On a cold afternoon in the early 1980s, Anne Cole sat before an open fire as her neighbor explained why she had invited her to visit. Punctuating her words with tobacco juice that sizzled as it hit the hot grate, she told Anne that she wanted her to buy this house. That was the beginning of another adventure in the long history of this home. Built off-site circa 1845, Captain Richard Beard, 24th Tennessee, purchased the lot and a bull team skidded the front rooms here. Beard was a practicing lawyer, and grandfather of Murfreesboro native, Jean Marie Faircloth, wife of the famous twentieth-century military leader, General Douglas MacArthur.  Beard fought in the Battles of Stones River and Chickamauga.  About 100 years before Anne discussed terms, two rooms & the fancy front porch were added.   During WWll, the house was turned into a duplex to provide housing for airmen & their families from Sewart Air Force Base.  By the time Anne took possession, serious restoration would be needed to make the house a comfortable place to live. Over thirty years, children were raised and family dinners served even as the house was being restored. Enjoy your stop with the Cole family, elegantly dressed in their finest period clothing.  The home's lovely Christmas decorations are the handiwork of Nila Gayle Hutton.

This circa 1890s Victorian Queen Anne cottage occupies a lot that was initially part of Maney's Addition and later divided into the Perkin's Estate Addition.  The cottage architecture is essentially original with its Victorian porch and projecting front bay.  The early wood siding is in place beneath the modern asbestos shingles.   Although the builder and first owner of the home are unknown, T. H. Harrison, Sr. owned the home in the early 1900s.  At his death Ella and Price Harrison became the owners.   Ms. Minnie Gay Haley bought the home in 1964 and the current owners, Barbara and Dr. E. C. Tolbert purchased the house in 1976.  The building was converted into a medical complex that maintained the integrity of the home.   It housed the practices of Dr. Bart Warner and Dr. Allen Polk, plus other medically related entities over the years.  In 2012, the property was leased to Deneen Glidwill whose business, Dreamingincolor offers a myriad of antiques, repurposed furniture, art and accessories.

This Victorian charmer with a projecting front gable wing, a steep roof with dormer windows and a columned front porch was built in 1880 and is currently part of Carriage Lane Inn Event and Guesthouses. The 3 bedroom, 3 bath cottage serves as a vacation rental. Carriage Lane Inn offers Bed and Breakfast stays, vacation rentals and events.  The house of 413 North Maney Avenue, along with its sister properties, holds a great place in Murfreesboro's history.   As some of the first homes in Maney's Addition, they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Enjoy your tour through the cottage's Tennessee themed rooms.

Bobby Turman and Sheryl Miller invite you to share a moment with them this holiday season in their home at 420 East Burton Street.   Affectionately known as "Hippie Haven," this 1927 Ranch Bungalow was once known as "The Rhodes House."   It was named for a WWI Veteran and his wife, S.L. and Carrie N. Rhodes, who purchased it from the family of E.C. Cox.  Cox was the first superintendant of schools for Rutherford County in 1874. The Cox family was also in the lumber business, Cox, Maney & Rather, with Newton Cannon Maney, son of Lewis and Adaline Maney of Oaklands Mansion.  Bobby and Sheryl have employed local artists to brighten "Hippie Haven" with decorative murals on the fireplace and creative earthwork art in the landscaping.  Much of the home is composed of original hardwood interior, including the walls and ceiling.   Mr. Turman and Ms. Miller have refurbished and rehabbed much of the house to its former glory while adding eclectic touches to make it distinctly theirs.  

This building was constructed in 1960 to house the Jetton Floral Company. Samuel and Mattie Jetton began operating their floral business here on North Maney Avenue sometime before 1920, and the 1930 census includes their daughter Esther as a partner. Mr. Jetton was the great nephew of the first owner of Oaklands Mansion, Sallie Murfree Maney, and the third cousin of Rebekah Jetton, the last resident of Oaklands Mansion.  The building that stands today served as the flower shop until Esther Jetton Cunningham retired in the 1980s. It was then used for storage until Candace Baker opened her vintage boutique One Cute Dish in July of 2016. Her business is currently open by appointment only. Candace and Rob Baker are proud to bring retail back to the building which has a long history of serving the residents of downtown Murfreesboro and beyond.

Allen Chapel AME Church was originally located on the corner of State and Spring streets, although the congregation actually began with founding members meeting in homes about 1858, just prior to the Civil War. By 1870, the membership grew to need a space. The second structure, located in its present location, was dedicated in 1889.

While the actual structure of the church has changed over the years, the congregation's dedication to serving the community contributes to the longevity of the membership. Allen Chapel AME Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, and is a historic fixture of Murfreesboro's downtown community.

