South Central Tennessee Tourism - Plantations

Tennessee Museum of Early Farm Life is located behind Rippavilla Plantation, U.S. Highway 31.  More than 500 items on display, many dating to the early 1800's.  Most are from Tennessee but visitors from other states are contributing items unique to their area.  Open  April - October, Friday and Saturday 9 am - 3:30 pm. Admission Charged. For more information or directions call 931-486-9037.

Rippavilla Plantation located at 5700 Main Street, Spring Hill, TN. The site of General Hood's breakfast with his commanding officers prior to the ill-fated Battle of Franklin.  Built for Nathaniel Cheairs in 1852.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Open Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm; Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm. Last tour begins at 4 pm.  Winter hours: December 15 - March, Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm.  Admission is charged.  For more information on special events or directions please call 931-486-9037.

James K. Polk Home located at 301W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN  Built in 1816, home of the 11th U.S. president.  Come tour entire home and beautiful gardens.  Open Monday - Saturday April - October 9 am - 5 pm. November - March, 9 am - 4 pm. Open Sunday 1-5 pm. Admission is charged. Special rates for groups of 10 or more.  For more information on special events or directions call 931-388-2354 or visit www.jameskpolk.com

 

Join us for the "Prelude to a Civil War" To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and expand site interpretation of a controversial earlier conflict, the James K. Polk Home will present the original exhibition  "Prelude to a Civil War: The U.S. - Mexican War, 1846-1848" From June 3 - November 6, 2011 at the Polk Presidential Hall.  Using the Hall's entire gallery, the exhibit will feature historic daguerreotypes, paintings, prints, uniforms, weaponry, soldiers' accoutrements, and other military artifacts on loan from six museums and six private collectors.  Don't miss this great exhibit.  $5 per adult and $3 per child.  Combination tickets that include both the exhibit and the Polk Home will also be available.  The site is open 9 am - 5 pm on Mon - Sat.   1 - 5 on Sunday.  

Ferguson Hall located at 5350 Main Street, Spring Hill, TN.  A handsome plantation home most noted for an incident that transpired there in 1863.  Confederate General Earl Van Dorn was shot dead by a jealous husband.  Tours by appointment.  For more information on special events or directions, please call 931-486-2274, ext. 227.

Elm Springs is located at 740 Mooresville Pike, Columbia, TN.  A fine example of a Greek Revival mansion built in 1837.  On the National Register of Historic Places, it now serves as the national headquarters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  Admission charged.  Group rates are available. Open Tuesday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm. For more information on special events or directions please call 931-380-1844.

Athenaeum Rectory - located at 808 Athenaeum Street, Columbia, TN.  Built in 1835, it served as the rectory for an elegant finishing school for girls.  Open for tours February through the 3rd week in December.  Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm; Sunday 1-4 pm.  Admission is charged.  For more information on special events or directions, please call 931-381-4822.