Rippavilla Plantation

Construction began on the Rippavilla Plantation in 1851, by Nathaniel Cheairs IV. The Cheairs family had lived in the Spring Hill, Tennessee area since 1811. Construction was not complete until 1855, due to the fact that the Cheairs family had construction halted three separate times. Each time, Nathaniel Cheairs was unhappy with how the house was being constructed. While the house was under construction, the Cheairs family lived in a two story log cabin on the property. The family finally moved in in 1855. Once completed, the new home featured a full height entry porch, in the Greek Revival architectural style. The home also featured four fireplaces. The interior was decorated with elaborate wallpaper, flooring, and furnishings. A slave cabin was constructed behind the house. It is unknown how the plantation received its name. Their stay did not last long however. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, the family moved out. Nathaniel Cheairs raised two companies of men for the Confederate Army. Cheairs rose to the rank of "major." At the Battle of Fort Donelson, Cheairs delivered General Ulysses Grant's "unconditional surrender" to General Simon Buckner. In 1864, during General John Bell Hood's last gasp effort to take back Tennessee, Rippavilla served as his headquarters before the Battle of Franklin. After the battle, Rippavilla served as a field hospital. The home had also served as headquarters to Union troops. On the front porch of the house, it is believed that Nathan Bedford Forrest threatened to beat up Hood. When the war ended, the Cheairs family moved back to Rippavilla. Nathaniel and his wife Susan continued to reside at Rippavilla until her death in 1893. Nathaniel suffered a stroke while visiting family, and died soon after in 1914. His son William took possession of Rippavilla. The younger Cheairs maintained possession of the home until 1920, when he sold it. Between 1920 and 1997, not much is known about the house, or who occupied it. Large modern developments sprang up on all sides, but the historic Rippavilla home stood the test of time. In 1997 the home was restored by the Saturn Corporation, whose plant was right across the street, the United Auto Workers Association, and the Maury County government. Rippavilla was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Today the Rippavilla Plantation consists of only 98 acres. The slave cabin is still extant, and many of the slaves who worked on the plantation are interned in a slave cemetery on the property. In May of 2017, the City of Spring Hill accepted the donation of the Rippavilla Plantation, by Rippavilla Incorporated. The city government will oversee the continued preservation and maintenance of the home and grounds, while the Friends of Rippavilla will continue to oversee fundraising efforts. The Rippavilla Plantation is truly a great historic preservation success story. At Moore Historical Consulting, my #1 priority is historic preservation. For every Rippavilla, there are countless other historic properties that need immediate attention. It is also vital to continue to preserve, maintain, and promote historic sites that have already been saved. Do you know of an historic site that needs attention? If so contact Moore Historical Consulting today to get started.

Rippavilla home during the Civil War.

Interior of the Rippavilla home.

Slave cabin at Rippavilla.

Slave cemetery at Rippavilla.

Tennessee Historical Commission historical marker at the Rippavilla Plantation.

Be sure to come back next Thursday for another Throwback Thursday presented by Moore Historical Consulting. At Moore Historical Consulting, I make exploring your past fun!!