Visit the Oaklands Historic House Museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

There is a gorgeous mansion called Oaklands located just a short mile from downtown Murfreesboro that is open to the public as a musem. Oaklands was built in the early 1800s by Dr. James Maney and his wife Sallie Murfree Maney; it originally was a two room brick house. Most homes in Middle Tennessee during that time period were log houses, so the Maney home was considered one of the better homes in the area. In four stages over the next 40 years many renovations transformed it into what it is today a beautiful 10,000 sq. ft. mansion. The Maney family owned Oaklands Plantation until just after the Civil War. Since then it was owned by many different people until 1954 when it was abandoned by the last owner. The City of Murfreesboro bought the house in 1958 with the intention of tearing it down for an urban renewal project. A group of ten women formed the Oaklands Association with the intention of saving the house and opening it up as a museum; which they did in 1962. A few years later in 1974 the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Beautiful trees shade the one lane paved driveway. Off to the left of the mansion is a small brick building that was moved from the former Lytle Plantation. It was the office for the plantation, now it is used for storage. The newest building to the property was in 2000, it houses the gift shop, offices and a reception area big enough to hold 150 people. To blend in with the mansion this new addition was made to look like a carriage house. Another attraction is a Spring, which is just a short distance down a paved pathway. Speaking of pathways, there is a park area with a couple of loops of paved sidewalks with trees, flowers and metal sculptures to admire.

I recommend that you watch the 15 minute video of The History of Oaklands before taking the hour long tour of the house. Side note: if you are disabled and unable to stand for an hour this tour is not for you. Also I want to note that the mansion itself does not have wheelchair access. The tours start on the hour with the last tour starting at 3 p.m. Another warning, the first time I decided to take the tour, I arrived at 5 minutes to 3 and it had already started without me. Be sure to arrive early and give yourself time to watch the video before the tour begins - you will be happy you did.

There is an admission charge of $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children. If you belong to AAA it is $6 for admission.

Operating Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Mondays are left open to accommodate groups who made reservations; it is closed for three holidays: New Years, Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.

900 North Maney Ave.,
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
615-893-0022
email: info@oaklandsmuseum.org
http://www.oaklandsmuseum.org