History from the Mabry-Hazen House

This lovely house was built in 1858 on top of Mabry's Hill in Knoxville, Tennessee. It served as headquarters for both the Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War and housed three generations of the same family until 1987. I found the guided tour to be excellent and the docent to be one of the most knowledgeable that I've had.

Built in the Victorian Period, the house presents both Italian and Greek Revival features. It also holds one of the largest collections of original family antiques in America. As such, it offers a rare glimpse into the Victorian and Civil War eras. The house tells many stories, such as ones from the Civil War in an area with about half Confederate supporters and half Union sympathizers, of a gunfight over conflicts, and a Breach of Promise lawsuit over a perpetually postponed marriage.

When the Civil War began, Joseph Mabry, Jr., a wealthy Knoxville businessman, pledged to personally outfit an entire Confederate regiment at a cost of around $100,000. Because of this, he was awarded the honorary title of Confederate General. However, when the Union controlled the area, his business sense demanded he be friendly to them, too. In fact, the Union forces probably had the greatest impact when they set up their headquarters in the house and fortified the grounds as part of their Knoxville strategy.

Mabry died in 1882, and his daughter Alice and her husband, Rush Strong Hazen, occupied the house. Eventually, their youngest daughter, Evelyn, lived there with only her dogs and cats until her death in 1987. Her will stated that the house was either to become a museum or be demolished. It opened as a museum in 1992.

Open Monday - Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
          Saturday, 10:00 am - 3:00 p.m.
          Sunday, closed

Admission - $10 for adults, children under 18 free

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