Ravenswood (Brentwood, Tennessee)

Ravenswood is a property in Brentwood, Tennessee, that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1983. Completed in 1825, it was named to honor Sam Houston, known as "the Raven" to the Cherokee, who was the best man at the 1821 wedding of James Hazard Wilson II and his bride Emeline. Beginning in 2010 the city of Brentwood acquired surrounding acreage, which in 2014 became the largest park in the City of Brentwood, with the mansion now available for special events.[2]

Ravenswood
Ravenswood, January 2015.
LocationWilson Pike, Brentwood, Tennessee 35°56′45″N 86°46′13″W
Coordinates35°56′45″N 86°46′13″W
Area52 acres (21 ha)
Built1825
Architectural styleGreek Revival and Federal
NRHP reference No.83003073 [1]
Added to NRHPJuly 7, 1983

One of the largest slaveowners in the area by the American Civil War, Wilson (who also owned cotton plantations in Louisiana and Mississippi and a steamboat line) began building the house in 1821.[3] At the outbreak of the Civil War, Wilson would host one of the area's two Confederate training camps at his Midway Plantation (named for its location between Franklin, Tennessee and Nashville, which later hosted Union troops, and today is the Brentwood County Club).[4] This Ravenswood was the manor house of one of the three largest plantations in Williamson County, having more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) in area and having many slaves. Other large area plantation houses from this era which are NRHP-listed are: Beechwood Hall (the H. G. W. Mayberry House) and Pleasant View (the Samuel F. Glass House).[5]

In 2013 the city of Brentwood purchased an additional 325 acres from a local real estate development family at a below-market price, agreeing to name the resulting park as Marcella Vivrette Smith Park.[6][7]

The property includes Greek Revival and Federal architecture. When listed on the NRHP the property included five contributing buildings and three non-contributing buildings on an area of 52 acres (21 ha).[1]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. http://tennesseevintagebaseball.com/ravenswood-mansion-at-smith-park/
  3. http://tennesseevintagebaseball.com/ravenswood-mansion-at-smith-park/
  4. removed link to site on hotlist
  5. Thomason Associates and Tennessee Historical Commission (February 1988). "Historic Resources of Williamson County (Partial Inventory of Historic and Architectural Properties), National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination". National Park Service.
  6. press release, city webpage with multiple items on the Ravenswood purchase
  7. http://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails-greenways/marcella-vivrette-smith-park


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