Weakley-Truett-Clark House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Weakley-Truett-Clark House
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 415 Rosebank Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
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| Area | 13 acres (5.3 ha) |
| Built | 1802 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Italianate, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000297 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1989 |
The Weakley-Truett-Clark House, also known as Fairfax Hall, is a very old and important mansion in Nashville, Tennessee. It has a long history and has been home to several interesting families over the years.
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Where is the Weakley-Truett-Clark House?
This historic house is located at 415 Rosebank Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. It sits on a large property that has seen many changes over more than 200 years.
A Look at Its History
The Weakley-Truett-Clark House has a fascinating past, starting in the early 1800s.
The Weakley Family's Beginning
The house was built in 1802 by a man named Samuel D. Weakley. He was an early settler in the area and worked as a surveyor, which means he measured and mapped land. The house was first built in the Federal architectural style. This style was popular in the United States during the late 1700s and early 1800s. It often features simple, elegant designs and balanced shapes.
Later, the house was passed down to Samuel's brother, Robert Weakley. Robert was an important person in early American government. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1809 to 1811. The House of Representatives is a part of the U.S. Congress, where elected officials make laws for the country.
Changes by the Truett Family
In 1855, Ezekiel Truett bought the house. He made some big changes to its look. He updated the house to the Italianate and Classical architectural styles. The Italianate style often includes features like low-pitched roofs and tall, narrow windows. The Classical style uses elements from ancient Greek and Roman buildings, like columns.
Ezekiel Truett added a two-story portico to the house. A portico is a porch with columns that supports a roof, often at the entrance of a building. He also started Rosebank Nurseries on the property. This was one of the oldest plant nurseries in the southern United States. A nursery is a place where plants are grown and sold. The street, Rosebank Avenue, actually got its name from all the beautiful roses Ezekiel grew there!
The Clark Family's Additions
In 1933, a businessman named Sheffield Clark inherited the house. He continued to make updates to the property. In 1936 and 1937, he added bathrooms and two new one-story sections to the house. Sheffield Clark was also a collector. He displayed items from the American Civil War on his mantelpieces, which are shelves above fireplaces.
Why This House is Important
The Weakley-Truett-Clark House is considered a very important historical site. It has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings since April 13, 1989. This means it is recognized by the United States government as a place worth preserving because of its historical and architectural importance.
