How a nearly century-old mansion has become a welcoming point for hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans
In 1929, William Ridley Wills, the founder of National Life and Accident Insurance Company, built a 15,500-square-foot Georgian-style home in Nashville for him and his wife. The three-story, 16-room structure that sits upon 10 beautiful acres has since been home to many notable Tennesseans, including Govs. Gordon Browning, Frank Clement, Buford Ellington, Winfield Dunn, Ray Blanton, Lamar Alexander, Ned Ray McWherter, Don Sundquist, Bill Haslam and, currently, Bill and Maria Lee.
“Both the Governor and First Lady feel strongly that this is the people’s house,” said Allyson Huddleston, the Tennessee Residence director. “It is not just the governor’s mansion to them. It belongs to the people of Tennessee, and they treasure opening its doors to welcome guests.”
The history
The Volunteer State governor resided in two other locations from 1907 to 1949. The first being the current location of the War Memorial Auditorium, found directly across the street from the Capitol. The next residence was on West End Avenue. Both have since been torn down. The South Curtiswood Lane property officially became the Tennessee Residence when the state purchased it in 1949 following Wills’ death.
The gardens
Before entering the house, the landscape will catch any eye no matter the season. The grounds, home to more than 175 trees that represent 27 different families and 63 species, are certified by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council as a Level 2 Arboretum.
Aside from the tulip poplars and Southern magnolias, there are also several gardens across the property that each hold a special meaning. The oldest is the Iris Garden. It is original to the house and is filled with gorgeous flowers just steps from the mansion.
“The irises you see today are grandbabies of the originals that the Wills family put in,” Huddleston said. “While there have been many changes over the years, this garden has held its place in history.”
Just steps from the fountain in front of the home, there is a door that leads to the Secret Garden. During her time as First Lady, Crissy Haslam dedicated her time to upgrading the grounds of the residence. Named from the beloved book, this secluded space was designed by Haslam for more private gatherings. It is surrounded by tall shrubs with a path of steppingstones that leads to a simple table and chairs. The space is cornered by four statues that were found at different areas on the property, and Haslam thought it would be best to bring them all together.
“First Lady Haslam created this beautiful garden, and we all think it is just so special,” Huddleston said.
While beauty and privacy are the focus of the first two spaces, the Kitchen and Cutting Garden at the Tennessee Residence is for growing, learning and, of course, eating. First Lady Haslam added the garden in 2013 as part of her landscape restoration project. It was designed to match how a garden might have looked when the residence was built.
Well-defined paths lead visitors through the 2,800 square feet with 10 garden beds and a greenhouse. Organic and fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown year-round and enjoyed by the first family and their visitors.
“Part of the beauty of putting our own garden in and doing our own plantings is that we can cut straight from here and either make incredible dishes or beautiful flower arrangements,” Huddleston said.
School groups are even able to participate in hands-on activities like planting basil or pulling carrots when they come to the property.
The house
Upon entering the mansion, the foyer greets guests with the classic black and white checkered floors, beautiful pillars, intricate light fixtures, a solid limestone staircase and iconic photographs from throughout history.
“This is truly the heart of the home,” Huddleston said.
The foyer is likely the most well-known room in the house as it is the common meeting space for events held at the residence. Aside from a staircase that only touches in three spots and took seven attempts to build correctly, the Tennessee Residence is a normal home enriched by items showcasing state history.
The dining room has a beautiful wooden table that when extended can seat up to 22 people. Each chair has a different seat cover that was hand done in needlepoint. Each design represents a different wildflower found in the state of Tennessee.
“We are in the Volunteer State, and all of these chair designs were done by volunteers,” Huddleston said. “You just have to love that!”
While Gov. Lee usually does his work at the Capitol, he does have a home office inside the residence. The room stands out compared to the rest of the architecture as it is paneled in knotty pine that is original to the house.
“It is kind of funny because you have this fancy Georgian-style mansion, and then you come in here and you have this knotty pine,” Huddleston said. “But this is so Tennessee. It is so ornately carved, but it is still hard pine. It is a fun juxtaposition.”
The room is filled with books, fun memories and paintings of the Lee family’s farm.
The drawing room with a portrait of former President Andrew Jackson has become quite popular in the home, especially during the holiday season. The Tennessee Residence is open to the public for viewing during Christmas, and this room is decorated with an enormous tree.
“We have 6,000 to 7,000 people come through here every Christmas, and this room just always blows me away,” Huddleston said. “It’s really something everyone has to see.”
The walls, shelves and tables of the Tennessee Residence are decorated in unique displays of antiques and artwork that demonstrate the rich and robust history of the state. The art comes from the Tennessee State Museum, and each first lady gets to pick what’s in the home. First Lady Maria Lee has chosen many pieces highlighting children and farm scenes as a reflection of both hers and the Governor’s previous professions and passions.
The second floor of the residence is completely private as it is where the Governor and First Lady live.
The meeting space
While much of the estate has been left unchanged, the Tennessee Residence underwent a renovation during Gov. Phil Bredesen’s term, which was led by First Lady Andrea Conte and the Tennessee Residence Foundation. Through those changes, ADA standard bathrooms, an elevator and an event space were added. Conservation Hall is a 14,000-square-foot subterranean meeting and banquet facility, but one wouldn’t know it by first glance.
“The event space is under the front lawn,” Huddleston said. “Since it is underground, they built an atrium for daylight. Students on field trips like to take guesses and ask if it’s a helicopter landing pad, a swimming pool or a skating rink, but it’s really the top of the garden.”
The space is used for large events and can seat up to 160 guests. It is decorated with artwork crafted by Tennessee artists, and the floor of the space was put together using wood from old barns across the state.
The people
While the house and grounds themselves at the Tennessee Residence have fascinating stories to tell, the one the Lee family sees as the most important one to share is that this is a home for everyone. That passion is clearly seen during the holiday season but also through the first lady’s Tennessee Serves initiative, through school field trips and tours, and through the company they continually invite and welcome to the mansion.
“Ever since they were elected, I have seen them both live out Luke 14:13-14,” Huddleston said. “They both take those verses to heart. There are people here regularly that wouldn’t normally get an invitation to the governor’s residence, and that is so special.”
Schedule a historic tour
Phone: 615-399-4254
Email: Tennessee.Residence@tn.gov
Website: tn.gov/residence
