Yesterday, I had the pure pleasure of meeting a bookclub at Belmont Mansion (the setting of my Belmont Mansion novels) for a delicious luncheon, wonderful sharing time, and then a tour of the mansion. I never tire of being in Adelicia Acklen’s beautiful home.
Pay no attention to that woman in the background flashing us. Those Victorians and their naked statues… Sheesh!
A luncheon and tour package featuring Jerry Trescott (Belmont’s curator and architectural historian extraordinaire) and moi was auctioned off in a fundraiser for Belmont Mansion, and the very generous Shirley Reynolds (seated third back on the right) won the bid! (Thank you, Shirley! What a pleasure to meet you and the other ladies yesterday.)
These gals were such fun! And I always enjoy providing color commentary to Jerry’s marvelous “A Lasting Impression novel” tour he gives readers touring the antebellum mansion.
Here we are on the steps of the dual cantilevered spiral staircase.
I also got my first look at the beautifully reproduced detailed miniature of The Sleeping Children (by artist William Henry Rinehart), one of the statues Adelicia purchased on her grand tour of Europe in 1865—and a statue that’s prominently featured in A Lasting Impression (Sutton and Claire’s story).
The Sleeping Children in Belmont Mansion’s front hall
Adelicia Acklen ordered this piece in Rome on February 27, 1866 and instructed that the names “Laura & Corinne” be carved on the front left, and “Twin Sisters” be carved on the back. This was a type of memorial to two of her ten children. Laura and Corinne Acklen died at the age of two of scarlet fever. Adelicia placed this piece in the Front Hall—in the same location where it is today.
And here’s the detailed replica that’s now available, and that I brought home with me yesterday!
Isn’t it lovely?
Contact Belmont Mansion about getting your own
replica of The Sleeping Children at mansioneducation@belmont.edu
I’m currently working with the mansion on a Christmas gift package which will contain this replica of The Sleeping Children, along with autographed copies of A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare, and a choice of a Belmont Mansion coaster.
I’m so grateful for the many ways the folks with Belmont Mansion (and Belle Meade Plantation) partner with me in writing these stories and keeping history alive.
What’s the last historical site you’ve visited? And by chance, did you bring home a souvenir of some sort, too?
Tammy
A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare available now
A Note Yet Unsung releases February 2017
More about the Belmont Mansion novels
Tamera Alexander
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Now that would be an awesome way to explore that amazing home. Looks like fun, Tammy!
It was such fun, Cara. Italy looks fun too! (LOL!!)
That is an awesome experience to have touring the mansion!! Super jealous! The last historical site I’ve visited was the haunted house of Delphine Lalaurie in New Orleans! A very chilling experience! Would love to visit Belmont one day!!
Oh!! Just had to go look up that house in New Orleans, Joelene. Oh… Horrible. Truly. Chilling, indeed. : (
Hi Tamera. Memory isn’t so good lately so I’m going to say the old churches and cabins in Cades Cove , Smokey Mountain National park in Gatlinburg Tennessee. I loved visiting the old churches and looking through the old Bibles that people have left there over the years. I loved going in the old cabins and snapping pictures . Love history and visiting these kinds of places.
Oh yes to Cades Cove, Shirley. Wish I could ‘walk through time’ when I’m there (as long as I come back to my A/C and iPhone). Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the mansion and also the sleeping children statue that is beautiful.I am looking forward to your new book next year I have it preordered at Amazon and I look forward to reading it and adding it to my collection of your books I have all of them.Keep up the great writing!
Thank you, Diana! I’m pretty excited to share A Note Yet Unsung with y’all! Lots of classical music history in that one, and of course, more of Adelicia. ; ) Thanks for reading!
Enjoyed these photos, Tammy, and I’m sure the Belmont Mansion employees ADORE you! 🙂 How wonderful that you’ve written these amazing books that incorporate real people and history while weaving a story your readers LOVE. 🙂
Hugs from Georgia! Patti Jo
P.S. May I confess something? I think it was 2 years ago (?) you shared a buttermilk pie recipe that sounded SO scrumptious, and I told you I planned to make one. Well….I haven’t yet….BUT I still plan to (hopefully this Fall)!
Whew, I feel better now. 😉
ROFLOL. Buttermilk Confessions of the Soul, Patti Jo! We should write a book together! ; ) No worries on that pie. It’ll still be there when you’re ready for it. SO excited to see you next week. We MUST grab a pic together!!
I visited France in March. Chenonceau Chateau is always a favorite. This time I brought home lots of books in French for research. Your pictures are wonderful!
Oh, Marguerite, how wonderful! Sounds glorious. Do you have pics from your trip posted anywhere? Would love to see. : ) Thanks for visiting today.
Gee, I live in a historical town, Madison, Indiana but my husband was raised in a historical town, Galena, Illinois, home of President Grant. We’ve seen Grant’s home and numerous places over the years. My 92 year old Mother in Law still has more energy than I do. While we were stationed at Ft. Carson, Co, we saw many things in Colorado Springs, not really things as much as pictures. We were also stationed in Bangkok, Thailand nearly 40 years ago. Lots of pictures. But one thing I learned was buy postcards of the places you really loved because pictures do not always turn out the way you want. Since we lived in Bangkok, Thailand nearly 2 years, we brought back many things. But those girls you have is a very precious piece.
Nancy, you are a world traveler, woman! What experiences you’ve had. And what a blessing. I smiled at the mention of your MIL’s energy level. Gracious, I admire that! Thanks so much for sharing!
What a lovely event in a beautiful setting! I enjoyed the pictures.
We live an hour away from Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown – lots of history there. However, this summer we visited Mount Desert Island in Maine and took a boat tour through the islands, stopping on Little Cranberry Island where we learned about ‘the summer people’ who frequented the islands from NYC, Boston, and other big cities to escape the heat during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They were transported between the islands by the local people. Such an interesting place and step back in time.
Betty, visiting your area is still on my bucket list! I’ve never been to Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown… Sigh. Some day! Your trip to Mount Desert Island sounds heavenly. Love the history! Blessings on your day!
Last year I visited the Biltmore, what a beautiful place! I would love to visit the Belmont Mansion too. I didn’t bring anything back from that trip except pictures and notecards, but I did brings back some things from a trip to India six months before – scarves, placemats, and a little cat (not live). I’m looking forward to your next book!
While in Charleston at the end of June, my kids and I visited Fort Sumter. We left with a souvenir cup and my children got one of the ball-in-the-cup games. Even though they are young (6 and 2 2year-olds), it was so fun sharing my love of history with them! Next month we are going to New Jersey and hope to get over to Philadelphia to see some historic sites!