Located in the famous Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum is dedicated to music, of all genres. The museum through its massive space has on display, many original music instruments played by artists and memorabilia. The exhibits showcase the work of not just renowned artists but also honors the lesser-known performing artists from the different genres of music. You will get insights and facts about many instrumental and background artists who contributed significantly to some celebrated master pieces. The museum also houses an interactive display gallery, Grammy Museum Gallery which gives visitors a chance to witness and try out the creative process of recording music.
Loved by locals and tourists alike, this 1853 mansion was once the centerpiece of a 5,400-acre (2,185 hectares), 19th-century thoroughbred farm and nursery that back then sheltered president Andrew Jackson's thoroughbred. Awash in a stately Greek Revival style, the plantation boasts a dramatically-picturesque landscape that is dotted by many plantation remnants like a stable, the Hardings Cabin and the restored slaves quarters. Still referred to as the “Queen of Tennessee Plantations,” the present 30-acre (12-hectares) environs includes many of the original outbuildings and an antique carriage collection. The plantation has also played host to many famous guests including Presidents Grover Cleveland and General Sherman. Lending insights into the indelible plantation legacy left behind by John Harding, the Belle Meade Plantation is deeply entrenched in a long-standing lineage which has been an important part of the cultural history of America.
A striking glimpse into America's antebellum eon, the Hermitage tells tales of the life of the country's seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Built in 1835, this historic edifice is a confluence of culture and long-standing history. While living at the Hermitage, Jackson ran a general store, tavern and thoroughbred horse racing tracks nearby, which eventually inspired him to cease his work on the Supreme Court and focus on the Hermitage and its nearby enterprises. This classic Greek Revival mansion retains Jackson's original architecture and furnishings. Permeated with the sounds of a biographical film and museum exhibits, the site of the mansion preserves the original 1804 slave cabins, Jackson's tomb, Tulip Grove Mansion, Old Hermitage Church, and Tennessee Confederate Soldier Cemetery. The estate grounds also shelter a delightful plantation. An integral chapter in the course of American history, the Hermitage greatly immortalizes the 'People's President'.
It is fitting that the "Athens of the South" is home to the world's only full-size replica of the ancient Parthenon. Forty-six Doric columns encircle the building. The largest bronze doors in the world, weighing 7.5 tons each, stand at the East and West entrances. Featured is Athena Parthenos, the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world. Sculptures and friezes are modeled from Elgin Marbles at the British Museum in London. There are also four art galleries. While the prices are reasonable, you can avail discounts for groups of ten or more with a reservation.
Having the largest and most comprehensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts from the late legend, the Johnny Cash Museum is a true gem of the downtown Nashville area. The legendary country superstar and entertainer's life can be seen through the many photos, handwritten song lyrics, costumes, awards and musical instruments lovingly displayed throughout the building's raw brick and motor space. Catch his booming voice as he croons out "Folsom Prison Blues" in one of the many interactive displays. Whether you're a country music fan or not, a visit to this museum will leave you with a newfound respect for one of the music industry's greatest legends.
Possibly the five bloodiest hours of America's Civil War took place here at the Battle of Franklin. On November 30, 1864, Carnton was occupied by Confederate troops moving toward the well-entrenched Federal army. A devastating battle ensued. Later, the mansion housed hundreds of the more than 6,000 Confederate casualties from that battle. Today, visitors can take guided and self-guided tours of the property, including the house, grounds, and the battlefield, covering various aspects such as the battle, slavery, and the aftermath of the war. Adjacent to the property is the largest private Confederate cemetery in America.