The cannon that sits on the property of the house was the epicenter of the eight hour bloody battle for Franklin. Unfortunately for the Carter House, it found itself right in the line of fire. During the tour of the home you’ll see where a .58 caliber musket impacted on the bricks of the home and the bullet pockmarked kitchen area. The tour also includes a museum, a video and guided tour of the house – The not as well known Carter House was one of the best surprises of my trip and is easy to get to and highly recommended!
Details: 1140 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, TN. Phone: 615.791.1861. Hours: 9-4. Sundays: 1-4. (Open until 5 April – October.) Adults: $8; Children $3. Website: www.carter-house.org.
Carnton Plantation (Field Hospital)
Tennessee has its fill of exquisite antebellum plantations, and the Carnton Plantation definitely fits that bill, but the Carnton’s history as a Confederate field hospital is the reason you should put this plantation on your places to visit list. The largest of 44 field hospitals during the Battle of Franklin, the Carnton Plantation ended up being the last place that hundreds of Confederate soldiers would ever see.
During the guided tours of the Carnton house, which in happier times hosted two presidents, Andrew Jackson and James K Polk, the docents describe a horrific scene as primitive surgical procedures at the time had doctors and their assistants working on patients throughout the house and grounds of the Plantation. The most striking testament to the battle that was raging at times only one mile from the house is the still blood stained floor. The blood from the men who were being treated in the home still stains the wood floors to this day, an eerie testament to cost of battle.
Details: 1345 Carnton Lane, Franklin, TN 37064. Phone: 615.794.0903. Hours: 9-5; Sunday , 1-5. Admission: Adults, $8; Children, $3. Website: carnton.org.
Places to Stay in Middle, TN:
Henry Horton State Resort Park
4209 Nashville Highway, Chapel Hill, TN. Phone: 931.364.2222.
Website: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/
Montgomery Bell State Resort Park
1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns, TX 37029. Phone: 615.797.9052
Website: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/
GreenBrook Inn Bed & Breakfast
810 South College Street, Smithville, TN 37166. Phone: 615.597.2998
Website: www.greenbrookinn.com
Places to Eat:
Backyard Café
4150 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064.
Café 541
541 Franklin Street, Clarksville, TN 37040
Foglight Foodhouse
275 Powerhouse Road, Walling, TN 38587
