Fontanel Mansion: A Piece of Nashville History
Just fifteen minutes north of downtown Nashville, the city lights disappear and the Tennessee hills take over. Tucked into the trees of Whites Creek sits a landmark that has been part of Music City for nearly forty years.
It is called the Fontanel Mansion. And it has quite the story to tell.
A Home Built for a Country Music Legend
Barbara Mandrell built this place in 1988 at the height of her career. She named it Fontanel after the soft spot on a baby’s head because she wanted it to be a safe, comfortable place for her family to gather. That is the sweet part. The impressive part is that she had more than forty truckloads of timber hauled all the way from Montana. Some of those logs weighed nearly two tons each.
This is not a small cabin. The mansion has 27,000 square feet of space with more than twenty rooms, thirteen bathrooms, five fireplaces, two full kitchens, and an indoor pool that converts into a dance floor. At the time it was built, it was considered the largest log home in the United States.
The Stories That Linger in the Walls
The Mandrell family lived in the mansion until 2002, and the house has seen plenty of history. Some of the famous guests included Bob Hope, Jackie Kennedy, and Oprah Winfrey, who actually taped an episode of her show cooking in the kitchen with Barbara.
But let us get to the fun stories.
There is an indoor shooting range in the mansion. And apparently some country stars got a little carried away during late night parties. According to historical accounts, Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock both left their mark on the range walls after a particularly wild party hosted by the owners at the time. The bullet holes are still visible today. Another story involves a well known country star jumping off a balcony into the pool and breaking his foot.
Oh man, my mom is going to be so mad. I am going to be grounded.
When Barbara Mandrell’s daughter Jaime returned to the house years after her family sold it, that is reportedly about what she thought as she looked around. The house has a personality that you just cannot make up.
A Second Life and a Grand Reopening
The mansion has had quite a journey. It was a tourist attraction for years, then sat vacant and ended up on Historic Nashville Inc.’s list of at risk historic properties. New owner Clinton Holcomb bought it in 2022 and spent years carefully restoring it. He refinished the wood floors, repainted the iron railings, and brought the whole place back to life.
Today, the Fontanel Mansion is open again. It hosts weddings, private events, and community gatherings. The indoor pool room has been reimagined to accommodate up to 200 guests for seated dinners. The old ice cream parlor where Mandrell’s kids used to hang out is now a speakeasy with a pool table and a small stage.
A Bridgerton-Themed Tea Party You Cannot Miss
If you are looking for something truly special, the Fontanel now hosts a Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Reservations are required, and the experience is straight out of the Regency era.
You get a formal tea service featuring English Breakfast and a curated selection of fine teas. The tiered trays come packed with savory delights like cucumber sandwiches, dill beef tea sandwiches, and petite quiche, plus warm scones with strawberry jam and an assortment of tarts, macarons, and truffles.
After tea, you can stroll the 118 acre property past the koi pond, waterfalls, and winding creek. And here is the best part. You can add a historic mansion tour to your tea experience for just twenty dollars more.
The dress code is formal attire, with Regency inspired fashion highly encouraged. No jeans, shorts, or flip flops. Lady Whistledown would absolutely not approve.
Turn Your Visit Into a Full Day Adventure
This is the part I am most excited to tell you about.
The property is over a hundred acres of beautiful Tennessee woods, and right there on the land behind the mansion, Adventureworks Ziplines is waiting for you. We have six thrilling lines that send you soaring through the treetops. Some of the lines stretch up to a thousand feet and reach heights of around eighty feet. From up there, you get an incredible view of the mansion and the rolling hills all around you.
It is the perfect way to turn a historic tour into a full day of adventure. Start with a Bridgerton tea or a mansion tour. Soak in the history and the stories. Then head over to the zipline course for a little adrenaline.
Bundle It and Plan Your Visit
We have partnered with Fontanel to offer bundle packages that make it easy and affordable to do both — just ask about it at the ticket desk or check our website for current deals.
Whether you are a country music fan, a history buff, or just looking for something different to do in Nashville, Fontanel Mansion is a must see. The stories are legendary. The tea is elegant. And the whole place has a personality that you will not find anywhere else.
Book your mansion tour or tea experience at fontanelestate.com and book your zipline adventure with us. Mention this blog and ask about the bundle. We would love to see you out here.