A Step Forward…and Backward
I am a history nerd. I admit it. I happily own it.
I love antebellum homes, old 18th century log cabins, European castles, walking through cemeteries, and generally stepping back in time. I love diving into history and resurfacing again with unique and wonderful treasures from the past that I then weave into “true” fiction.
My sixteenth historical novel, With This Pledge, released last month, and I’m so grateful to you wonderful and ever-so-faithful readers for receiving it so enthusiastically (y’all totally rock!)! With This Pledge is set against the true history of the Battle of Franklin (Civil War, 1864) and the Carnton home in Franklin, Tennessee that served as a Confederate hospital.
Knowing you’re walking the halls of Carnton’s history with me, that you’re growing to know—and even love—these people I’ve written about, people who really lived and who left behind lasting impressions, means the world to me.
Another antebellum home I’ve written about is Belmont Mansion in Nashville, the setting of my Belmont Mansion trilogy.
I was at Belmont recently and got to “step back in time” yet again as the original flooring from Adelicia Acklen’s day was revealed after nearly 130 years of being covered. What a thrill! (Did I mention I’m a history nerd?)
Belmont Mansion has begun an enormous restoration project—transforming the grand salon floor to its original painted black and white “tiles” as it was in Adelicia’s day—and as it is in the Belmont Mansion novels. We get a first glimpse of that floor here in A Lasting Impression when Claire, the heroine, first arrives at Belmont . . .
(START READING A Lasting Impression now)
When I was at Belmont three weeks ago, I took a picture of the original flooring that Adelicia Acklen had painted to look like black and white marbleized tile, which was in high fashion during that era. Here’s part of the original flooring . . .
Even more fascinating was when Jerry Trescott (Belmont Mansion’s architectural historian and my dear history-loving comrade) explained how the black and white painted tiles were “marbleized”—the person would dip their fingers in the paint and then drag them back across the surface of the painted tiles in a wavy and irregular pattern, working to give that particular tile the look of real marble.
And what did they find when they uncovered the current floor to reveal the original floor? A handprint!
Can you see the faint outline of a handprint on the floor just to the right of my hand? That’s one huge handprint. Jerry said it was likely the handprint of a male slave who worked on this floor under the tutelage of the painter overseeing the project. I wish I knew his name, who he was. I would love to know his story. Was he a believer in Christ? I hope so. I bent down on the floor that afternoon and pressed my hand into the imprint of his, hoping I’ll get to meet him…one day.
Each time I’m at Belmont (and the other antebellum homes I write about), I’m keenly aware of the fact that these homes were built with slave labor. These homes stand today not only as tangible reminders of America’s history, but as testament to a horrific time in America’s past.
Transatlantic slavery was an abhorrent evil. And as President Lincoln professed, this country had to bear a price for that wickedness. Yet there is more slavery in the world today than back then. It seems unimaginable, but it’s true. If you’d like to know more about fighting to combat this evil in our world, visit www.inourbackyard.org.
In closing, after much deliberation on how to accomplish the restoration of the grand salon floor, Belmont Mansion decided to cover the original floor with a new floor. BUT! They’ve installed the new floor over the original floor with a system of “spacers” in place so that Adelicia’s floor will be preserved for future generations. (History nerd within me is cheering wildly!)
Here’s a glimpse of the restoration project currently underway . . .
As Lauren Batte stated in a recent Belmont Mansion publication, “We’ll be basing the [floor] designs on the ones artisans created nearly 160 years ago and will leave a portion of the original floor exposed for viewing and future study. Additionally, the location of the Salon’s fountain and the service stair will be indicated on the new floor.”
It really does look beautiful, and I believe Adelicia Acklen would be pleased at the painstaking effort that’s being given to the home she and her husband Joseph built in 1853.
So what do you “nerd out” over? Don’t be shy. Share! Are you a history nerd like me? : )
Blessings on this first Tuesday of the month!
Tamera
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I am a history nerd too! And now that I know about your Belmont Mansion book series, I can’t wait to read them! I lived in west Nashville a short time and passed by Belmont often, but never made the time to go see it, which I regret, of course. Now I can see it through your eyes when I read your books! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, Lisha, my history-loving sister! How cool that you lived here. And the Belmont Mansion is waiting to welcome you anytime! ; ) Just FYI… I’m hosting another SOUTHERN MANSION READER WEEKEND in spring 2020 where we share a meal at and tour all three mansions (Belmont, Belle Meade and Carnton), just in case that might be of interest. ; ) Thank you for reading!
I enjoy historical books of actual places. I have all your books I have been able to locate except Among the Fair Magnolias. That is on my list. I have been unable to find To Mend a Dream in paper back and I don’t do kindle, etc since I share my books with others, then when my friends have read them, I donate them to the local library unless it is some I just “cannot part with”. Always looking for your next book!
Thank you, Emogene, for reading so faithfully and for sharing my love of history. And about To Mend a Dream… That Belle Meade novella (To Mend a Dream) only comes in ebook UNLESS you want to purchase it in print along with three other wonderful Southern novellas. That’s the Among the Fair Magnolia’s collection (4 novellas), of which To Mend a Dream is one. Hope that helps, and thanks again for reading, friend. And for sharing my books with others!
I ordered Among the Fair Magnolias from my local B&N and it came within 5 days.
Thanks, Betty!
I finished ‘With this Pledge’ a few days ago, and la-la-loved it! (5-starred it on Goodreads!) So much so that for my ‘historical’ birthday celebration I told my friends I wanted to visit Carnton at the end of this month. (We’re adding Carter House to our tour as well.) Super excited to see where Lizzie and Roland met and the home that played such an integral part of the Civil War.
I visited Belmont after reading your series spotlighting that mansion. You may remember me telling you that I squealed (LOUDLY!) in delight when I saw your book in their gift shop….much to the shoppers surprise. 🙂
Thanks for bringing history alive through your storytelling and being an unabashed history nerd.
Thank YOU, Amy, for reading and walking these halls of history with me. Thank you, too, for that fab review on Goodreads. Reviews are crucial to new readers considering a purchase. So bless you! Great on seeing Carnton too. Blessings on your trip and pls share pics from your pilgrimage!
Historical fiction is my favorite genre (all time periods) because I learn so much. Usually, I end up doing research on my own to find out more. Your Belmont Mansion trilogy is superb. A Note Yet Unsung was the first one I read, probably because of my love of music and the beautiful cover. All three books are so different and give the reader a very moving picture of the characters and their inner struggles. After finishing that trilogy, I read Christmas at Carnton when it came out and am looking forward to With This Pledge. Since I live in Virginia, I have hopes of being able to visit these homes in the future. Love the information and pictures in this post. Thank you, Tamera!
I love that reading historical fiction causes you to dig deeper into history, Betty. It does the same for me. I appreciate your kind words and I SO hope you can visit these homes one day. Hugs from Franklin…
Tamera, I grew up in SW Virginia. When I married, my husband we moved to Texas. We’ve lived here for the last 35 years. Since my parents sister and extended family still live in Virginia I find myself driving to and from Virginia at least two times a year. Needless to say I have driven through Tennessee a lot of times. Next time that I head that way. I’m planning to stop in Franklin.
PS – I am a history nerd too. I love the general history of big events but even more I like understanding relationships and how people lived. Ty
I definitely love the history of our country and other countries too. That’s why I love historical fiction based on real people, places and things. I learn so much without studying.
I love history and wished I would have been a better student in my younger years. I also love reading historicals and getting lost in times long ago. To become a part of those I read about.