Belle Meade Historic Site

Overview

Belle Meade is a Greek Revival antebellum plantation that once comprised 5,400 acres and was one of America's premier thoroughbred horse farms. The restored 1853 mansion sits on 30 landscaped acres in the affluent Belle Meade neighbourhood, about 15 minutes southwest of downtown.

Highlights

• Mansion tour: Guided tours cover the architecture, the Harding-Jackson family, and the enslaved people who built and maintained the estate.
• Bourbon tasting: The former carriage house hosts bourbon and wine tastings included with admission.
• Harding family cemetery: A peaceful spot on the grounds with original 19th-century headstones.

History

John Harding purchased the property in 1807. By the 1880s, Belle Meade's thoroughbred breeding programme had produced Iroquois, the first American horse to win the English Derby. The plantation was sold at auction in 1906 and became a museum in 1953.

Visitor Tips

• Guided tour only: The mansion interior is accessible only via guided tour, departing every 30 minutes.
• Allow time for the grounds: The gardens and outbuildings merit exploration.
• Duration: 1.5 hours.