Carter House

Carter House is a historic house museum located in Franklin, Tennessee, that played a significant role in the American Civil War, particularly during the Battle of Franklin in 1864, which involved Confederate States Army forces under the command of John Bell Hood and United States Army forces led by John McAllister Schofield. The house was built by Fountain Branch Carter and his wife, Tolbert Carter, and has been associated with several notable figures, including Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman. The Carter House has been recognized for its historical significance by the National Park Service and the Tennessee Historical Commission.

● History

The Carter House was constructed in 1830 by Joseph Reiff for Fountain Branch Carter, a wealthy farmer and merchant, and his family, including his wife Tolbert Carter and their children, Fountain Branch Carter Jr. and Tolbert Carter Jr.. During the American Civil War, the house was used as a command post by United States Army forces, including those led by John McAllister Schofield and David S. Stanley, and was a key location during the Battle of Franklin in 1864, which also involved Confederate States Army forces under the command of John Bell Hood and Alexander P. Stewart. The battle was a decisive victory for the United States Army and marked a significant turning point in the war, with notable figures such as Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman playing important roles in the conflict. The Carter House has also been associated with other notable events and figures, including the Emancipation Proclamation and Abraham Lincoln.

● Architecture

The Carter House is a classic example of Antebellum architecture in the Southern United States, with a mix of Greek Revival and Federal style influences, similar to other notable buildings such as the Hermitage and Belle Meade Plantation. The house features a central hallway, parlor, dining room, and kitchen, as well as several bedrooms and outbuildings, including a smokehouse and carriage house, which were common features of plantation houses during the Antebellum era. The house was designed by Joseph Reiff, a prominent architect in Tennessee, who also designed other notable buildings, including the Tennessee State Capitol and Belmont Mansion. The Carter House has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major restoration project in the 1950s led by the Carter House Association, which aimed to preserve the house's original architecture and historic integrity.

● Preservation

The Carter House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and has been recognized as a historic landmark by the National Park Service and the Tennessee Historical Commission. The house is owned and operated by the Carter House Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the house and its history, with support from organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Tennessee Preservation Trust. The association offers guided tours of the house and grounds, which include the Carter House Museum and the Carter House Gift Shop, as well as educational programs and events, such as the annual Battle of Franklin reenactment, which aims to promote historic preservation and education. The Carter House has also been the subject of several preservation efforts, including a major restoration project in the 2000s, which was supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

● Significance

The Carter House is significant not only for its architecture and historic integrity but also for its role in the American Civil War and the Battle of Franklin, which was a pivotal battle in the war, involving notable figures such as Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman. The house has been recognized as a key location in the battle, with several notable events taking place on the grounds, including the Battle of Franklin and the Surrender at Appomattox, which marked the end of the war. The Carter House has also been associated with several notable figures, including Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Stonewall Jackson, who played important roles in the conflict. The house has been the subject of several books and articles, including works by Shelby Foote and James M. McPherson, and has been featured in several documentaries and films, including Ken Burns's The Civil War.

● Tourism

The Carter House is a popular tourist destination in Franklin, Tennessee, attracting visitors from across the United States and around the world, including Europe and Asia. The house offers guided tours of the grounds and museum, which include exhibits on the American Civil War, the Battle of Franklin, and the history of the Carter family, with notable artifacts such as Civil War uniforms and artillery pieces. Visitors can also explore the surrounding grounds, which include a cemetery and several outbuildings, such as the smokehouse and carriage house, which offer a glimpse into life on a plantation during the Antebellum era. The Carter House is located near several other historic sites, including the Lotz House Museum and the Carnton Plantation, which offer a comprehensive look at the history of the region, including the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era. The house is also close to several notable cities, including Nashville, Tennessee and Chattanooga, Tennessee, which offer a range of cultural and historical attractions, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Tennessee Aquarium. Category:Historic houses in Tennessee