Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, started as a two-room brick structure in 1815 and ended up in the 1850s as one of the most elegant antebellum homes in Middle Tennessee, known for its unique Italianate design. Located at 900 North Maney Avenue, the Maney family continued to expand their residence as they prospered and grew. In the 1820s, 1830s, 1840s and 1850s, they added rooms, raised ceilings, installed lo nger windows, added a two-story ell and an Italianate-styled two-story front addition that included a library and front parlor separated by a hallway on the first floor. At the rear of the front hall is a magnificent cantilever staircase leading to two bedrooms on the second floor. The exterior features a grand arched front entrance on the first floor, an elegant second floor window and an entire facade dominated by a veranda of elongated chamfered arches and columns. Today, the mansion is interpreted primarily to the Maney period of ownership with emphasis on the late 1950s and 1860s. About one-third of the furnishings and artifacts are original to the house. Oaklands was caught in the middle of the Civil War. Officers from both the Confederate and Union armies stayed in the mansion. Confederate President Jefferson Davis stayed at Oaklands on December 12-15, 1862. After the First Battle of Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest accepted the Union surrender in Oaklands' parlor. During the Battle of Stones River on December 31-January 2, 1862-63, the back porch and back lawn were used to care for wounded soldiers. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Self-guided tours begin at 10, 11, 2 and 3 Tuesday through Friday. Visitors should allow 45 minutes to an hour to see it all.

After visiting Bell Buckle and tickets weren’t available for Rippa Villa we were able to go to Oakland Mansion instead. Lucky for us the staff was helpful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the place. The mansion was drop dead gorgeous. Each room was stunning. Although my wife’s arthritis prevented her from viewing the upstairs a staff member allowed her to see a video of the upstairs. That made the visit more impressive. At the end she was able to buy a pie bird in the gift shop. Oh, during the weekdays it’s a self guided tour with plenty of signs plus a staff member who answered our questions.

I loved seeing this beautiful historic home. And every employee we encountered was wonderful. Loved petting Fanny! What a baby doll.

Enjoyed the tour very much. Staff was very friendly and helpful from making the reservation to guiding us through the home. It's a very interesting (and beautiful!) place. I would highly recommend that you do it.

My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at Oaklands Mansion. The restoration is stunning and the history of the house is fascinating. Instead of presenting a softened version of the past, the museum deliberately includes the lives of the enslaved people who worked in the home and the grounds. We highly recommend touring the property.