Belle Meade: Journey to Jubilee Historic Tour
4.6
338 Ratings
Nashville
Embark on a 1-hour journey into Belle Meade with its Journey to Jubilee historic tour. Explore the lives and stories of African Americans who were enslaved and later employed at Belle Meade, honoring their legacy and sacrifices. Complimentary wine tasting and self-guided tour included.
Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery - Discover the new tour at Belle Meade Plantation, titled Journey to Jubilee. This tour highlights the lives of the first African-Americans brought to Belle Meade in 1807, emphasizing their essential role in the property’s and the family’s history until 1906. From enslavement to emancipation, these individuals persevered, and their legacy is celebrated through this narrative. The tour delves into nearly a century of their history, utilizing primary source research. Experience their historical footprint at Belle Meade Plantation with the Journey to Jubilee tour.

Following your enlightening tour, you’re invited to partake in a complimentary wine tasting at our exquisite winery. Belle Meade’s grounds are open for self-guided tours, which you can enjoy before or after your scheduled tour. Presently, Belle Meade Plantation maintains 34 acres of its original estate, along with several historical structures, including the Mansion and the initial family home. The site now serves as a center for education, committed to the conservation of Tennessee’s Victorian architecture, history, and equestrian legacy.

What's Included
  • 1-Hour Guided Journey to Jubilee Walking Tour
  • Complimentary Wine Tasting at the On-Site Belle Meade Winery
  • Professional Guide
  • Guided History Tour of Belle Meade’s Outbuildings & Grounds
  • Access to the grounds of Belle Meade following your tour to explore at your leisure
  • Free On-Site Parking
  • Access to the Outdoor Game Court & On-Site Restaurant
What's Not Included
  • Guided Mansion Tours not included with this ticket (available to purchase separately on this site)
Additional Information

Embark on a 60-minute exploration of Belle Meade with our Journey to Jubilee historical tour. Join us as we delve deeply into the lives and tales of the African Americans who were first enslaved, and subsequently employed, at Belle Meade, doing so with deliberate respect and empathy. Our Journey to Jubilee tour is designed to pay tribute to the heritage and sacrifices of the people legally enslaved on this property from 1807 till their emancipation in 1865, as well as to delve into the complex realities of their newfound freedom in the post-Civil War era. Through a unique methodology which includes reading directly from primary sources and fostering audience interaction, this experience offers a new approach towards understanding the history of slavery. After your tour, savor a complimentary wine tasting and enjoy access to the estate Grounds for a self-guided exploration.

Please Be Aware: This is a guided tour, but it does not grant admission to the primary Mansion part of the Belle Meade estate. Separate reservations are required for Guided Mansion Tours.

  • Free On-Site Parking Available
  • Arrive 20 minutes before your tour time and redeem your voucher at our Visitor Service desk. They will direct you to your tour
  • Due to the intensity of the subject matter and our interpretive approach, this tour is limited to those aged 12 and older.
  • Takes place outside and involves walking and several sets of stairs.
  • Please Note: Guided Mansion Tours are not included with this ticket. Mansion Tours are also available to purchase separately on this website.
  • Not recommended for travelers who cannot stand/walk for extended periods of 30 minutes or more
Location
110 Leake Ave
Leake Avenue
Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery (6 miles from downtown Nashville) Address: 110 Leake Ave, Nashville, TN 37205
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(338 Ratings)
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Excursion10050289803
Mar 20, 2024
March 20 2024 visit - This is very interesting and thought provoking. Jeff was our guide and he was excellent. He encouraged discussion and was very knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway59283331831
Mar 16, 2024
Journey to Jubilee - Our guide Anastasia was very informative and very respectful when speaking about a hard and uncomfortable topic for many people. You can tell how much she cares about the people who were once there and the history of enslavement through Emancipation and contracted labor not only at Belle Meade but across plantations in the state of Tennessee and across the United States as a whole. Loved the open forum discussion aspect of the tour and enjoyed hearing everyone else’s thoughts, opinions, and questions!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jadenzoemom
Mar 4, 2024
History Tour of Slave Life at Belle Meade - We really enjoyed this tour. Our guide was River and she was great and very knowledgeable. It told about the lives of the slaves and the contributed to this Plantation by breeding thoroughbred horses. We really enjoyed the wine tasting as well. We didn't do the tour of the mansion as we went later in the day. Maybe next time we will schedule it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashleyb196
Jan 8, 2024
Beautiful Property - We did both the Mansion Tour & the Journey Tour. Both were very informative and provided completely different information. If you have time, do both. After our tours we got a glass of wine and toured the property on our own. The property is beautiful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Handow31
Nov 26, 2023
Worthwhile Visit and Tour - This tour was really insightful, and all sensitive topics were handled very well. We initially thought that the "Journey to Jubilee" tour may be too heavy, but it was actually a really interesting introduction to slavery in the South, and it focused largely on the lives of the enslaved people. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions. The complimentary wine tasting was a nice addition, too. It only lasted around 5-10 minutes, though, so definitely attend even if you're in a rush!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
829briannam
Nov 22, 2023
Great Tour! - This tour around Belle Meade really puts the old South into perspective. My mother and I ended up having a private tour with Tom, who was so very kind and extremely knowledgeable about the information provided for the Journey to Jubilee. The free wine tasting at the end was also spectacular, as were the girls working the day of our tour (11/14). It was great to step out of the downtown scene to learn about the history of the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H8853gpjoannais
Oct 27, 2023
Good afternoon/day trip from the city. - Thoughtful, sobering presentation of the lives of enslaved people and those who enslaved them. Our guide, Taylor, is also an archeologist working on the site. The wine tasting is a nice touch, too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raysunflor
Oct 26, 2023
We will be back! - Very educational tour by Jeff. Great food and a fun wine tasting. We took the grounds tour and would like to come back for the mansion tour.
Review provided by Viator
Travel08475587138
Oct 23, 2023
One of the best guided tours we’ve ever taken! - My wife and I take a lot of plantation tours. We are particularly interested in tours that center the experiences of enslaved people. Our Belle Meade tour with Jeff was one of the best we’ve ever taken. Jeff was very knowledgeable, friendly, and encouraged reflection, questions, and discussion from the group. He did a masterful job and it was one of the highlights of our stay in Nashville. We took the mansion and the Journey to Jubilee tours. If you’re pressed for time and can only do one, we recommend the Journey to Jubilee tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_h
Oct 23, 2023
The perfect afternoon - Very informative experience Jeff was the perfect tour guide very knowledgeable and funny. The home has wonderful and the ground we as well.
Review provided by Viator
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1 Adult
May 2024
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