Experience a journey back in time as you enter this romantic French Second Empire Victorian Mansion. This elegant lady was built in 1879 at a cost of $12,000 by Ingram Collier, a mayor of Murfreesboro in the early 1870s. Ingram Collier married Kentucky widow Louisiana Cushman in 1865.  Mr. Collier died during the construction of their home.  Louisiana married again in 1888 to Colonel Horace Ready, brother of Mattie Ready who married General John Hunt Morgan in December 1862 on the eve of the Battle of Stones River.  The Ready's marriage brought new life to the mansion as the handsome couple was often entertaining or travelling.   Upon the passing of Louisiana in 1924, the house was maintained by Carmine Collier, the daughter of Ingram and Louisiana.  Carmine later sold the home to Murfreesboro Mayor, Newton Collier Crichlow.  The current owners, Judy and Jim Smythe, purchased the home in 1983 and are quite proud of their home's history. The house has approximately 8,000 square feet, 18 rooms, 14 foot ceilings on the 1st floor, 13 foot on the 2nd, and 10 foot on the 3rd. All the light fixtures are original to the house, except the dining room chandelier, as are the 7 faux marble mantels. The stippled woodwork also expresses the intricate detail of this period. The Smythe's hope that as you tour this 19th century home, you will feel the ambiance of an era gone by and share their enthusiasm as they restore this house to its original grace and beauty.

This lovely two-story brick American Foursquare was built circa 1898.  Longtime owners of the home were Mr. Richard H. Stickney and his wife, Gertrude Douglas, who purchased the dwelling in 1920.  Mr. Stickney was a partner in the well-known Stickney and Griffis Drug Company, the soda fountain being a favorite gathering spot for Murfreesboro teenagers of the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's.  The home passed from the Stickney's in 1985 to other local families.  In 1995, the home was purchased by current owners, Drs. Elizabeth and Robert Bray.  Adding their personal touches to the home, the Brays constructed a screened in back porch in 2007(this is described as the owners' favorite room) and completely remodeled the kitchen in 2008.  In 2012, the Brays added a two story outbuilding featuring a two car garage, business office, jewelry workshop, bathroom, balcony, and exercise room.  

On June 9, 1843, sixteen Baptists, including Thomas H. Maney met at the James Fletcher Schoolhouse in Murfreesboro to organize a church. Thomas was the son of Adaline and Lewis Maney, of Oaklands Mansion. His wife, Fanny Bell, was the daughter of John Bell, who was an 1860 candidate for President. The young church constructed its first house of worship in 1848 at the corner of South Spring and Sevier Streets.  The building was confiscated by the Union Army and converted into a Federal hospital following the Battle of Stones River.  This building was donated to African-American Christians who founded today's First Baptist Church on East Castle Street. After the Civil War, the church erected a second building at the current location of St. Paul's Episcopal Church on East Main Street.  The church met at this location until 1919 when a fire destroyed the structure.  The present day sanctuary, located at 200 East Main Street, was constructed in 1920 featuring Neoclassical architecture.  In 1936 the church was unable to pay its debts, and sadly, the building was sold at auction.  The church raised the money to pay off the debts and regained the building in 1941.  In 2013, the church completed a major renovation and construction program, adding a new Spring Street entrance and media-library.   Dr. Noel Schoonmaker, pastor of First Baptist Church, welcomes the community to this thriving congregation.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro began services in 1892, leading to the construction of a church building on Spring Street in 1893. Among the founders of St. Paul's were George Darrow, owner of Oaklands Mansion from 1884 to 1912, and Mary Noailles Murfree, prolific author of Southern Life under the pen name Charles Egbert Craddock, and the niece of Sally Murfree Maney, original owner of Oaklands Mansion.  Mr. Darrow served as Treasurer of the Diocese of Tennessee from 1896 to 1927 and is memorialized in the brass lectern.  In 1929, the church was moved using metal pipe and wooden rollers to its present location on East Main Street and veneered in Sewanee sandstone. This historic structure now serves the church campus as St. Andrew's Chapel.  From an initial year with fourteen communicants, St. Paul's has blossomed into a vibrant community of faith in downtown Murfreesboro. Having seen two major additions to its campus in the last fifteen years, St. Paul's is now one of the largest Episcopal churches in Middle Tennessee with over 1,000 baptized members. It demonstrates a growing presence in community outreach, currently sponsoring four scout troops and hosting Coldest Nights for women.  Celebrating its 125th Anniversary in October 2017, St. Paul's seeks to empower people to minister to one another following the example of Jesus.  We welcome you to our campus and invite you to join us for Sunday worship.

