Wednesday, April 21, 2010

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!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love that they have an entire barn set aside for storing wine! Is that better than a wine cellar?

I do not care for muscadine wines one little bit. I still have 3 bottles left over from a visit to a local winery in central Florida. I bought it on my 50th because it was cheap and I thought it would be good to use when I make red sangria since I add sugar to that anyway. It is NOT! I don't know why I haven't tossed it except that maybe someday, somebody may want it!

Sarge Charlie said...

I love this place, I wanna go...... I do hope Matt Man dosen't come here an learn that slaves were treated well.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

looks lovely! i think the most fun place from days of yore was cades cove. you have been there too i'm sure. i will always remember that day...

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Ya know, it's about a mile from our condo and I've never been there... You put me to shame...LOL!

Joy said...

Enjoyed the picture tour! I think my favorite historical place is Mt Vernon. We visited there at this time of year and got to tour the gardens. Just gorgeous and such a sense of history, too.

Sandee said...

Sarge made me snicker out loud. If MM came here he's find that Sandy would just delete his comments. That's my guess in any event.

I wish I could have gone with you. I've always wanted to visit a plantation.

Have a terrific day honey. Big hug. :)

ivana said...

Ciao Sandy!

Your photos are very interesting, I like historical places, you know...and i'd visit there, but it's unpossible!

Thank for share!

Hugs!