Belmont Mansion

You've heard of Nashville's country music, but what about its country estates? Belmont Mansion is one of the few surviving 19th century homes in Nashville. Originally a country estate, it is now part of the Belmont University campus. At one time it was a couple miles outside of the city proper. Although Nashville has grown, the mansion's long history still stands. Come visit the mansion to learn more about Nashville's history!

The Acklen's piano was on the move this week! We have always wanted a playable piano at the mansion, but our goal with the original piano is to preserve it, not alter it. Therefore, we decided to follow in the Acklen's footsteps and get a second piano (they owned three).

This new piano dates to around 1870. The case has a rosewood veneer and the legs are ink-grained to match. Keep an eye out for a follow-up post when we first play the instrument in the salon!

Special thanks to Kenneth Brewer and Seale Keyworks for all their help!

Belmont Mansion's Spring Garden Event only happens with the support of our friends and partners.

A huge thank you to all of you!

It’s a wrap!

"Seeking Eden" Belmont Mansion's Spring Garden Event 2026 was a smashing success!

Friday, our patrons and supporters had fun gathering at the home of Susie & Tom Campion where they partook of offerings from Tinwings (recently named by Style Blueprint as a top Nashville caterer) and viewed artist Susie Campion's beautiful studio.

Saturday, our speaker, Staci L. Catron, delighted our audience with Georgia's most historic gardens. Then guests enjoyed a reception catered by Chef's Market in the Grand Salon of the museum.

Make plans to join us next year!

Thank you to all our sponsors and donors. YOU made this happen!

It's world bicycle day! One has to wonder if we would still be holding such a celebration if all our bikes today looked like this one...

The man in this picture is believed to be Adelicia Acklen's nephew, John Boyd Hayes.

It can be hard to imagine the Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood as anything other than the streets we see today. This map shows the approximate property boundaries for the Acklen's Belmont and Montvale estates. To the north lived Adelicia's parents, Oliver and Sarah Hayes. To the east, lived Adelicia's sister Corinne and her husband, William Lawrence.

Remember, this area was three miles outside city limits in the 19th century.

Spring Garden event 2026 is almost here!
We are grateful to all our sponsors and supporters. In particular Lipman Brothers and Riverbend Nurseries for their donations to our Spring Soiree! Your support makes a tremendous difference!

Georgia's gardens offer lots of variety, as these two images from Staci Catron's book "Seeking Eden" show. These are of the east lawn and cruciform pool at Coffin Reynolds Mansion on Sapelo Island and a stone bridge crossing a ravine in Rock City Gardens on Lookout Mountain in Georgia.

Today is your last chance to get tickets for our Seeking Eden event on Saturday, May 30th. Don't miss this opportunity!
www.belmontmansion.com/seekingedenevent

Travel to a Georgia garden without ever leaving Middle-Tennessee at our Spring Garden event Saturday, May 30. This is just a sample of what Staci Catron will talk about.

Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange, Georgia is home to one of the best preserved nineteenth century designed landscapes in the southeastern United States and is the epitome of all Georgia's box gardens. This is the south facade of the house with sculptured boxwood beds.

To see even more gardens like this, get your ticket to Seeking Eden today. www.belmontmansion.com/seekingedenevent.

From now through September 7, 2026, Belmont Mansion will once again be participating in the Blue Star Museum program. This means active duty military personnel (including National Guard and Reserve) along with up to five family members can receive General Admission to the mansion for free!

To view other participating museums visit https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums