The Belmont Mansion in Nashville, Tennessee, the setting for A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare, is a special place to me. Not only because of its significance in Southern history, but because of the love and care the Belmont Mansion staff and curators continue to give the Italianate summer villa that Joseph and Adelicia Acklen constructed in 1853.
Belmont Mansion, Nashville, TN
One of the projects they’re currently working on is the columns on the second floor landing where the family bedrooms are located. In Adelicia’s day, the capitals of the columns were tipped in a mixture containing real gold. So Belmont Mansion is restoring them to their original luster and beauty using a similar process. And a very expensive paint!
Click for more views inside the Belmont Mansion
Love the details that the gold brings out.
Here you can see the pictures (some of them enlarged to show the detail) that Jerry Trescott (historical architect at Belmont Mansion) is using to get the details exactly right. Also notice the black and white checkered floor in the picture. That’s also Jerry’s artistry and devotion at work. This is how the wooden floors looked in Adelicia’s day. She had them painted to resemble marble. Lovely!
Jerry (Trescott) and I snapped a quick picture in the foyer of the Belmont Mansion that day. He was working on painting the capitals, and I was delivering “Thank you Krispy Kreme doughnuts” and signing all of my books in stock in the Belmont Mansion gift shop.
More period beds the Belmont Mansion recently acquired. The blue settee in the foreground is an original piece that Adelicia owned.
A half tester bed newly acquired and displayed in the children’s nursery at Belmont Mansion.
History fascinates me. Does it you? Do you have a particular home or setting from history that you enjoy visiting? Have you been to the Belmont Mansion yet? If not, I’d love to show it to you!
Tammy
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Tamera Alexander
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Love these books so much! Can’t wait to visit the mansion.
When to come to visit, Lisa, please let me know!
Always love hearing what’s going on at Belmont. That Adelicia sure knew how to beautify what she owned. 🙂 Thanks for sharing more gorgeous photos.
Thanks, Judy. Sure enjoyed our time there. Come on back!! : )
One of these days (if its The Lord’s will )I’m going to see that Belmont Mansion! I’ve went to The Oak Tree Plantation in Louisiana! The mansion was beautiful! And not too many miles from where I live there’s another plantation and mansion called Old Waverley! There’s a good story about that mansion! They say the little girl that lived there died and they see her imprint on the bed at times! U might research it and write a good story! I would love to read it!
Oh, cool, Brenda! Thanks for sharing and I’m off to read and research. Love stuff like this. We share a kindred spirit that way. ; )
Loved reading about Belmont Tammy! Wish I was with you all!
Wish you were too, Rosie. Praying for you, lady, and hope you get better SOON!! You’re loved.
The Belmont Mansion is definitely on my “Wish List” of places to visit! 🙂 Thank you for sharing these photos with us.
How kind you were to take Krispy Kreme donuts to the staff—YUM!
One of my daughters was married at a beautiful old home (built early 1800s) in our county. The ceremony and reception were actually held in a newer wing attached to the original house, but there is an upstairs bedroom that is used as the “Bride’s Room” so we were able to enjoy being in the house and enjoying the history. It’s SO fascinating! 🙂
Hugs, Patti Jo (who is now craving donuts) 😉
LOL at the craving doughnuts. And cool on the house!
P.S. My car smelled like Krispy Kremes for days. It was heavenly.
The footboard on the “half tester bed” is very similar to the footboard on a bed I have which belonged to my great grandmother! My mother slept in this bed as did my sister and I, my daughter. My grandchildren have also slept in it on their visits!
How lovely, Joan. Aren’t these older pieces of furniture and the memories they inspire so precious. We’re blessed to have these tangible reminders of loved ones and happy times gone by.
I haven’t been to the Belmont Mansion yet, but it’s on my “To Do” list. And ever since I read about the battle of Franklin in your novels, I’ve added that to my list as well. The Belle Meade Plantation left a big impression on me…as it did you 🙂 Another favorite of mine is Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. The mansion is lovely and the gardens are enchanting. I’m waaayyyy over due for another visit. I love to visit the local battlefields. Stones River is my favorite and lucky for me, it’s across the street from our family doctor!! Cannonsburg, in Murfreesboro, is an amazing little historical hot spot. It’s crammed full of historic buildings, furnishing, and information. It’s free and makes a great backdrop for family pictures.