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.
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| SHELBY EXPLAINS ALL ABOUT THE DINING ROOM |
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| KITCHEN |
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| GENERAL WINCHESTER'S OFFICE |
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| THE PARLOR |
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| BEAUTIFUL STAIRCASE |
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| AGAIN! |
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| LADIES PARLOR |
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| MASTER BEDROOM |
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| THE "POTTY" WAS RIGHT BESIDE THE BED. IT CLOSED UP TO BE STEPS TO THE BED! |
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| ANOTHER VIEW OF MASTER |
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| DOORS FROM MASTER LED TO PORCH SURROUNDING WHOLE HOUSE |
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| THE BALLROOM |
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| ANOTHER VIEW OF BALLROOM |
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| THE NURSERY WAS ON 3RD FLOOR |
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| ANOTHER VIEW OF NURSERY |
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| ANOTHER VIEW.. |
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THE SMOKE HOUSE
THIS STONE TROUGH WAS USED TO SALT MEAT |
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| THE POND |
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| SIDE VIEW OF MANSION |
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| DINNER BELL |
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| WATER PUMP/WELL |
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| STONE IN GAZEBO FLOOR |
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| GRAPE ARBOR |
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| RESTING IN THE GARDEN |
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| THE GAZEBO |
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| BACK VIEW OF MANSION FROM GARDEN |
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| THE CEMETERY |
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| GENERAL WINCHESTER'S GRAVE |
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| GATE ENTRANCE TO CEMETERY |
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| 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.
