The Oaklands Mansion
Nestled in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, stands Oaklands Mansion, a stately home whispering tales of a bygone era. More than just a beautifully preserved antebellum structure, Oaklands is a tangible link to the complex history of Middle Tennessee, embodying both the grandeur of a plantation society and the painful realities of slavery and civil war. Saved from demolition and now a thriving museum, Oaklands offers a profound look at prosperity, conflict, preservation, and community.
The story of Oaklands begins with Dr. James Maney and his wife, Sally Hardy Murfree Maney. Married in 1812, the couple moved to Tennessee, and starting around 1815, embarked on a multi-decade project of constructing their dream home. This wasn’t a single, swift build, but rather a phased expansion reflecting the family's growing wealth and social standing. The initial two-room brick house, erected around 1818, was followed by a Federal-style addition in the 1820s, a rear wing in the 1830s, and finally, the defining Italianate façade added between 1857 and 1860, largely thanks to Major Lewis Maney (Dr. J. Maney's Son) and Adeline Cannon Maney.
Oaklands Mansion wasn’t simply a home; it was a carefully crafted statement. Built on land inherited by Sally Murfree Maney from her father, Colonel Hardy Murfree, it signified the family's prominent status in the region. It showed the surrounding community of Murfreesboro the wealth and high standing of the Maney family. It was the physical heart of a large plantation, and as such, a stark symbol of wealth in the Old South. The elegant Italianate style facade, so carefully designed and constructed, further emphasized the family's sophistication and cultivated tastes. The act of hosting prominent visitors, most notably Confederate President Jefferson Davis, only solidified Oaklands' reputation as a center of social and political importance.
The tranquility of Oaklands was shattered by the Civil War. Its strategic location meant it became a focal point for both Union and Confederate forces. The grounds transformed into a campground for troops, and the mansion itself became a makeshift hospital, with the Maney family opening their home to wounded soldiers. Most significantly, Oaklands served as the location where Confederate leaders negotiated the surrender of Murfreesboro, forever linking the mansion to a pivotal moment in the conflict. Oaklands essentially became a neutral site.
The Civil War brought immense change and hardship. The abolition of slavery decimated the Maney family's business model, which relied on forced labor. The family’s loss of income led to economic struggles, and in turn, asset liquidation. The once-vast plantation began to shrink as portions of the land were sold off both to pay debts and to avoid the cost of upkeep. While they suffered, the Maney family also opened a door that allowed Murfreesboro to advance and expand as they sold off their land.
In the years that followed, Oaklands suffered a period of decline, eventually falling vacant and facing the threat of demolition. But thankfully, a group of dedicated local women recognized the irreplaceable value of Oaklands and, in 1959, formed the Oaklands Association to save it. Thanks to their efforts, the mansion was spared, meticulously restored, and opened to the public as a historic house museum.
Today, Oaklands Mansion stands as a powerful reminder of Middle Tennessee's rich, complex, and often difficult past. It is now a hub of cultural activity, hosting events, exhibits, and educational programs. It offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the lives of the Maney family and, importantly, to learn the stories of the enslaved people who were forced to build it, work the land, and, in the end, the very lives that sustained its prosperity.
Oaklands Mansion is more than just bricks and mortar. It's a cultural touchstone, a testament to the enduring spirit of preservation, and a vital community resource. By visiting and supporting Oaklands, you not only step back in time, but also invest in a future where history is remembered, interpreted, and used to build a better understanding of our shared past.
