Friends of Two Rivers

05/31/2026

Our 2026 historic tour season is here and goes through the end of October! We have worked hard to bring you an enhanced experience with interpretive reader boards and panels in the mansion and 1802 House, as well as added a special Monday at noon two-part tour that also includes a visit to Mt Olivet where the McGavock’s and many others were laid to rest. Check our website for details and ticket links!

www.friendsoftworivers.com

05/29/2026

The McGavocks are back!

Today, Two Rivers Mansion welcomed a very special group of guests for a tour — the McGavock family from Wisconsin. These long-lost cousins share a common ancestor with the Nashville McGavocks, though their branch immigrated from Ireland nearly 100 years after James McGavock’s heirs settled in Middle Tennessee.

What a meaningful way to celebrate a family reunion in Nashville and reconnect with a shared heritage!

05/22/2026

Two Rivers Mansion has been the host for many beautiful weddings over the years, and we love sharing the history of this historic home and the people who lived there with each couple who chooses to begin their married life with us.

Since this Saturday, May 23rd marks David H. and Willie’s wedding anniversary (176 years!), we thought we would share the following commentary from a contemporary:

“. . . [Willie Harding] was married while I was boarding there. She graduated at the academy here. While she was at school her cousin, David McGavock, fell in love with her. After she graduated she went to Memphis to stay with her mother, who had married Mr. Owen, and wrote and asked me to buy her trousseau, which was very beautiful. Her wedding dress was lace over beautiful glase silk, with two ruffles of lace one-half yard around the skirt, and a bertha and veil of the same kind of lace. She had her portrait painted in her wedding dress. “

That same portrait still resides at Two Rivers Mansion, hanging in the Ladies’ Parlor.

We would love to thank La Donna Riddle Weber, the Librarian of the Laskey Library at the Scarritt Bennett Center for her help in acquiring valuable research materials about the life of our “Miss Willie”! These materials, including a rare book, “Mrs. D. H. M’Gavock : life-sketch and thoughts” by Mrs. F. A. Butler, published in 1898, will enable us to more accurately and completely share the story of this first lady of Two Rivers!

Stay tuned for more!

05/17/2026

If you weren’t able to join us for our 15th Annual “Phil the House with Art & Friends - Free Community Open House & Art Exhibit”, featuring Robert MacDonald Gallery, here is an opportunity to own one of the original beautiful pieces from Robert he did especially for his exhibit. This one features the confluence of the Stones River into the Cumberland River, showcasing both of the “Two Rivers”. See link for bidding below. Bidding on “Two Rivers Sunset Serenity” goes directly to benefit our organization. See link below.

[auction_login_status] How to Bid The dropdown shows the next available bid amount. Bids increase in $20 increments, but you may scroll to a higher bid amount if desired. Select your bid and click Place Your Bid. You can review your active bids, winning bids, lost bids, and watchlist under My Accoun...

05/16/2026

It was a big week for Friends of Two Rivers! This past Tuesday was the 50th Annual Metro Nashville Historical Commission’s Preservation Awards. Two Rivers Mansion won an Architectural Award for the two-year total exterior restoration process bringing it back to its best condition in its almost 170 year history. Our founder and President Emeritus Phil Claiborne was also the recipient of the Fletch Coke Award, given to an individual each year who exemplifies leadership with historic and cultural preservation efforts. Then on Friday, the Tennessee Historical Commission awarded Friends of Two Rivers a Certificate of Merit for the restoration work at Two Rivers Mansion. We are honored and humbled with these recognitions and it only inspires us to continue doing this work. We look forward to seeing you at Two Rivers soon for our upcoming events and tours!

05/13/2026

📚 Book Club Update 📚

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, May’s Book Club gathering at Historic Stone Hall has been rescheduled to Monday, June 1 at 6:00 PM.

This month’s featured read, The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, is a beautifully written and gripping story of mystery, loss, family, and hope.

If you haven’t joined us for Book Club yet, we would love to welcome you! Memberships can be purchased at any time throughout the year, and every membership directly supports the educational programming and preservation efforts of Two Rivers Mansion and Historic Stone Hall.

For more information about Book Club, visit: https://friendsoftworivers.com/book-club/

05/10/2026

We hope everyone is enjoying our wonderful greenways across Nashville! Did you know both Two Rivers Mansion and Stone Hall are connected by the Stones River Greenway? We just had a bike rack installed at Two Rivers Mansion. Come enjoy one of our events or tours this year by bike! Check out our calendar of events on our website. www.friendsoftworivers.com

Greenways for Nashville
Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

05/08/2026

The Friends of Two Rivers is proud to announce Wilson Bank & Trust as its new Banking Partner and as a Heritage Partner, a relationship that strengthens the organization's ongoing mission to preserve some of Middle Tennessee's most treasured historic properties.