The First Presbyterian Church was chartered as the Murfree Spring Presbyterian Church in April, 1812.  Members met in log schoolhouses until the first church building was constructed in 1819 on East Vine Street. The first church served as the meeting place for the TN General Assembly in 1822-1825.  This brick building was destroyed by the occupying Federal forces after the Battle of Stones River.  In 1868, a new church was built at the corner of College and Spring Streets.  The tornado of 1913 damaged the roof but left the organ standing, some stained glass windows and the 1908 Sunday school addition.  The new sanctuary, completed in 1914 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, was designed in the Classical Revival Style.  The first organ, which survived the 1913 tornado, was purchased in 1886 for $1,750.00 and was hand-pumped by the janitor.  A new organ was purchased in 1948, and with renovations, is still in use today. The Italian marble baptismal font was added in memory of Sarah Camden Wilson, ancestor of the local Earthman, Weatherford, Sanders families.  Stained glass windows added during the 1914 renovation were in memory of Dr. James B. Murfree, nephew of Sallie Murfree Maney of Oaklands Mansion, Rev. E. W. Williams, and Dr. John F. Cason.  This historic church continues to thrive today under the leadership of Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. John A. Hinkle, Jr. and Associate Pastor, Rev. Bobby Harding.

This majestic house was built in 1856 as a residence for Dr. William T. Baskette.  Dr. Baskette was arrested three times by Federal authorities during the Civil War for treating wounded Confederate soldiers.  He served as surgeon under General Hood during the Atlanta and Nashville campaigns.  He died in Murfreesboro in 1867.   The home is Italianate style with its bracketed eaves, arched windows and entryway, pilasters, and pediment. The house was originally unpainted, red brick, and the Neo-Classical wraparound porch was added around 1910.  It has 16 foot ceilings and over six thousand square feet. The Woman's Club, currently celebrating their Centennial, bought the house in 1916 for $6,125.00.  They added the assembly room, kitchen, and food preparation area in 1922.  Some of their many activities over the years include making bandages during WWI,

maintaining a lending library in Murfreesboro until Limbaugh Library was established in the late 1940s, as well as sponsoring lectures and promoting downtown beautification.  The Woman's Club continues to thrive today. Notice in the historic image, how similar Oaklands Mansion and this house appeared when the Baskette house still had its original porch. Richard Sanders, whose portrait hangs in the Woman's believed to be the architect of both buildings.

This red brick beauty built in 1847 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house has an important link to national politics.   Major John Childress purchased the home in 1874 and was often visited in the 1870s and 1880s by his older sister, Sarah Childress Polk, wife of President James K. Polk. Mrs. Polk was born in Murfreesboro and met her husband in town. Her nephew married Shelly Maney, Lewis and Adaline Maney's daughter. In 1927, Alice Newsome's family purchased the Childress House. Alice lived in this house from the time she was a child until she recently passed away in 2015 at the age of 99.  In the 1950s, Alice and her husband Kelly Ray added three apartments to the home which are still rented to this day. In fact, that is how Sandi Baylis, the current owner ended up with the house.  As a young college student, Sandi became lost one day and stopped at the home of Alice Ray for directions.  Ms. Ray told her the address she was looking for was not the sort of place a young lady should be living.  After further conversation, allowing Alice to sum up the character of this young college student, an apartment was offered to Sandi and she accepted.  Sandi discovered the home was filled with priceless antiques, some owned by Andrew and Rachel Jackson while in the White House.  There was a marvelous floor to ceiling French mirror made in 1850, as well as hard wood floors and high ceilings.  It is because of Alice Newsome Ray that the current owner developed an interest in old houses and antiques.  Sandi believes that owning an old home is a privilege and an honor.  Sandi purchased this house a year ago and moved her 94 year-old dad into her old college apartment. The house is not finished and is a never ending project.  Sandi often refers to it as the "money pit."  Guests will note many African influences as well as the expected antiques.  Sandi spent the first 17 years of her life in Africa.  If Alice were here, Sandi believes that she would be happy to see that the Childress-Ray Home has truly come "full circle."

