Austin McMullen

Fall Fest celebrates

Glen Leven history

By Autumn Boaz, The Green Hills News, October 14, 2010

If you don't know when and where to look, chances are the little piece of local history goes unnoticed as drivers whiz down Nashville's Franklin Road.

But just before the Thompson Lane intersection, the Glen Leven estate sits hidden behind a line of trees that will hopefully fashion autumn colors in time for this Sunday's Glen leven Fall Harvest Festival benefit.

Even without the added fall ambiance, those who are fully acquainted with the property know that its character is in abundance even without the signs of the changing seasons.

A Fall Harvest Festival will be held at Glen Leven

from 3 - 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17.

"It's the kind of place where you walk on the grounds, look around and realize there is something magical about it," Tennessee Land Trust Glen Leven Resource Planning Manager Liz McLaurin said. ... "I want people to realize what a resource it is."

Built in 1790, the Glen leven home and its accompanying 66 acres were donated to the Tennessee Land Trust when owner Susan West died in 2006, willing the property to the Trust under the conditions that the land remain "open space" and the house be kept in "good condition."

While the request seems simple, the price tag it carries is approximately $1.5 million, according to McLaurin.

"That's just to stabilize the house and out buildings - just to do things like re-roof, grade around the house to prevent water intrusion into the basement ... a complete electrical rewiring and mason work.["]

McLaurin, who has been working on the Glen Leven project since April, said cost estimates pertaining to actual renovations have not been made.

Currently, the goal of the Land Trust is simple stabilization and historic preservation of the house and other structures on the property, along with open-space conservation.

The 210-year-old home, which was built by Revolutionary War soldier Thomas Thompson, was kept in the same family and used as a private residence until West's death four years ago.

With a growing to-do list concerning house stabilization alone, McLaurin said the next couple of years are financially critical.

The fall festival is the first community fundraiser to benefit the hidden Oak Hill jewel, neighboring residents will help support the cause. At the September Board of Commissioners meeting, city officials voted to match funds raised at the event up to $25,000.

"On my first visit, I recognized immediately the tremendous value and opportunity the property has to both Nashville and the City of Oak Hill," Oak Hill Commissioner Jennifer Claxton said. "Glen Leven lies within the Oak Hill city limits and Ms. West's desire for open space echoes that of our residents. My desire for the matching grant is to show Oak Hill's commitment to investing in and partnering with the Land Trust in their efforts to preserve Glen Leven and create a space from which our entire community benefits.

The festival, which will be held from 3 - 6 p.m. Sunday, features hayrides, pony rides and crafts for children, as well as music, homemade lemonade and kettle corn.

The Glen Leven house will be open for tours and representatives from Capitol Grille, which receives much of its fruit and vegetable supply from Glen Leven, will be on hand to talk about the property's garden.

Friends of Glen Leven, a fundraising initiative group, will also be introduced.

Glen Leven is located at 4000 Franklin Rd.

For more information, visit www.oakhill.com.