Belmont Mansion

Built in 1850, Nashville's Belmont Mansion was once the center of a 180 acre estate just south of downtown Nashville. The house was built for Joseph and Adelicia Acklen and is a mixture of the Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles. William Strickland, architect of the Tennessee State Capitol, is believed to be the architect of the Acklen home, however no evidence exists that proves this. Greek Revival style elements that are most prominent on the Belmont Mansion are the columns on the facade. Italianate style elements that are the most prominent include the floor to ceiling windows, ornamentation on the roof line, and porticos which flank the main entry door. These porticos are much like the ones found on the Clover Bottom and Two Rivers mansions in east Nashville. The interior of the home contains a central hallway with a single centered staircase. The home is equipped with two floors, with an observatory tower on the roof. The observatory tower is a unique touch, as it was used historically for viewing astronomical wonders, the estate, and downtown Nashville. The estate and mansion were originally known as Belle Monte, but changed over time. The Acklen's bought the property and built the home as a Summer retreat from their seven cotton plantations in Louisiana. Adelicia was actually the deeded owner of all seven of these plantations. During her lifetime, she was considered "the wealthiest woman in the South." The grounds of the Belmont Mansion featured gardens, conservatories, a lake and a zoo. The conservatories featured tropical fruits and flowers and the zoo featured bears, monkeys, and alligators. The Acklen's had six children, including twins who died of scarlet fever in 1855. Joseph Acklen died in 1863 while in Louisiana overseeing Adelicia's cotton plantations. During the first two weeks of December 1864, 13,000 Union troops camped on the grounds of the Belmont Mansion. The home was never harmed, nor inhabited by either army. Alfred L. Crabb's book Dinner at Belmont tells of the social history of the Belmont Mansion beginning with the Civil War. During the Battle of Nashville, the mansion served as the line of battle. Shortly after the conclusion of the war, Adelicia became interested in collecting art. She traveled all over Europe obtaining works of art and filling Belmont Mansion with them. Shortly before her 1887 death, Adelicia sold the home and property to Lewis T. Baxter for approximately $54,000. In 1890, the home was opened as a women's academy. In 1913 the school merged with Ward's Seminary and became Ward-Belmont. In 1951 the Tennessee Baptist Convention purchased the property and renamed the school Belmont College, now known today as Belmont University. In 1971, the Belmont Mansion was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A and C for its historical and architectural significance. The Belmont Mansion is currently operated by Belmont University and the Belmont Mansion Association and is open to the pubic for tours.

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.