The home at 304 East Lytle Street was built in 1871 and is a Victorian style house.  There have been many owners over the years ~ one of the most notable being Sam Licker and family from 1913 to 1919.  Sam came to the United States from Lithuania and was a shop owner on the Murfreesboro Square for 55 years.  Sam's three daughters continued his legacy and were known as the "Licker Sisters."  They owned the highly acclaimed Cotton Patch clothing store for many years.  The James B. Freeman family owned the dwelling from the mid 1930s to the 1970s.  The home became a Fraternity House for MTSU in the 1970s, first housing the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and later, the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.   Michael and Doug purchased the home in 2000 and began a complete renovation.  All walls and ceilings were removed as well as all bathrooms, kitchens, wiring and plumbing, and then rebuilt to today's standards.  They paid close attention to preserving the structure's historical character and had much of the woodwork re-milled to match the original. The home has two built-in benches, a curved wall in the living room, and still retains 5 original mantels, along with a beautiful piece of woodwork in the front entry hallway.  All walls and ceilings were restored to their original state.  Michael and Doug only made minor changes to the back of the home to provide a more modern feel for today's living standard.  The stained glass windows that you see during the holidays were hand-made by Michael and Doug and have become a downtown tradition during Halloween and Christmas.  They temporarily install 11 custom made stained glass windows each Christmas.

This lovely home was built around the 1870s and an addition to the back of the house was completed in 1950.  Longtime owners of the home were Walter Graves Malone and his wife Etta Gamewell Malone who moved into the home circa 1930.  The Malones had 3 daughters, Edwina Malone Gardner, Mildred Malone Covington, and Reba Malone Jackson. Reba's daughter, Marietta Jackson Bishop said that the younger girls used the transom windows in the parlor to spy on Edwina kissing her boyfriend.   In 1974 the home was sold through an auction for $30,000 to Willie Wright, who, in turn, sold it for $35,000 to Bob Parks. This house was the first office for Bob Parks Realty, who's founder swore it would become the biggest real estate company in Middle Tennessee. He moved into the building with Jim Rungee, Brenda Baxter, Frank Fly, Burger and McFarland. Bev MacSherry helped to renovate the house into a commercial property and had a decorating shop in the backroom of the home. Many of the original architectural features were left intact including transom windows, doors, and even original glass in most of the windows.  A natural spring runs under the house and it is rumored that there are underground tunnels beneath the home as well.  Tracy Toy launched Quinn's Mercantile at this location in August of 2016.  This unique boutique offers vintage, industrial and farmhouse chic furniture as well as home décor, clothing and gifts for every occasion.

This renovated structure is now home to the Rutherford County Historical Society. From 1900-1930, the building was used as "Miss Eliza Ransom's Private School" by Ms. Eliza and her sister Ms. Belle Ransom. Included in the $8 a month tuition was reading, writing, history, arithmetic, natural sciences and geography. The school closed in the early years of the Depression and the building eventually fell into disrepair. A former student, Charles B. Arnette, purchased the building in 2004 and began restoration. His estate donated the building to the Rutherford County Historical Society in 2010 and now houses a "schoolhouse museum" typical of the 1920's. 

Once situated on a 1,500 acre plantation, Oaklands Mansion began circa 1815 with the construction of a modest two room brick cabin constructed on the land inheritance of Sallie Maney from her father Col. Hardee Murfree. In the 1820s, Sallie and her husband Dr. James Maney improved their home with a refined two-story Federal addition. Further additions were made in the 1830s. After Sallie's death, Dr. Maney retired, leaving the large plantation, mansion and spring to his daughter-in-law Rachel Adaline, daughter of Gov. Newton Cannon, rather than his son who was in declining health. Circa 1858, Rachel Adaline Cannon and Major Lewis Maney made the final addition of the impressive Italianate façade reflecting the great prosperity of their family. Today the mansion is restored to provide a glimpse of plantation life during the beginning years of the Civil War. 

Candlelight Tour of Homes Shuttle Service

Shuttle service, provided by MTSU Raider Express, will be offered along the tour route from 4:00 P.M. until 9:15 P.M., at these convenient locations:

Oaklands Park Pavilion- 410 Roberts Street

500 Block of East Main Street

First Presbyterian Church-210 North Spring Street

Carriage Lane Reception House- 337 East Burton Street

 

Live Nativity & Holiday Music:

On the lawn of Oaklands Baptist Church, see a live nativity displayed by Southeast Baptist Church's Bethlehem Marketplace.

Holiday Music featuring Siegel High School Choir, Strolling Choir from Central 

Magnet School, Siegel High School Clarinet Ensemble, First Baptist Joyful Choir and the North Boulevard Praise Team

 

 

Sweet & Savory stops along the holiday tour:

Gee Ma's Kitchen Food Truck at Oaklands Mansion

Sweet T's Food Truck along the route

Peter D's & Demos' Restaurants Office at 503 North Maney Avenue

 

 

Continue the evening's tour on the Historic Downtown Square, as Shacklett's Photography presents "Concert on the Balcony" at 105 South Church Street.