"We would like to thank Wilson Bank & Trust for supporting The Friends of Two Rivers mission in restoring, preserving and protecting Two Rivers Mansion, the 1802 House and Stone Hall," says Friends of Two Rivers President Jeff Syracuse. "Their support ensures that we can continue those efforts along with proving their use as historic, cultural treasures that enrich, educate and connect the community."

"We are thrilled to partner with such a great organization like The Friends of Two Rivers," says Brendan Holloway, AVP-Office Manager of Wilson Bank & Trust's Hermitage Office. "At Wilson Bank & Trust, community involvement is at the heart of who we are, and this partnership reflects that. We look forward to supporting all the new and exciting things the organization has in store for the Donelson, Hermitage, and Greater Nashville community."

The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the organization. In August 2025, Two Rivers Mansion reopened to the public following a $4.5 million exterior restoration led by The Tradesmen Group, completed in partnership with Metro Parks after nearly two years of work. The project extensively repaired the exterior, roof, front porch, and overall structure of the 1859 Italianate home, returning one of Middle Tennessee's most architecturally significant houses to its original grandeur. An estimated 400 guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the milestone.

While the mansion was undergoing restoration, the Friends of Two Rivers worked to expand its mandate, evolving into a regional historic and cultural preservation organization. The group dropped "Mansion" from its name to reflect this broader scope and added Stone Hall, a 1918 property in nearby Hermitage, to its portfolio alongside Two Rivers Mansion and the 1802 House. Looking ahead, the organization has full design and construction documents in place for a planned “Two Rivers Cultural & Educational Center,” a 250-person event center behind the mansion, designed as a carriage house to architecturally complement the historic site where expanded educational programming and events can occur.

Upcoming Events at Two Rivers Mansion:
Spirit of Two Rivers Historic Tours — June 1 through October 28, 2026. Guided tours offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 9am, 10am, 11am, and noon.

Movies at the Mansion: Welcome to Summer — “David” — Friday, June 5, 2026 | 5:30–10:00pm. Movies at the Mansion featuring "David"

Music at the Mansion: Nashville Symphony — Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 6:00–9:30pm. Outdoor performance on the mansion grounds. FREE admission. Music at the Mansion featuring Nashville Symphony

Whispers From the Past: Paranormal Investigation Series — Overnight experiences from 7:00pm–1:00am, held one weekend each month from June through September. See website for details.

Movies at the Mansion: Back to School — “GOAT” — Friday, August 7, 2026 | 5:30–10:00pm Movies at the Mansion featuring "GOAT"

Music at the Mansion: Timbo and Lonesome Country — Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 6:00–9:30pm Music at the Mansion featuring Timbo & Lonesome Country

Music At The Mansion: Two Rivers Community Orchestra — Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 3:00–6:00pm. Outdoor performance on the mansion grounds. FREE admission Music at the Mansion featuring Two Rivers Community Orchestra

Music At The Mansion: The Moonlighters Big Band — Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 6:00–9:30pm Music at the Mansion featuring The Moonlighters Big Band

Movies at the Mansion: Celebrate America’s 250th — “National Treasure” — Friday, September 25, 2026 | 5:30–10:00pm Movies at the Mansion featuring "National Treasure"

After Dark Tours — October 16–18, 2026. Hosting tour experience where ghost-hunting equipment is welcome.

For tickets, membership information, and event details: www.friendsoftworivers.com • (615) 639-0676 • [email protected]

ABOUT FRIENDS OF TWO RIVERS
Friends of Two Rivers was established in 2010 to protect, preserve, restore, and promote the historic Two Rivers Mansion in partnership with the Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation and the Metro Nashville Historical Commission. The organization was officially incorporated on August 20, 2010, and received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status later that year. Since then, its mission has expanded to include the historic Stone Hall site, located on the scenic bluffs of the Stones River. Today, Friends of Two Rivers is dedicated to honoring and sharing Nashville’s rich past by preserving these treasured landmarks through community engagement, fundraising, and educational initiatives.

ABOUT WILSON BANK & TRUST
Founded in 1987, Wilson Bank & Trust is a full-service community bank committed to providing equal access to credit for everyone. Taking a personal approach to business, Wilson Bank & Trust offers customized banking needs for customers across the region. With 32 offices in ten counties, we remain local, independent, and dedicated to serving our communities, neighbors, and friends. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at https://www.wilsonbank.com

05/07/2026

Throwback to 60 years ago today! Standing in front of the McGavock Mansion on Two Rivers Estate on May 6, 1966, 14th District Metro Councilman Donald O’Guin, left, points out some of the feature the park-high school complex to be developed on the 440-acre site by Metro. Looking on are Bill McBride, second from left, Mrs. Regenia O’Guin, Mrs. Edward Miller and Dan Nabors. Metro bought the estate after Mary Louise Bransford McGavock passed away the year prior.
J.T. Phillips / The Tennessean