Historic Travellers Rest

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Historic Travellers Rest The 1799 home of John Overton, Nashville's oldest house museum open to the public.
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We are dedicated to preserving the the 1799 home of Judge John Overton and serving as a gateway for learners of all ages to explore Nashville's historic past.

09/24/2026

It’s a beautiful day for an outdoor live music event! Can’t wait to see everyone for Live at TR this evening. Tickets are still available online till 3pm or you can purchase at the gate. Doors at 5, music begins at 5:30.

Tomorrow is the Night! Join us to raise funds for Travellers Rest while listening to the talented Trannie Anderson, Mica...
09/23/2026

Tomorrow is the Night! Join us to raise funds for Travellers Rest while listening to the talented Trannie Anderson, Micah Christopher, Emily Falvey, and Zach Kale!

We've had a last minute change to our artist line up. While we will miss having Michael Farren with us, we're excited to welcome Hunter Leath back to Live at TR.

We can't wait for a great night of live music, great company, and supporting Historic Travellers Rest.

Tickets are still available and everyone is welcome!

As you are making your plans to join us for Live at TR on Thursday, don't forget we have some great vendors that will ha...
09/22/2026

As you are making your plans to join us for Live at TR on Thursday, don't forget we have some great vendors that will have food and drink available for purchase during the event. Steaming Goat will be serving up delicious sandwiches and drinks from Colonial W**e and Spirits and Harding House will also be available. Proceeds from drink sales will benefit Travellers Rest.

Can't wait to see you in just a few days!

09/21/2026

Weather is looking great, so get your tickets now to join us THIS THURSDAY for Live at TR! Cooler weather, great live music, an incredible setting, and supporting historic preservation and education....what more could you want on a Thursday night in Nashville?

Once again we are excited to have songwriters from Belmont University participating in Live at TR! Students from Mike Cu...
09/18/2026

Once again we are excited to have songwriters from Belmont University participating in Live at TR! Students from Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business will be performing songs beginning at 5:30 prior to our hitmakers round.

We also have student tickets available for $10 for high school and college students that wish to attend.

This musical instrument is called a pianoforte. The predecessor of the modern piano, it was invented around 1700 by Bart...
09/17/2026

This musical instrument is called a pianoforte. The predecessor of the modern piano, it was invented around 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori. The name is a combination of the Italian words for soft (pianissimo) and loud (forte). When pushing the pedal, the instrument becomes softer and when released, a louder sound is produced, hence the name. Another key difference is that the pianoforte also has only 68 keys, as opposed to the modern 88 keyed instrument. Notable composers, including Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart, would have written some of their most infamous works to be played on an instrument like this.

The pianoforte in the collection at Travellers Rest was made in New York City by John Geibb and Sons. While not original to the home, the instrument was manufactured in the 1820s and is similar to the one the Overtons likely owned. During John Overton’s lifetime, instruments like the pianoforte were symbols of wealth. Only the upper class would have been able to afford their own instrument and paid for private music lessons.

To see our pianoforte, visit Historic Travellers Rest Tuesday-Saturday between the hours of 10 and 3

Today we want to thank Lamar Advertising Company and Nashville Event Lighting for their continued support of Live at TR,...
09/16/2026

Today we want to thank Lamar Advertising Company and Nashville Event Lighting for their continued support of Live at TR, as well as new sponsor, Always Best Care Senior Services . Without the support of our wonderful business sponsors, this event wouldn't be possible.

Please support the companies that support local non-profits.

Happy National Virginia Day! Judge John Overton was born in Virginia in 1766 to James Overton and Mary Waller. He was a ...
09/14/2026

Happy National Virginia Day!

Judge John Overton was born in Virginia in 1766 to James Overton and Mary Waller. He was a British Citizen for the first ten years of his life until the United States became its own country. John Overton lived in Virginia until 1789, when he moved away to pursue his legal studies. His childhood home in Louisa County is no longer standing.

Today, Virginia is for Lovers! This famous tourism slogan was first seen in 1969 in Bridal Magazine, which featured an ad depicting Anne Burras and John Layton. The ad claims the couple “Started the Virginia Honeymoon.” Anne and John are real historical figures who lived 100 years before Overton was born. They married in 1608 and are the first documented married couple in the colony. Anne worked as a seamstress and John as a carpenter. The couple had four daughters of their own, including one named Virginia. Other historic couples featured in ads include George and Martha Washington, Thomas and Martha Jefferson, and even John Rolfe and Pocahontas.

Live at TR would not be possible without these two in-kind sponsors. Nashville Audio Visual is a favorite audio vendor f...
09/14/2026

Live at TR would not be possible without these two in-kind sponsors.

Nashville Audio Visual is a favorite audio vendor for our private event rentals, and this year they are providing all the speakers, monitors, microphones and other sound equipment necessary to provide an incredible experience!

Grand Tents and Events is also a familiar vendor for our private event rentals and this year they are supplying the stage, stools for the songwriters, and some lounge furniture for our leading sponsors VIP seating.

On September 13, 1890, Elizabeth Belle Overton Lea passed away. Elizabeth was the youngest child of Judge John Overton a...
09/13/2026

On September 13, 1890, Elizabeth Belle Overton Lea passed away. Elizabeth was the youngest child of Judge John Overton and his wife, Mary. Born in 1826, she was only seven years old when her father passed away.

As a young teenager attended the Nashville Female Academy alongside her sister, Anne. The academy was founded in 1817 and was once considered the most prestigious school for women in the middle Tennessee region. By the 1830s, when Elizabeth would have been a pupil, Nashville had become known as the “Athens of the South” due to its strong educational institutions, including the academy. Classes offered included not only traditional courses for young women at the time such as drawing and music, but also more rigorous subjects such as Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Composition, and Mythology.

During the Civil War, the school suspended classes. The buildings on campus were used for a variety of military purposes. Most notable, the largest academic structure was converted into a temporary Confederate Military hospital. After the Civil War, the school never re-opened, and young women began taking their education elsewhere.

To learn more about the life of Elizabeth Belle Overton, including her time at the Nashville Female Academy, visit Historic Travellers Rest on Tuesday-Saturday between the hours of 10 and 3 for a tour.

Address

636 Farrell Pkwy
Nashville, TN
37220

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 4:30pm
Thursday 10am - 4:30pm
Friday 10am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(615) 832-8197

Website

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