Tours
Find below information on public or self-guided tours you can take. If you would like to find out about tours arranged by SSTN, please subscribe to this site for more information. If you go to these sites please share your experiences, and let me know if you have any requests for tours you'd like to take!
Sri Ganesha Temple,
Nashville
527 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville 37209
615-356-7207
Sri Ganesha Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Tennessee and an outstanding example of South Indian architecture. It was built to provide a place for cultural, educational, and spiritual activities related to Hinduism, to promote inter religious, social, and cultural understanding, and to support humanitarian causes. The temple offers tours to the public every third Saturday of the month at 3pm, and private tours by appointment. There are monthly festivals, and classes offered in meditation and other subjects. The canteen is open on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm with delicious vegetarian food at great prices!
A link to the website for more info, including temple etiquette can be found here: https://ganeshatemple.org/
Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
900 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 255-7729
Christ Church is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee. It was organized in 1820 and became the first Episcopal church in Tennessee in 1894. Prepare to be blown away by its Victorian beauty! The church offers tours every Friday between 10am and 12pm, and also after services on Sundays. It is downtown and close by many other great must-do Nashville sites. The main chapel, side chapel and the immense organ are incredible.
A link to the history of the church can be found here: History, Tours, & Archives — Christ Church Cathedral (christcathedral.org)
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Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Site, Pinson
460 Ozier Road
Pinson, TN 38366
731-988-5614
Winter Hours Nov. 1st - March 15th Daily 7am to 5pm Summer Hours March 16th - Oct. 31st Daily 7am to 7pm Museum and office are closed on all state and federal holidays, Nov. – April
Approximately 10 miles South of Jackson are 15+ mounds that are believed to have been both burial and ceremonial in nature. The 1200 acres also includes beautiful open areas and trails through forests and swamps.
Here is a link to the website for futher information: Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park — Tennessee State Parks (tnstateparks.com)
Cedar Grove Cemetery, Lebanon
609 South Main Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
Open Monday - Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm
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This cemetery was created in 1846 and graves from the previous City Cemetery were moved here at that time. Beautiful grave stones and monuments, including one for 150 Confederate soldiers. A walking tour is conducted every October.
In addition, a Driving Tour of Lebanon/Wilson County Historic Sites is a well organized way to explore lots of other fascinating sites in the area, such as Sellars Farm Archeological Park (see this blog) and Pickett Chapel, a church built by freed slaves.
Visit www.hldrivingtour.info for more info.
Downtown Presbyterian Church, Nashville
154 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
Nashville, TN 37219
Tours Every 4th Friday 12p-2p with donations accepted
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This church is an outstanding representation of the Egyptian Revival architectural movement and one of the only churches remaining in the US with this style. The first church was built here in 1816, and this is the third to be built on this site following fires. The church is absolutely stunning and is a National Historical Landmark. More information can be found on the church website at www.dpchurch.org.
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville
1101 Lebanon Pike
Nashville, TN 37210
Open daylight hours Mon-Sun
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A cemetery of outstanding beauty and historical significance, you can spend hours walking the grounds and still see something new every time you return. Among those interred are Tennessee governors, senators, Supreme Court justices and Nashville business leaders, as well as soldiers who perished during the Civil War and WW1. Stop at the office to pick up a brochure to help you find notable graves, but be prepared to do some research as to who they are yourself (or read this blog!).