Tour Type: Progressive Lunch Tour - Tour of James K. Polk home, Memorial Building, Athenaeum, and Rippa Villa
Cost: $75 per person
Call: (931) 375-4102
10:00 am - Arrive in Columbia at the Maury County Visitor Bureau (302 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN) parking lot is across from the Polk Home. Restrooms are available at the adjoining Visitors Center. Your step-on guide will join you here. The phone number is 931-993-3286 in case you need to call on your way.
10:15 am - Walk across the street to Tour the ancestral home of the 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk.*
Your group will be intrigued with just what impact this little-known President had on the landscape of our country. A slide show, museum exhibits, gift shop, and tour of the home, detached kitchen, and gardens make an information-packed tour.
Enjoy tasty appetizers in the courtyard or the primitive kitchen on the grounds. (Assorted cheese, pimento cheese, crackers, mini-quiches, fruit tea, or water)
11:30 - Walk across the street to the Historic Memorial Building, 308 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 Enjoy a full buffet meal which includes baked ham, fried chicken, green beans, corn pudding, sweet potatoes, rolls, sweet and unsweet iced tea, coffee or water.
12:30 pm - Depart for The Athenaeum.* 808 Athenaeum St, Columbia, TN 38401
12:45 pm - Tour the Historic Athenaeum in Columbia, Tennessee. All that remains of two famous girl schools that flourished in the area from the 1830s until the Great Depression.
Built in 1837, the Athenaeum served as the rectory for these two schools and was occupied by the same family for over 130 years.
Enjoy southern dessert, iced tea, coffee, or water on the covered back porches.
1:45 pm - Depart for Rippavilla Plantation*. 5700 Main Street, Spring Hill, TN 37174
2:15 pm - Your tour of this magnificent antebellum mansion will begin. Built in the 1850s by Major Nathaniel Cheairs, who served as a major in the 3rd Tennessee Infantry during the Civil War. This home is noted for its beauty, history, and romantic love story which broke a long family tradition. During the war, the Battle of Spring Hill unfolded across the property on November 29, 1864. In addition to enjoying this beautiful home, you can walk the gardens outside.
4:00 pm - End your tour of Maury County at Rippa Villa
302 West 7th Street * Columbia, Tennessee 38401 * 931-375-4102 * rlance@maurycounty-tn.gov * experiencemaury.com