Grassmere Historic Home and Farm

Listed on the National Register of Historic Homes, the Grassmere Historic Home, built in 1810, is the centerpiece of the Grassmere Historic Farm and is open seasonally for guided tours. Interpreters will take you on a walking tour through the home, telling you the history of the property, stories from the five generations who lived there, and how the Zoo came to be located on the land. During the tour, you will see many original pieces of furniture, a portion of the extensive book collection, and several family portraits. Be sure to look for the name that was etched on a pane of glass over 100 years ago. After touring the home, you can explore the rest of the farm grounds, including the three-tier heirloom garden and the family cemetery, which is the final resting place for several family members. Nashville Zoo began management of the Grassmere property in December 1996. In 1998, the Zoo partnered with the Metro Historical Commission and the Metro Parks Department to restore the Home. The Home opened to visitors for the first time in spring 1998. In 1999, the Grassmere Historic Farm opened, including a livestock barn, pastures, chicken coop and machine shed. The Master Gardeners of Davidson County have "adopted" Grassmere and have provided the manpower, resources, and expertise to transform the areas around the home to their former beauty and bounty. The main garden area includes heirloom flowers and plants, a second tier of vegetables and medicinal herbs, and a revived orchard. A culinary herb garden behind the home's kitchen, heirloom roses in the back of the main garden and numerous daffodils, irises, and azaleas dot the farm. Visit http://www.nashvillezoo.org/grassmere-historic-home for more information.