While I grew up visiting Oaklands Mansion, I’ve returned frequently as a parent to the historic grounds to enjoy them with my children. From its herb and vegetable gardens, to its walking paths, to its arboretum, there are lots of wonderful ways to enjoy the city’s oldest antebellum mansion.
While the grounds deserve the respect due an historic property, visitors and families are invited to enjoy the ground thoroughly like you would any other park—bring bikes, walk the paths, take a picnic. Of course, clean up after yourself and don’t tread on the cultivated areas, but otherwise there’s no reason to let respect equal stuffy when visiting.
- Relax at Oaklands Park
The play area and covered picnic tables might one of the more forgotten family attractions in the city, but having busy kiddos will make you go searching high and low for any place of climbing interest! An impressive jungle gym sits right next to the covered picnic tables, making it perfect for sunny days (or those iffy rainy ones) where you need a quick shelter to stay dry or take a break. Clean bathrooms are situated in the pavilion, which is also near the parking lot, meaning the older kids can keep running and climbing while mom runs to the car or takes small ones to the bathroom. Water fountains are also in the pavilion.
2. Take the Walking Paths
Just down from the playground is a walking path leading next to the Wetlands. See native flowers cultivated in the green spaces and the charming wrought iron figure of a soldier reading in the grass. The Wetlands owes its origins to Maney Spring, which you can see fenced in, and find tadpoles and minnows. The spring house served as the mansion’s original refrigerator, and now its cold, clear waters are still flowing for visitors to see.
3. Visit the Heritage Gardens
Behind the mansion guests will want to visit the pretty outdoor reception area with its indigenous herb and flower herb cultivated by groundskeeper Connor Moss and local gardeners. It’s completely open to visitors to meander around the pretty beds. My kids enjoyed the fragrant herbs, and I picked up a few inspirational notes for what I want to plant next in my own beds.
More garden space has also been planted in the front yard of the mansion, featuring raised vegetable gardens, along with flowers and vines. A good destination in a stroll, and educational in its own right, it’s also a good area for little ones to run around and explore. See if they can find the iron sculpture of a horse and ploughman covered with ivy.
4. Hug Some Trees at the Arboretum
The Oakland Native Tree Arboretum walking trail is perfect for viewing fall foliage (or enjoying shade in the summer!) It’s certified by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, meaning that the trees of the property are all cultivated and protected for educational, scientific and aesthetic resources, is open to the public, and all trees are identified with plaques. While my preschoolers may not quite get all that, we do have the chance to stop and investigate the leaves, buds, and seeds dropped from the indigenous trees along our way and snap a selfie with the 250-year-old oak on the property.
5. Take a Tour
If you’re ready to head inside, take a self-guided or group tour with a leader through the Maney mansion. Built in 1815, the house experienced gradual additions until the Civil War, during which it was part of the battle of Murfreesboro (note bullet holes in several of the buildings) and a hospital for wounded soldiers. Visitors can learn about the architectural additions and lifestyle of the family and its slaves, as well as period trappings throughout the house including portraits of the Maney family members, their furniture, art work, and holiday customs.
6. Exit Through the Gift Shop
I’m not sure what comes up for you when you think of a museum gift shop, but you won’t want to miss Oakland’s. Choose hand-crafted art pieces like the fountain pens and scarves, or signature candles (named for members of the Maney family) and Antebellum-era toys and sweets. Don't forget to peek at the pottery, or pick up one of the site's posters for the local memorabilia collector.
Oaklands Mansion is located at 900 N. Maney Avenue in Murfreesboro and is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Call 615-893-0022 or visit oaklandsmansion.org or their Facebook page for information on events and special hours.
Laura Beth Payne is a writer mama and Murfreesboro native who lives in the Blackman community with her husband and two children. Follow her at @murfreesboromama on Facebook and Instagram for more family fun in and around the city.