Rattle and Snap, Greek Revival plantation in Maury County, United States.
Rattle and Snap is a Greek Revival plantation mansion built from limestone and brick on a hilltop near Columbia, in Maury County, Tennessee. Ten large Corinthian columns define the front of the building, framing a wide entry hall that leads into rooms decorated with carved woodwork and ornamental plasterwork.
The property traces back to a bet in which Colonel William Polk won a large tract of land from North Carolina's governor in the late 1700s. His son George built the mansion in 1845, and the estate was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places and named a National Historic Landmark.
The carved woodwork, plasterwork, and ceiling details inside were made by enslaved artisans whose skills shaped every room. Their work is still visible throughout the house and tells a story that goes well beyond the building itself.
Visiting requires an advance reservation, so it is worth booking a few days before you plan to go. The tour covers both the interior and the surrounding grounds, so allow enough time for both.
The ten Corinthian columns of the front facade were made in Cincinnati and first shipped by boat to Nashville, then hauled the rest of the way by ox-drawn wagons. This long journey for a set of building materials shows how much effort went into assembling the house.
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