register Of Historic Places

Adelicia Acklen Was One Of The Wealthiest Women Of The South

One Of The Few Homes 19th Century Homes Who's Story Revolves Around A Woman

"The Village Blacksmith," which was inspired by a Longfellow poem.

See More Details: Schedules, Locations, etc.

Boston Old Town Trolley with free Harbor Cruise

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Belmont Mansion

Operating Times:

Current schedule-Self Guided Tours only: Thursday through Monday. Thu, Fri, Sat, Mon: 10:00-4:30; Sun: 11:00-4:30. General Admission with trained guides along the way for interaction. Closed 4th of July, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day. Also Closed December 3rd for Annual Christmas Luncheon.