Belair

Nashville's Belair Mansion was constructed in 1832 in present day Donelson. The land in which the home was constructed was part of a land grant given to John Harding for military service. Harding was the owner of the Belle Meade Plantation. The home was built for Harding's daughter Elizabeth and her husband Joseph Clay. In 1838, the Clay's sold the home and land to outgoing Nashville mayor William Nichol. Belair is a five bay Federal style structure, with a Classical Revival style two story portico. The central hall staircase is an exact copy of the one found inside Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Mansion. Wings on the side elevations were designed to mimic the Hermitage as well. Belair contains a secret room accessed only by opening a window and stepping down into it. This room no doubt, came in handy during the Civil War. Following William Nichol's death in 1878, his widow sold Belair. The property passed through a series of owners throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. As Nashville grew, the area around Belair changed. Modern commercial and residential developments popped up all around. Lebanon Pike (U.S. Hwy 70) was constructed at the front of the property, and Briley Parkway (TN Hwy 155) were constructed at its west. Still Belair stood like a rock. In 1971, Belair was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for its architectural significance. In 2017, the home was purchased and plans are currently underway to convert the home into a Bed and Breakfast.

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.