The man who built Historic Travellers Rest in 1799, John Overton, was an emblem of the new American Republic. A judge, he was a close personal friend of Andrew Jackson, owned slaves, and was part of the people who helped build the new United States. His son would join the Confederacy, and Travellers Rest served as headquarters for the Confederate John Bell Hood before the Battle of Nashville. Head a bit out of town to this historic estate, once a 1,050 acre (425 hectare) plantation, built on what may be an ancient Native American burial ground, that was home to the Overton family as well as generations of slaves that cared for them and worked the land.
After you register for a tour, take a walk through the grounds and outbuildings that surround the house itself. Start at the former Weaving House, which would later serve as a home for two former slaves after the Civil War, where the exhibit about the estate’s slaves is kept. Peruse an impressive collection of documents and artifacts that help to illustrate the stories of more than 50 individuals that were enslaved in the service of the Overton family. Develop a deeper understanding of how slavery functioned in Nashville and Tennessee more broadly, then head back up to the house.
Join the knowledgeable tour guides, who are dressed in period clothing, as they bring visitors around the house. Learn about the interesting history of the Overtons and how it intertwines with the history of the city and state
Historic Travellers Rest is located to the south of downtown Nashville, in the Ragland Drive neighborhood. Drive there from downtown in 17 minutes. The museum is difficult to access by public transportation. There is free parking available on site. The house is open from Tuesday to Saturday from the mid-morning to early evening. Tours are held on the hour from 10a.m. to 3p.m. During peak season, call ahead to reserve a spot. The grounds can be explored without going on a tour. The admission fee includes the house tour and access to the other exhibits in the ancillary buildings.
