Gallatin

The Douglass-Clark House, located in Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee, is a historic site dedicated to sharing the multifaceted history of Sumner County and its past residents. Initially built as a home for Elmore Douglass and his family around 1786, the house was jointly used as one of the county's earliest courthouses between 1788-1790. Many different kinds of cases were tried at the house and many of the area’s earliest residents visited the house for such hearings. Andrew Jackson, who later became president, tried several cases at the property in his early law career between 1789-1790. The house and property were later sold by Elmore Douglass to his brother Reuben. The Clark family was the next generation to occupy the house beginning in 1831 when Emma Douglass, daughter of Reuben Douglass, married William Clark. Slavery was also deeply intertwined with the history of the Douglass-Clark House as documentation listed enslaved persons living at the property as early as 1790. During their years in the house, the Clark family persevered after the premature death of William Clark in 1847 and witnessed the declaration of the Civil War in 1861 followed by four of their own enlisting on behalf of the Confederate cause. Of the four young Clark men that enlisted, only one returned home after the close of the war.

2115 Long Hollow Pike, Gallatin, Tennessee, 37066

Historic Rose Mont, which is owned by the City of Gallatin, is available for weddings, meetings and other events. Rose Mont, built by Josephus Conn Guild, is a successful blending of Greek Revival and Paladian design in a rare tripartite design. It has handsome colonnaded galleries coupled with a two story pedimented portico and is recognized as one of Tennessee's outstanding Greek Revival houses by the National Register of Historic Places.

810 S Water Avenue, Gallatin, Tennessee, 37066

(615) 451-2331

John Henley Bowen built the house in 1813 as a townhome that sat on one acre of land. Bowen was a prominent lawyer and was the first person from Sumner County to serve in the United States Congress. After his death in 1822, the house was sold to William M. Blackmore in 1835. Blackmore sold it to William P. Rowles, who finally sold it to William Trousdale in 1836 for $2,500. The house is considered a late Federal style house, a period that loosely ended in 1815. The house features Flemish-style brick walls on top of a limestone foundation. The exterior brickwork is unique in its semicircular openings above the windows, which were later filled in to accommodate traditional window panes. The arched walkway and the annex were added to the house in the 1840s to serve as housing for the Trousdale sons as they became old enough for their own space. The house was equipped with electricity and running water in the late 1890s. After 1900, the house was used as the first library in Gallatin, as well as a meeting place for Confederate veterans. It was later used as a USO dance hall during World War II as well as a community center with tennis courts, civic clubs, and social receptions. Many aspects of the house have been redone through the 1950s-1970s such as the floral wallpaper and light fixtures.

183 A West Main Street, Gallatin, Tennessee, 37066

Sumner County is a haven to historic southern gems with ties to local, state, and national history. Historic Rock Castle was home to Daniel Smith, who is credited with the first official drawing of the state of Tennessee. The Douglass Clark House was the first courthouse in Sumner County with ties to former president Andrew Jackson in his early career practicing law. Now, the South Tunnel General Store is reclaiming its history as a true southern general store right in the heart of Gallatin, TN. The South Tunnel General Store was an early one stop shop for Sumner County residents. George Rodamore originally built the store in 1859 with the addition of the railroad being built in the in the area. Mr. Rodamore created the store as a location for goods, a post office, depot, and general gathering spots for the then residents. As the railroad continued to build and expand, the small general store would be moved eastward as a way to accommodate for the expanding railroad. The promise of growing prosperity and businesses from the addition of the railroad that would connect Nashville and Louisville was too attractive to pass.

310 South Tunnel Road, Gallatin, Tennessee, 37066

The historic home known as the Bridal House was built by Moore Cotton, who was the son of Thomas Cotton, one of the first settlers of Sumner County. The log home stands on the west bank of Station Camp Creek, and was built in 1819 as a wedding gift to his only daughter Elizabeth, who married Richard Hobdy, an apprentice who worked in Mr. Cotton’s blacksmith shop.

2315 TN-25, Gallatin, Tennessee, 37066

(615) 461-0819

The Sumner County Museum was founded in 1975 by John Garrott, Robert Ramsey, and others who were passionate about preserving the history of Sumner County. Since then, the Museum has welcomed thousands of visitors to engage with and learn about the rich history of Sumner County.

183 W Main St, Gallatin, Tennessee, 37066

615-451-3738 · contact@sumnercountymuseum.org