Athenaeum (Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Athenaeum
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | Columbia, TN |
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| Built | 1838 |
| Built by | Nathan Vaught |
| Architect | Adolphus Heiman |
| Architectural style | Exotic Revival, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001809 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
The Athenaeum Rectory is a very old and special building in Columbia, Tennessee. It was finished in 1837 and looks like a mix of different styles, especially Gothic and Moorish designs. This building was first used as a home for the president of a girls' school called the Columbia Female Institute. Today, it is a historic house museum. The Athenaeum Rectory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 because of its importance.
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A Home with a History
The Athenaeum Rectory has a long and interesting past. It was first planned to be the home of Samuel Polk Walker, who was the nephew of President James K. Polk. Building started in 1835.
From Private Home to School Residence
By the time the building was finished in 1837, the plans had changed. It became the home of Reverend Franklin Gillette Smith. He moved to Tennessee to be the first president of the Columbia Female Institute. This was an Episcopal school for girls.
In 1851, Rev. Smith left the Columbia Female Institute. There were some disagreements that led to his resignation. The school's co-founder, Bishop James Hervey Otey, asked him to leave. After this, Bishop Otey moved his family and his main office to Memphis, Tennessee.
The Columbia Athenaeum School
Even after leaving the first school, Rev. Smith still wanted to teach. So, he soon started a new school called the Columbia Athenaeum School. It was built right next to the Columbia Female Institute. The Athenaeum Rectory continued to be the home for the Smith family. It also had rooms where people could gather for the new school.
The Columbia Athenaeum School was open for 52 years, until 1903. It became well-known across the country for its great classes. Reverend Smith believed that girls were just as smart as boys. He offered classes that were usually only for boys, like calculus, physics, and marine biology. The main school had twelve buildings in total.
After the school closed, the Smith family sold the property. A local high school used the buildings until 1914. Then, in 1915, the City of Columbia built a new high school on the land.
Members of the Smith family lived in the Athenaeum Rectory until 1973. Then, they gave the building to a group called the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. This group helps take care of old buildings. Today, the rectory is a historic house museum. Visitors can take tours and learn about its past. There is also a small cottage that Rev. Smith used as his study, which is still there today. Twice a year, special events are held to show what it was like for young women to go to school there long ago.
What Makes the Athenaeum Rectory Special?
The Athenaeum Rectory is special because it mixes many different building styles. You can see parts of Gothic, Moorish, Greek Revival, and Italianate styles.
The building was designed by Adolphus Heiman. He was an architect in the early 1800s who designed many buildings in the middle Tennessee area. Nathan Vaught, a skilled builder from Maury County, was in charge of constructing the building.
Today, the beautifully restored home is open for guided tours.
