Carnton Plantation
Remembering America's Civil War
Back to Carnton Plantation
My husband and I toured Carnton Plantation last month and are planning another trip there in a few weeks in order to take our daughter who is a history major. I sincerely hope we do not have the same tour guide. He talked so fast I couldn't understand what he was saying and he was more intent on giving a lecture of the battle of Franklin (which was okay I guess but I had already read up on that before embarking on the trip to TN). I was more interested in learning about the house and the people who lived there and the hardships they endured etc...
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 20 2009
My family and I recently toured the Carnton house and grounds. The tour guide was knowledgeable and very interesting. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, the grounds and the adjacent Confederate and McGavock cemeteries. I love history and this experience sure brought it to life for our whole family. It was surreal, solemn and exciting all at the same time. Idefinitely recommend a visit.
Reviewed by: David from on May 14 2009
After reading the novel "Widow of the South," that takes place at the Carnton house, I was looking forward to my visit. What a waste of money. The tour inside the house was mostly just about the furniture and style of the home. Boring. And you can't take pics inside. I'd recommend you go and walk around the outside of the house and then visit the cemetery. For free.
Reviewed by: MeganM from on Apr 20 2009
But too bad we were not invited! Staff at the gift shop (where you get your tickets) didn't even acknowledge we were there. With that service we decided not to go in. However, the building where the gift shop is located has some artifacts and memorabilia on display that really makes you wonder about the history behind the whole plantation. It has signs and pictures of slaves that used to work at this site. 300 years ago = sadness, slavery, and war... 2008 = spot for a wedding (there was one taking place when we visited). Ironic, isn't it? Fence around the house could use some touchup paint. Outside the main gate you'll find the Carnton Cemetery which is really impressive and deserves some time to read the history plaque at the entrance.
Reviewed by: Paul L from on Jul 08 2008
My experience was specific to the summer outdoor concert serier, featuring the "7 Bridges" band. This picnic style event was GREAT! The scenic plantation as a backdrop for an outdoor concert was wonderful. People were really going all out to bring a fun atmosphere with themes for their picnic. There were kids there which was okay I guess but it really felt more like a non-kid event to me. They didn't really distract too much, but there's not much for them to do but run around and scream...which they did.
Reviewed by: Tn Jet Ski from on Jul 04 2008
My first visit to Carnton was a ghost tour on a brisk evening with flurries. It was so surreal to be driving that long, gravel, winding road back to the home. Once turned off the main drive in the dark, there is nothing around until you crest the point of seeing the lights from the small visitor’s center.
Reviewed by: SEW from on Nov 02 2007
The whole tour was fascinating. Our tour guide spent a lot of time telling us about the history of the place. Just standing in these rooms where many soldiers died, maybe even some of my ancestors, gave me the chills. I very much enjoyed touring the garden and the Cemetary. IT was very humbling to just stand and reflect about all that the people buried in the cemetary must have gone through. I would recommend this tour for anyone who is interested in the history of our country.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 13 2007
Just took the Ghost Tour on Friday the 13th. It was great! The tour guide was very knowledgable and answered all of our questions. We toured the house by candle light which added to the ambience. Of course since this was a Ghost Tour most of the stories were about hauntings in the house, but we also were told quite a bit about the history of the home and those who lived there. It was well worth the cost of the tour. We were also able to tour the cemetery in the dark which was pretty spooky. This tour was lots of fun for my teenagers, they were spooked and got a valuable dose of history to boot!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 15 2006
I was born and raised in Williamson county. When I was a boy I visited Carnton, because I knew the family that lived in the house and farmed the land.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Aug 21 2006
great place for anyone with an interest in the american civil war to visit. The tour was great and very informative. Almost feel as if you have stepped back in time. If you love to visit Civil War Battle fields make sure to put this on your list.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jan 14 2006
Remembering America's Civil War
Back to Carnton Plantation
My husband and I toured Carnton Plantation last month and are planning another trip there in a few weeks in order to take our daughter who is a history major. I sincerely hope we do not have the same tour guide. He talked so fast I couldn't understand what he was saying and he was more intent on giving a lecture of the battle of Franklin (which was okay I guess but I had already read up on that before embarking on the trip to TN). I was more interested in learning about the house and the people who lived there and the hardships they endured etc...
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 20 2009
My family and I recently toured the Carnton house and grounds. The tour guide was knowledgeable and very interesting. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, the grounds and the adjacent Confederate and McGavock cemeteries. I love history and this experience sure brought it to life for our whole family. It was surreal, solemn and exciting all at the same time. Idefinitely recommend a visit.
Reviewed by: David from on May 14 2009
After reading the novel "Widow of the South," that takes place at the Carnton house, I was looking forward to my visit. What a waste of money. The tour inside the house was mostly just about the furniture and style of the home. Boring. And you can't take pics inside. I'd recommend you go and walk around the outside of the house and then visit the cemetery. For free.
Reviewed by: MeganM from on Apr 20 2009
But too bad we were not invited! Staff at the gift shop (where you get your tickets) didn't even acknowledge we were there. With that service we decided not to go in. However, the building where the gift shop is located has some artifacts and memorabilia on display that really makes you wonder about the history behind the whole plantation. It has signs and pictures of slaves that used to work at this site. 300 years ago = sadness, slavery, and war... 2008 = spot for a wedding (there was one taking place when we visited). Ironic, isn't it? Fence around the house could use some touchup paint. Outside the main gate you'll find the Carnton Cemetery which is really impressive and deserves some time to read the history plaque at the entrance.
Reviewed by: Paul L from on Jul 08 2008
My experience was specific to the summer outdoor concert serier, featuring the "7 Bridges" band. This picnic style event was GREAT! The scenic plantation as a backdrop for an outdoor concert was wonderful. People were really going all out to bring a fun atmosphere with themes for their picnic. There were kids there which was okay I guess but it really felt more like a non-kid event to me. They didn't really distract too much, but there's not much for them to do but run around and scream...which they did.
Reviewed by: Tn Jet Ski from on Jul 04 2008
My first visit to Carnton was a ghost tour on a brisk evening with flurries. It was so surreal to be driving that long, gravel, winding road back to the home. Once turned off the main drive in the dark, there is nothing around until you crest the point of seeing the lights from the small visitor’s center.
Reviewed by: SEW from on Nov 02 2007
The whole tour was fascinating. Our tour guide spent a lot of time telling us about the history of the place. Just standing in these rooms where many soldiers died, maybe even some of my ancestors, gave me the chills. I very much enjoyed touring the garden and the Cemetary. IT was very humbling to just stand and reflect about all that the people buried in the cemetary must have gone through. I would recommend this tour for anyone who is interested in the history of our country.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 13 2007
Just took the Ghost Tour on Friday the 13th. It was great! The tour guide was very knowledgable and answered all of our questions. We toured the house by candle light which added to the ambience. Of course since this was a Ghost Tour most of the stories were about hauntings in the house, but we also were told quite a bit about the history of the home and those who lived there. It was well worth the cost of the tour. We were also able to tour the cemetery in the dark which was pretty spooky. This tour was lots of fun for my teenagers, they were spooked and got a valuable dose of history to boot!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 15 2006
I was born and raised in Williamson county. When I was a boy I visited Carnton, because I knew the family that lived in the house and farmed the land.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Aug 21 2006
great place for anyone with an interest in the american civil war to visit. The tour was great and very informative. Almost feel as if you have stepped back in time. If you love to visit Civil War Battle fields make sure to put this on your list.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jan 14 2006
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