Homestead ManorEST. 2014

Homestead Manor’s heritage is layered with tales nearly two centuries old……

Built by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Giddens, construction first started on Homestead Manor in 1799. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Manor is a 4,000-square-foot plantation-style home with nine historically distinctive rooms on three stories. In 1819, when it was completed, there was only one other house that stood between Homestead Manor and the town of Columbia.

On March 5, 1863, the property became a ground-zero site for 6,000 Civil War soldiers. Alice Thompson and other women from the area hid in the home’s basement (by this time owned by the Banks family) as the Confederates led their cavalry across the property toward Union lines. After the battle, many of the wounded were taken into the Manor to be treated.

In 1887, the Banks family sold the home, and it passed through several hands over the years. A member of the family bought it back in 1959, but a decade later it passed out of family ownership again. Former owner William Darby said a cannon ball found lodged in a tree in the front yard was used as a doorstop for years by the Banks family, and it became a tradition to pass the ball to subsequent owners. Today, visitors can view that cannon ball at Homestead.

In spring 2013, Homestead Manor commemorated 150 years since the storied fight with its grand re-opening of the beautiful home and a battle re-enactment that drew thousands. The property was also placed under permanent conservation easement through The Land Trust of Tennessee. The property was most recently purchased in summer of 2020 with plans to open it up for the community with 1819 Coffee, provide event space in a multi-faceted destination that would become a jewel within the Thompson’s Station community.

Today, the home sits as a preserved oasis surrounded by lush green grass, mature trees and gentle hills that define the landscape. The versatile venue includes an event barn, schoolhouse, manor and multiple large event lawns.

Our indoor/outdoor open-concept event barn has recently been renovated to accommodate any type of milestone event. Our 6000-square-foot manor has been utilized in the past for bridal and baby showers, tea parties, corporate meetings, and so much more. The first floor in the manor and our conservatory is dedicated to our community coffee shop, 1819 Coffee. In addition, we also have a 780-square-foot schoolhouse, built-in 1814, that we use as a bridal suite and office space.