Carnton Plantation, Franklin

The tour was like a trip through time. Historian/tour guide (Ben Cross) was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He really let us know how it felt to be at Carnton during the Battle of Franklin. Highly recommended!

Our tour guide was very knowlegible about both the family and the battle. He made history come alive. My husband and I enjoy visiting civil war battle fields and cemetaries and other historical sites. This was well worth our time and money. If you a tour that talks about furniture, etc. then this is not for you. If you want to learn history then you will enjoy this.

Being from California I had never heard of The Battle of Franklin or Carnton Plantation, but after taking two kids to Space Camp the lady at our hotel recommended it to us on our way back to Nashville. I read one other reviewer here who had the same reaction as I did in the exact same room. I loved the history of the house, but almost as soon as we pulled up a strong feeling of dread came over me as well. So much so that I asked my cousin what the story was with this place.I am not a "spooky type" person at all, but I was ready to get out of that house for sure. After the tour I understood a little better about the importance of the place. For folks that don't understand why they have weddings and such on the grounds, this home is not supported by government funds and they need to make money for the upkeep.

We have visited Carnton Plantation several times in the past couple of years. We were really disappointed in the staff. Their knowledge of the plantation, the McGavocks, & the battle are all scripted and unorganized. There was no real enthusiam for the plantation and it's owners. They need people with a passion for history to take charge of this beautiful place. I have a feeling that a Carrie would be very disappointed in the way her home is being show cased. We've been fortunate to have visited many historical homes in the US. Carnton workers were not friendly and wanted to just get the tour over with. The last time we were there this summer our tour guide was wearing tight jeans & stilletto heels red hills. The men in the group didn't hear a word she said. Most of the historical places have their tour guides and workers in the gift shop wear period attair. Carnton should be thinking about doing this in respect for the McGavock family and certainly for the historical town of Franklin TN. Do not get me wrong, someone has spent a great deal of money and time to restore this lovely home. To them I say "thank you". I will be going back, not because of any of its workers. I will be going back because I love and respect our American heritage and Carnton. Carnton is truly a "diamond in the rough". Franklin could give Gettysburg PA a run for it's money. But there's a big difference in Carnton verses the Dobbin House, Jenny Wade home, Cashtown Inn, etc of PA. It's called honor and respect.

My husband and I toured Carnton Plantation last month and are planning another trip there in a few weeks in order to take our daughter who is a history major. I sincerely hope we do not have the same tour guide. He talked so fast I couldn't understand what he was saying and he was more intent on giving a lecture of the battle of Franklin (which was okay I guess but I had already read up on that before embarking on the trip to TN). I was more interested in learning about the house and the people who lived there and the hardships they endured etc... Upon entering the second floor of the home (where the bedrooms are located), I could feel a sense of dread. Then when I entered the room where the surgeries had taken place, I became so nauseous and felt like a heavy presence was bearing down on me. I had to step out of the room and once all the other tourists had left the room, I briefly stepped back in and looked at all the surgical instruments in the display case. As we were leaving the second floor to go back down to the foyer, we were told to 'look up' at the 3rd floor landing at the piece of the original wallpaper which was still there. As I did, I felt as if someone or something was looking down at me and could not stand there for very long. I'm not an overly superstitious woman but I did feel something paranormal there and hope to experience those feelings and perhaps more on my return visit there and hopefully will not have to suffer through the same tour guide!

My family and I recently toured the Carnton house and grounds. The tour guide was knowledgeable and very interesting. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, the grounds and the adjacent Confederate and McGavock cemeteries. I love history and this experience sure brought it to life for our whole family. It was surreal, solemn and exciting all at the same time. Idefinitely recommend a visit.

After reading the novel "Widow of the South," that takes place at the Carnton house, I was looking forward to my visit. What a waste of money. The tour inside the house was mostly just about the furniture and style of the home. Boring. And you can't take pics inside. I'd recommend you go and walk around the outside of the house and then visit the cemetery. For free. If you're wanting to learn about the battle of Franklin, the tour of the Carter House was much more informative and interesting. That one's worth paying for. Plus they show a movie that does a good job of explaining the battle of Franklin. And they have a museum. GO TO THE CARTER HOUSE INSTEAD.

But too bad we were not invited! Staff at the gift shop (where you get your tickets) didn't even acknowledge we were there. With that service we decided not to go in. However, the building where the gift shop is located has some artifacts and memorabilia on display that really makes you wonder about the history behind the whole plantation. It has signs and pictures of slaves that used to work at this site. 300 years ago = sadness, slavery, and war... 2008 = spot for a wedding (there was one taking place when we visited). Ironic, isn't it? Fence around the house could use some touchup paint. Outside the main gate you'll find the Carnton Cemetery which is really impressive and deserves some time to read the history plaque at the entrance.

My experience was specific to the summer outdoor concert serier, featuring the "7 Bridges" band. This picnic style event was GREAT! The scenic plantation as a backdrop for an outdoor concert was wonderful. People were really going all out to bring a fun atmosphere with themes for their picnic. There were kids there which was okay I guess but it really felt more like a non-kid event to me. They didn't really distract too much, but there's not much for them to do but run around and scream...which they did. Otherwise it is a must see event. If you are starving for something different to do, then this is it! It is a bring your own food/drink event, so pack the chairs/blankets/beverage and hang out. We love to people watch and there was plenty of people there this time, about 1000+ I'd guess. We drove 120 miles to attend and it was worth it. The next concert is July 27 and we're already planning to bring friends this time.

My first visit to Carnton was a ghost tour on a brisk evening with flurries. It was so surreal to be driving that long, gravel, winding road back to the home. Once turned off the main drive in the dark, there is nothing around until you crest the point of seeing the lights from the small visitor’s center. Once we were told to start making our way to the house, we crossed the back lawn. We waited on the back porch and its surrounding grounds for a few minutes. Once inside, the house was only lit by candlelight. It was amazingly cozy, but yet eerie at the same time. Throughout the evening we were bestowed stories of ghosts interlaced with great stories of history. After inside, we found that the porch on which we earlier stood was the same place four deceased generals had been laid. We were also escorted out to the cemetery. It was unreal to think of the thousand plus soldiers buried there. The stories of the surgeries and time-period methods should make us all thankful for the sacrifice of those soldiers and of those who cared for them. After the tour we were permitted to walk the grounds at our leisure. It was just unimaginable how it felt to be standing where our history’s presidents and generals stood and pondered the blood war at hand. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn about our history and to help support the ongoing efforts to keep this type of treasure available to enjoy.