Cullum Mansion

Carthage, Tennessee's Cullum Mansion was constructed in 1848 by William Cullum. Cullum had migrated to Tennessee from Kentucky and had established a law office in the Jackson County seat of Gainesboro. In the early 1840s he moved westward to Carthage. At Carthage he continued to practice law and also became involved in politics. He constructed his home on a hill near downtown Carthage. His home was constructed in the popular Greek Revival architectural style. The home features a full height entry porch with a single door flanked by sidelights on either side and a transom above. The facade and each elevation is sheathed in brick set in American running bond. The house has chimneys on both elevations. Not long after his home was constructed, Cullum was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Whig Party. He served in the House from 1851-1855. He also served a few terms as a local judge in Carthage. Cullum lived in this house until the late 19th century when he moved to Clinton, Tennessee. Cullum died in 1896 and the home was sold by his heirs in 1898. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries the Cullum Mansion has had various owners. Today it remains privately owned and serves as a private residence. In 1982 the Cullum Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria B for its association with a significant person (Cullum), and Criteria C for its architectural significance. The Cullum Mansion is another fine example of historic preservation. Each owner since its construction has maintained the home's historic integrity and kept it in immaculate condition. At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.

Be sure to come back next week for another Throwback Thursday presented by Moore Historical Consulting.

The Hermitage

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Mansion was first constructed in 1821. It was a simple eight room Federal style home when completed. While waiting on the completion of their new home Jackson and his wife Rachel resided in a small log cabin that is still extant on the property today. While Jackson was away at the White House, a chimney fire destroyed the structure. In 1835 Jackson commissioned Joseph Reiff and William C. Hume to construct a new Greek Revival style home on the original foundation. The facade of the home would be constructed using native limestone, while the rear elevation would primarily feature Federal style brick architecture. Both the facade and the rear elevation feature full height entry porches supported by Greek Revival style limestone columns. Agriculturally, The Hermitage was one of the largest producers of Cotton in the area. The slave population ranged from 9 in 1804, to 137 in 1850. Notable figures in United States history to spend the night at The Hermitage included Sam Houston, the Marquis de Lafayette, James K. Polk, and Martin Van Buren. When Andrew and Rachel Jackson died they were buried in a tomb to the east of their mansion. During the Civil War soldiers from both sides were fascinated by the elaborate architecture and gardens of The Hermitage and many of them took the time to visit the home. The Hermitage remained as a family residence until 1893. Up until that time, the home had always been inhabited by descendants of Andrew Jackson. A group of ladies known as the Ladies' Hermitage Association purchased the home and what was left of the original plantation. They restored the mansion to its original appearance and opened it to the public. Visitation grew significantly every year, and today The Hermitage is the fourth most visited presidential residence. On April 16, 1998 disaster struck The Hermitage. An F-3 tornado touched down in Nashville, crossing The Hermitage property around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Luckily the mansion, its original buildings, and the tombs of the Jacksons were spared. The same could not be said for many of the trees. Some of the trees that were destroyed had been planted by Andrew Jackson. These trees were preserved by the Gibson Guitar Cooperation who manufactured two hundred guitars as part of their new "Old Hickory" line. In 2003 the Ladies' Hermitage Association was able to purchase the final parcel of land to restore the plantation back to its original boundaries. The Hermitage was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and was also designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The Hermitage is another great example of successful historic preservation. At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.

 Life at The Hermitage in the early 19th century. 

Original slave cabins. These two structures were constructed from the original log cabin that Andrew and Rachel Jackson lived in while their mansion was being constructed.

The tombs of Andrew and Rachel Jackson.

The rear elevation of The Hermitage mixes Federal and Greek Revival architectural styles. The Hermitage served as a catalyst to the rise in popularity of the Greek Revival style in Tennessee.

Aerial view of the aftermath of April 16, 1998.

Be sure and come back next week for another Throwback Thursday presented by Moore Historical Consulting.

Oaklands Mansion

Murfreesboro, Tennessee's Oaklands Mansion was built in 1818 by Dr. James and Sally Murfree Maney. This home is one of the best surviving examples of Italianate architecture in Tennessee. The home was built in a series of phases throughout various decades, with its present appearance having been completed around 1857. Oaklands is perhaps best known for its role during the Civil War. In July 1862 Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest accepted the Union surrender of Murfreesboro in one of the front rooms of Oaklands following his first raid into Murfreesboro. Following the war Maney's son Lewis, who had inherited the house a few years before the war following the death of his father, filed a $27,000 war damage claim for the home and property. The younger Maney was responsible for renovating the home in the Italianate style. When he died, his widow was forced to sell the home to pay off his legal debts. Elizabeth Swope purchased the home and property for $8,000, which was later passed to George Darrow. Darrow was Murfreesboro's first millionaire and was also the godfather of Frank Gumm. Gumm was the father of Frances Gumm, also known as Judy Garland. This family inhabited the home until 1954. From 1954-1957 Oaklands sat vacant. The home became a target for vandals, and eventually was placed on the demolition list by the City of Murfreesboro. In 1959 a group of concerned female citizens approached the City of Murfreesboro about preserving the old home. The city agreed and deeded the property to the new group known as "Oaklands Association" for $1 dollar. Only one stipulation was made as part of the agreement. This stipulation stated that the property must become a museum within three years. The house was restored, and the stipulation was met. In 1974 Oaklands was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today Oaklands still operates as a museum. The preservation of Oaklands is one of the best examples of historic preservation in the State of Tennessee. It shows what can happen when a group of concerned citizens get together and save a vital part of our history. At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.

Tennessee Historical Commission historic marker at Oaklands. This marker gives visitors information on what occurred around the mansion during the Civil War.




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Lorraine Motel

The Lorraine Motel was constructed in 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee. It originally consisted of sixteen rooms, all on one level. From 1925 to 1945 it was known as the Windsorlorrine Hotel and later the Marquette Hotel. In 1945 Walter Bailey purchased the hotel and renamed it "Lorraine" after his wife "Loree" and the song "Sweet Lorraine." During the years of segregation and later the Civil Rights movement, Bailey ran his hotel as an upscale lodging option for African-Americans. He later renovated the building, adding a second floor and swimming pool. During the 1960s notable guests included Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. The Lorraine Motel is most famous for being the place where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. On April 4, 1968 King was shot while standing on the balcony outside his room. The shot was fired by James Earl Ray from a boarding house across the street. Following the assassination, Bailey took rooms 306 and 307 out of public use as a memorial to King. Bailey later converted the hotel into a facility for housing low income citizens. In 1991 the hotel was converted into a museum and in 2014 it became an entity of the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee State Museum as part as a larger complex known as the National Civil Right Museum. In 2016 it became affiliated with the Smithsonian. The Lorraine Motel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 as part of the South Main Historic District nomination. The Lorraine Motel is another wonderful example of historic preservation done right. At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.

Be sure to come back next Thursday for another Throwback Thursday presented by Moore Historical Consulting.