Sumner County Historic Sites Kickoff

Sumner County Historic Sites Kickoff
April TBD 2022
Various historic site locations around Sumner County

Sumner County, Tennessee, has a rich past filled with fascinating stories that are sure to leave an imprint on those who interact with such history. And luckily, Sumner County has more than its fair share of amazing historic sites and museums to explore!  Join these participating sites as they celebrate the seasonal opening of Sumner County, Tennessee’s historic sites and museums! Make a day of it to share in the history of Sumner County, Tennessee!

Please be patient at each site as implementation of the Tennessee Pledge and other safeguards that protect guests may cause delays. Use best practice social distancing measures and wearing a mask is highly recommended.

2021 Schedule

Castalian Springs

Historic Cragfont – 200 Cragfont Rd
Tours: 10am – 3pm
Cost: Free
Parts of the historic house will be open for tours during the Kickoff. Revolutionary War and War of 1812 veteran General James Winchester lived at Cragfont, a stately house in the hills of rural Sumner County. Learn the storied history of General Winchester and his family’s life.

The Rogan Cottage and Parker Cabin at Bledsoe’s Fort Historical Park – 2923 Hartsville Pike
Tours: 10am – 3pm
Cost: Free
The circa 1800 Rogan Cottage and Parker Cabin at Bledsoe’s Fort Historical Park in Castalian Springs will be open. Period-dressed long hunters will conduct tours of the houses and a half-faced shelter will be built in the woods close to the Parker Cabin. Shelters of this sort were built by the long hunters during their hunts in the wilderness.

Wynnewood State Historic Site – 210 Old Highway 25
Tours: 10am – 3pm
Cost: Free
Parts of the historic house will be open for tours during the Kickoff. Wynnewood, one of the largest log structures in Tennessee, was home to a mineral springs resort after it was built in 1828; in 2008 the structure was struck by a tornado but was luckily saved and restored.

Cottontown

Bridal House – 2315 Highway 25 W
Tours: 10am – 3pm
Cost: Free
Tour this 1819 log structure with period-dressed interpreters, enjoy 19th fiddle music and learn about Fraktur art, elaborate folk art created by the Pennsylvania Dutch from 1740-1860.

Gallatin

Bledsoe Creek State Park – 400 Zieglers Fort Rd
Tours: 10am – 2pm
Cost: Free
Rich in history, the park was once a hunting ground for Native American tribes. Take in some of the natural splendor on one of the many hiking trails and enjoy the picturesque views of Old Hickory Lake!

Douglass-Clark House – 2115 Long Hollow Pike
Tours: 9am – 5pm
Cost: Free
Tour one of Sumner County’s earliest courthouses from 1788-1790 and learn about how the family’s life at the house changed when four sons enlisted in the Civil War. Also situated on the Station Camp Greenway on the creek, a great place for exercise and leisure walks! Refreshments and live music will be provided.

Historic Rose Mont – 810 S. Water Ave
Tours: 10am – 3pm
Cost: Free
Starting at 10am, Historic Rose Mont is offering self-guided tours through this unique antebellum house, the former home of Judge Jo Conn Guild. Learn about Guild’s thoroughbreds & his time as a prisoner during the Civil War! The grounds and self-guided tours of the house open at 10am and are free. Rose Mont will also have reenactors and Victorian-era music!

Historic Stonewall – 332 E. Main St
Tours: 10am – 2pm
Cost: Free
Stonewall is an 1831 antebellum house that is staged to appear as it would in the 1850s, and during the kickoff, guests will be able to tour the house. It is currently owned and operated by the Sumner County Museum.

Sumner County Museum – 183 W. Main St
Tours: 10am – 2pm
Cost: Free
Tour the museum for free and explore the county’s history through a variety of exhibits and displays including Native American artifacts, vehicles, machinery, photos, and more! Also see the original signs of Randy’s Record Shop and the Sumner Drive-In! Next door is Trousdale Place, which is also free, so be sure to visit both!

Trousdale Place – 183 W Main St.
Tours: 10am – 2pm
Cost: Free
Trousdale Place will be open to the public for tours. The former home of Tennessee Governor William Trousdale is an example of a city house, as it sits in the heart of downtown Gallatin. The Sumner County Museum next door is also open & free!

Hendersonville

Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center, Hendersonville – 1017 Antebellum Cir
Tours: 10am – 5pm
Cost: Free
Built around 1860 and used as a field hospital during the Civil War, Monthaven now hosts a variety of exhibits and events throughout the year. Art, photography, classes, and more grace the large antebellum rooms and exhibits change throughout the year. Past exhibits included works by Autumn de Forest, Alexandre Renoir, William Lee Golden, and Marty Stuart! The featured exhibit previewing during the Kickoff will be the 45th annual James B. Hawkins Best of Sumner County student art show. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

Rock Castle State Historic Site – 139 Rock Castle Ln.
Tours: 10am – 5pm
Cost: $8/adult, $7/senior, $6/child (discounted prices)
Instead of regular guided tours, Historic Rock Castle will be completely open for guests to walk through at their leisure. Docents will be on site to share the stories and history of Tennessee’s earliest days. Colonial-era musket and cannon demonstrations will be at 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm. Rock Castle State Historic Site is one of the oldest historic sites in Sumner County. It was constructed for Daniel Smith, a prominent figure in the county’s early history; he was even credited with naming the state of Tennessee! The grounds of the property will also be open for guests to explore and enjoy stunning views of Old Hickory Lake!

Portland

Days Gone By Tractor Show & Threshing – 122 Davis St
Tours: 8am – 2pm
Cost: $5 per person (kids 10 & under free)
The museum will be open to the public on Saturday. Tours will last at least one hour with the last tour starting at 1pm. This incredible museum is stuffed full of amazing antiques from tractors to automobiles to home appliances to tools and so much more! Prepare to be in awe of this vast collection that truly is a blast from the past!