2024 Gallatin Christmas Ornament: Historic Fairvue Mansion
(Fourteenth in the series from the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce)
Fairvue Mansion, located in Gallatin, Tennessee, is a significant landmark with a rich and layered history. Built in 1832 by Isaac Franklin, a prominent plantation owner and slave trader, the mansion stands on what was once a 2,000-acre plantation. Designed by Franklin himself, the home blends several architectural styles, including Georgian Colonial, Jeffersonian Classical, Adamesque, and Greek Revival. Franklin relied on the labor of enslaved people to construct the mansion under the supervision of white craftsmen, and the grounds once included numerous outbuildings, such as stables, a blacksmith shop, and nearly twenty slave houses. While the mansion's grandeur reflects the wealth of its era, the lives of the enslaved individuals who built and worked on the estate are a crucial part of its history. Fairvue also became known for its legacy in horse racing, as Franklin and later owners bred some of the finest thoroughbreds in the country, contributing to Tennessee's early reputation as a center for racing excellence. William H. Wemyss (a cofounder of Jarman Shoe Company) bought Fairvue in 1934. Five years later, he married “Miss Ellen” and she began restoring the house and grounds. She was a lifelong preservationist and leader in restoration of historical homes in Tennessee and had Fairvue designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
The Historic Fairvue Mansion is still a private residence today, located on Rozella Way, Gallatin.
Today, the mansion stands as a reminder of both the beauty and complexities of Southern history, with ongoing efforts to preserve and share the fuller narrative of the estate, honoring not only its architectural and sporting achievements but also the lives of those who labored in its shadow
Our keepsake ornaments are produced by Beacon Design by Chemart, producers of the White House Historical Association ornaments since 1981. These keepsakes are 100% handcrafted in the U.S.A. We hope these collectible ornaments will become heirlooms to pass down from generation to generation in your family.