CRAGFONT, HOME OF GENERAL JAMES WINCHESTER

WE WENT EXPLORING AND FOUND A BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC MANSION TO TOUR.  WE REALLY ENJOYED TOURING THE 18 ROOM MANSION AND OUR GUIDE, SHELBY, WAS EXCELLENT.  WE WERE THE ONLY TOURISTS THERE WHEN WE STARTED AND SHE SAID SHE LIKED US AND WOULDN'T CHARGE US THE ENTRANCE FEE.  SHHH, THAT'S A SECRET!!!!  THE MANSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED AND THINGS MOVE IN THE NIGHT ACCORDING TO SHELBY.  THE BUILDING STARTED IN 1798 AND COMPLETED IN 1802.  ALL MATERIALS FOR THE HOUSE WERE QUARRIED AND HAND HEWN FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA.  WE REALLY ENJOYED OUR TOUR OF THE HOUSE, STROLL THRU THE GARDEN & CEMETERY THAT ARE ON THE 300 ACRES OF THE PLANTATION.

SHELBY EXPLAINS ALL ABOUT THE DINING ROOM

KITCHEN

GENERAL WINCHESTER'S OFFICE

THE PARLOR

BEAUTIFUL STAIRCASE

AGAIN!

LADIES PARLOR

MASTER BEDROOM

  THE "POTTY" WAS RIGHT BESIDE THE BED. IT CLOSED UP TO BE STEPS TO THE BED!

ANOTHER VIEW OF MASTER

DOORS FROM MASTER LED TO PORCH SURROUNDING WHOLE HOUSE

THE BALLROOM

ANOTHER VIEW OF BALLROOM

THE NURSERY WAS ON 3RD FLOOR

ANOTHER VIEW OF NURSERY

ANOTHER VIEW..

THE SMOKE HOUSE
THIS STONE TROUGH WAS USED TO SALT MEAT

THE POND

SIDE VIEW OF MANSION

DINNER BELL

WATER PUMP/WELL

STONE IN GAZEBO FLOOR

GRAPE ARBOR

RESTING IN THE GARDEN

THE GAZEBO

BACK VIEW OF MANSION FROM GARDEN

THE CEMETERY

GENERAL WINCHESTER'S GRAVE

GATE ENTRANCE TO CEMETERY

TIME TO GO HOME....

About Cragfont State Historic Site

Cragfont was the home of General James Winchester, a protagonist of the American Revolution, a pioneer in the Middle Tennessee wilderness, a soldier against indigenous Americans, a brigadier general in the War of 1812, and co-founder of the City of Memphis. The construction of Cragfont was started in 1798 and finished in 1802. It was the finest mansion on the Tennessee frontier and typified the grandeur and style of the best architecture of the late Georgian period. Named Cragfont because it stood on a rocky bluff with a spring at its base, the house is furnished with Federal antiques, some of which are original to the Winchester family. The basement holds an authentic weaving room.

In the War of 1812, Winchester's troops were a part of the unsuccessful American campaign to invade Canada. He was defeated near Frenchtown, was captured, and marched with some 550 Tennesseans and Kentuckians to Quebec, where they were imprisoned for 15 months. He returned to his home in April, 1814, but soon left to assume command of the Mobile District. After General Andrew Jackson's victory at New Orleans, Winchester returned to Cragfont for good on February 12, 1815. Once there, he resumed pursuit of his agricultural interests, became a leader in the general upgrading of the state, and engaged in land speculation, which led to his fortune. He died at his home on July 26, 1826.