Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation is a 30 acre historical site six miles west of Nashville. It represents a history of agriculture and thoroughbred breeding success without equal in the south. For over 200 years, the Harding and Jackson families opened their doors to the mansion, built in 1853. But after hard times and acreage sold off to try to keep the plantation intact, about three or four other families lived in the mansion until it was sold to the local historical society.

This is actually a duplex slave cabin. They were built up off the ground to supposedly help keep down the spread of diseases. Slaves were reportedly treated well here.

This is the dairy barn, used today to store wine...

Below is a Victoria carriage, named in honor of Queen Victoria and very popular after the Civil War. General Jackson was known to be Grand Marshall of many Nashville parades, so this was likely the vehicle used for such occasions. It was a very expensive carriage at the time.

Notice the beautiful brick floor of the carriage house, which still has horse stalls along the side walls.

I'm glad we got to see this beautiful example of the old south, however, I'm happy that I live in modern times, with much better indoor plumbing! And no, we did not sample the cuisine...just the wine. Unfortunately, it is too early in the wine season, so there were no reds (our favorite) to sample. The pinot wannabe was OK, not great, and the muscadine wine was pretty awful. We did not even try the sweet wines, although friend Dan did and bought a bottle.

Please share the favorite historical place you've visited. I'd love to hear about it!