Step into a garden walk through history. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon as Eric Jackson, Director of Horticulture at Old Salem Museums & Gardens in Winston-Salem, shares how the Moravians’ visionary approach to land stewardship and sustainability continues to shape Old Salem’s vibrant landscapes today. From rare plant discoveries to centuries-old garden management practices, this event offers a fascinating blend of history, agriculture, ecology, and education to tie together our history at Belmont Mansion with the history of horticulture. Following Mr. Jackson’s presentation, you will be taken on a tour through Belmont University’s gardens and arboretum and finish the afternoon off with a reception in Belmont Mansion’s grand salon. Reserve your spot and be part of this inspiring journey through horticultural heritage and to celebrate 170 years of Belmont Mansion’s gardens: https://www.belmontmansion.com/events Take a listen to some of what Mr. Jackson may share on Saturday, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK_vfgXl-Xw All proceeds from the event support the preservation of Belmont Mansion. #belmontmansion #oldsalem #nashville #historicgardens #belmont #visitmusiccity #thingstodoinnashville #19thcenturygarden (fb)

Restoration Retrospective For #throwbackthursday we’re diving into the blog archives and highlighting restoration work from the last ten years. Today, we’re looking at the staircase to the cupola. Step By Step- Adelicia’s Cupola Stair Restoration Begins - Originally published in August 2015 A generous gift, allowed Belmont Mansion to begin a phase of restoration many people truly believed they would not see in their lifetime. Over the last two years research has guided restoration work in the upper gallery to return it to its historic appearance. We began by marbleizing the floor to replicate its historic pattern, next we painted the columns and pilasters white. Then we hung reproduction portraits on the walls as contemporary accounts record. The last major element in the room was the staircase to the cupola. Work to structurally stabilize the stair happened in the 1990s, but this amazing free flying staircase still retained all of its college era finishes and dark varnish. Research began by stripping two of the four newel posts to remove a century of blackened varnish which revealed a finely grained mahogany finish. A couple from Kansas who had visited months before recently contacted us asking about projects they could support. Their subsequent donation funded this project. The work included stripping and staining the walnut balusters, recreating the graining, and restoring the newel posts and cherry handrail. Today, the 1860s appearance of Belmont’s cupola stairs is the one guests see. For more on the staircase, visit the Belmont Mansion blog, https://www.belmontmansion.com/blog The restoration of Belmont Mansion has been ongoing since Belmont University and a group of forward-looking community members established a non-profit organization to ensure the mansion remained a vital part of the Nashville history community. This series of posts highlights just some of the work that is bringing the house back to its 19th century appearance. #belmont #nationalregisterofhistoricplaces #visitmusiccity #nashville #thingstodoinnashville (fb)