Nashville!

Belmont Mansion, a 180 acre Nasvhille estate located at the center of Belmont University, is known for being the once proud home of Adelicia Acklen, one of the wealthiest women in the 19th century.

Just like its mistress, the 20, 000 square foot Italian styled villa, has definitely withstood the test of times without shedding any bit of grandeur.  Adelicia Acklen survived three marriages and the loss of six out of her ten children, yet still succeeded in being one of the wealthiest people in 19th century America.

Shortly after marrying in 1849, Joseph and Adelicia Acklen began the construction of Belmont Mansion, which was intended to be their summer home.  It was constructed in one of the tallest hills in Nashville, which is why it was named Bellemonte, which in Italian means Beautiful Mountain.

When her husband died during the war, Adelicia was forced to travel to their Louisiana plantation in order to continue the family business.  By cleverly playing both sides (Union and Confederate), she was able to export 2, 800 bales of cotton to England and sold it for approximately $960, 000.00 USD.

Equipped with 36 rooms, an art gallery, bowling alley and billiard parlor, it is no surprise why this Italian-styled estate was known for its magnificent parties.  The Belmont estate is not only surrounded by majestic circular gardens, it also has its own artificial lake, a zoo, bear house, aviary and a 200 foot greenhouse within the 20,000 square foot villa.

The mansion is also known for its 105 water foot tower, which just like the house has withstood the test of times.  Belmont Mansion is also home of the largest collection of nineteenth-century cast iron garden ornaments in the United States.

The house is also famous for its Grand Salon, the most majestic room in antebellum (pre-war) Tenessee, known for its 22-foot-tall barrel-vaulted ceiling and Corinthian columns, chandeliers and fine paintings.  The 58 foot long room was where Adelicia held a reception for 2,000 guests when she married her third husband in 1867.

Below the grandeur of the Belmont Mansion, was an 8, 500 square foot basement where the kitchen and other service areas were made available to the 750 slaves that Adelicia had at the time, which acts as a reality check on the living situation of the Old South during the time.

Although, the mansion still stands proud and strong, 145 years of wear and tear have taken its own share out of the magnificent edifice, which led the Belmont Mansion Association to start raising funds in 2006 to begin restoration of Belmont Mansion.  The quest to restore Belmont Mansion to its former grandeur continues up to this day.

Today, Belmont Mansion is no longer kept exclusive to the rich and elite members of society.  Its doors are now opened to the public in the form of guided tours.  Soon-to-be married couples may even choose to spend their weddings in the magnificent villa and children may also experience a Victorian tea party in the proud halls.