Belle Meade Plantation- Where Horse Racing Was King

Fans of thoroughbred racing will find Belle Meade Plantation a very interesting place to visit but it is interesting enough to entertain any visitor. What began as a boarding stable for the likes of Andrew Jackson became the premier stud farm in the U.S. by the late 19th century. 

The original plantation consisted of 5,400 acres and covered what is the current city of Belle Meade, Tennessee. All that remains today is the plantation house and 30 acres of land, along with some outbuildings and an original log cabin.

The Harding family moved onto this land in Nashville early in the 19th century. A log cabin was already on the site. The original owner was John Harding, but it was William Harding who had a great interest in horse breeding. What you will see today is his 1853 Greek Revival plantation house.

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The greatest sire of all time, Bonnie Scotland, was purchased and brought to Belle Meade at the age of 19 in 1872. All of the winners of the Kentucky Derby between 1972 and 1996 are descended from him, as well as most of the Triple Crown winners. Among his descendants are Seabiscuit, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and Secretariat. Iroquois, the most famous horse of the 1880s and ’90s, was also a product of Belle Meade. Among the races that he won was the English Derby. He was the first American born and bred horse to ever accomplish that feat. In his time, he was making $25,000 a year in stud fees.

To take the tour you gather on the front porch and then a costumed guild will take you into the entrance hall. It is lined with horse prints, in the style of English artist George Stubbs. If you were not aware of the history of Belle Meade before this, you soon will be.

Costumed guides are available in each of the rooms. They have a great deal of information to offer and they will answer questions as well. One thing you do notice is there are many mirrors in these old homes. The guides explained that mirrors helped to reflect the light, especially at night. You really can’t imagine how dark it was before the advent of electric lighting.

William Harding as a southerner was sent to a prison camp in Michigan, and for six months during the Civil War Union troops occupied Belle Meade. They caused some damage, his wife Elizabeth didn’t take abuse to her house lightly. She wrote to the Lieutenant Governor and, as a result, the Union troops then became the guards of the plantation.

The doors and woodwork in the house are worthy of note. They look like oak or mahogany, depending on which room you are in. They are neither; they are poplar and are faux painted to look like more expensive wood. In the library, you will see Iroquois’ silver-capped hooves in one of the cases.
The house is decorated in a style typical of the Victorian period. You will notice some interesting pictures made from feathers.

You must visit Belle Meade on a guided tour. You buy your ticket at the gift shop. It is a very nice gift shop with an exceptional collection of books, so while you’re waiting for your tour to begin, it is worth browsing. The carriage house has a fine collection of carriages, and there is a restaurant, which is open for lunch. The restaurant also offers afternoon tea.

On the property, there are some outbuildings that you can visit and it is very pleasant to stroll in the grounds. Allow several hours for your visit here.