West Meade

Nashville's West Meade was constructed in 1886 for Howell Edmunds Jackson and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Harding. Jackson was a United States Senator and a Supreme Court Justice. The couple built their new home on the grounds of Jackson's father in law's Belle Meade Plantation. The site chosen was on 2,600 acres of land that Mary Elizabeth had been given by her father in the western portion of his property, and was thus named West Meade. To differentiate the main house from the newer one, Jackson constructed it in the Victorian architectural style. The facade of the house features four bays, with a centralized three story porch or tower. Ornate brackets, balustrades, and transoms also allow West Meade to properly convey its Victorian architectural style. The red brick used to construct the walls were fired on the property, and the structure sits on a native limestone foundation. Nine rooms are found downstairs, with eleven on the second floor, and a ballroom and widow's walks on the third floor. Jackson continued many of the Belle Meade traditions, most notably the raising of thoroughbred horses. By 1906, Belle Meade and West Meade were sold out of the Harding and Jackson families respectively. Both homes were preserved and became private residences, however the land around both houses were developed and became known as Belle Meade and West Meade. In 1975, West Meade was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A and C for its association with political figures and its significance in agriculture and architecture. Today Belle Meade serves as a house museum while West Meade remains a private residence.

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.