The NSCDA-TN and Travellers Rest
“In restoring this historic home, it is the intention of the Tennessee Society to do it in the same simple, dignified manner in which Judge Overton lived; not to exaggerate or try to glanorize it, to make the place not just a shrine to an individual but a lasting museum for youth and an evidence of the culture and achievement that has made Tennessee a great soverign State”
– Mrs. Edwin W. Craig upon accepting the deed to Traveller’s Rest on behalf of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Tennessee during a special presentation ceremony
Travellers Rest in Nashville, Tennessee
Built in 1799, Travellers Rest Historic House Museum is Nashville’s oldest historic house which is open to the public. In 1954, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Tennessee (NSCDA-TN) purchased Travellers Rest from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad for the symbolic sum of one dollar, and their acquisition saved the house and grounds from potential demolition. The NSCDA-TN then began restoration efforts and opened Travellers Rest as a historic house museum. Currently, Travellers Rest is operated by a community board of directors.
The museum endeavors to preserve and share the legacy of the Overton residence and its grounds, inviting people of all ages to connect with Nashville’s rich past. With a strong emphasis on historical education, the museum welcomes over 12,000 visitors annually, including both students and adults. Its programming spans a millennium of history—from the early Mississippian culture before European contact to the 1800s—highlighting the historical significance of John Overton’s home.
Travellers Rest is a proud member of the NSCDA’s Great American Treasures program, and we sincerely hope that you will visit soon!
John Overton: Judge, Husband, Father
John Overton was born in Virginia in 1766 and came West when he was 21. He settled in Nashville in 1789 and became a lawyer and leader in the development of Middle Tennessee. The original 320 acres of his home, Traveller’s Rest, were purchased by Judge John Overton in 1796 (the same year Tennessee became a state) and his home was constructed beginning in 1799 with both free and enslaved laborers. Overton owned at least 53 enslaved people during his life.Â
Overton served as a tax collector for the Southwest Territory during George Washington’s administration, primarily collecting taxes on liquor distilleries in the area. Afterwards, Overton became a circuit court judge. He would travel nearly 600 miles across the state. Later he served as Tennessee State Supreme Court Judge and published a series of the court’s decisions regarding land law.Â
In 1820, Overton married Mary McConnell White May, a widow, and became stepfather to her five children. John and Mary would also go on to have three children of their own. Toward the end of his career, he dedicated himself to helping direct Andrew Jackson’s presidential campaign and establishing the city of Memphis on property in West Tennessee that he owned. He also owned as many as 65,000 acres throughout the state, including the 2,300 acres that Traveller’s Rest grew to be during his lifetime. Interestingly, several members of The NSCDA-TN can trace their lineage directly to Judge John Overton!
John Overton: Judge, Husband, Father
John Overton was born in Virginia in 1766 and came West when he was 21. He settled in Nashville in 1789 and became a lawyer and leader in the development of Middle Tennessee. The original 320 acres of his home, Traveller’s Rest, were purchased by Judge John Overton in 1796 (the same year Tennessee became a state) and his home was constructed beginning in 1799 with both free and enslaved laborers. Overton owned at least 53 enslaved people during his life.Â
Overton served as a tax collector for the Southwest Territory during George Washington’s administration, primarily collecting taxes on liquor distilleries in the area. Afterwards, Overton became a circuit court judge. He would travel nearly 600 miles across the state. Later he served as Tennessee State Supreme Court Judge and published a series of the court’s decisions regarding land law.Â
In 1820, Overton married Mary McConnell White May, a widow, and became stepfather to her five children. John and Mary would also go on to have three children of their own. Toward the end of his career, he dedicated himself to helping direct Andrew Jackson’s presidential campaign and establishing the city of Memphis on property in West Tennessee that he owned. He also owned as many as 65,000 acres throughout the state, including the 2,300 acres that Traveller’s Rest grew to be during his lifetime. Interestingly, several members of The NSCDA-TN can trace their lineage directly to Judge John Overton!
Featured Exhibit: A Past Uncovered: The Story of the Enslaved People of Travellers Rest*
Travellers Rest is excited to feature a permanent exhibit honoring the lives of over 50 enslaved individuals who lived and worked on the property.
The exhibit is housed in the weaving house which was home to two enslaved individuals after the Civil War. Highlights include a variety of documents and aritifacts that help provide a better understanding of slavery and what it was like to be a skilled apprentice or tradesmen at the time.
It features a variety of letters, advetisements and ledgers that were recovered and are now on display for visitors.
This exhibit spans from 1790 to 1890 and offers valuable insight into an important period of Tennessee’s history.
Special thanks to the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area which is a partnership unit of the National Park Service and is administered by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University for making this possible.Â
Also thank you to the Tennessee Association of Museums for presenting Traveller’s Rest with an Award of Excellence for their work on this exhibit
*Admission included in general ticket price
Travellers Rest Given Metropolitan Historical Commission Preservation Award
Travellers Rest was honored to receive a preservation award in the education category during the 49th Annual Preservation Awards hosted by the Metropolitan Historical Commission.
Travellers Rest was recognized for their recent preservation efforts aimed at stabilizing and repairing a brick wall that connects the 1803 section of the house to the 1821 addition. During the restoration three fingerprints were discovered on a section of 1821 brick. This revealed that the bricks used to construct this part of the property were handmade. The museum decided to leave the bricks visible to the public to educate visitors on the construction of the home and to honor the enslaved laborers who built the home.
This is the second time that Travellers Rest has been recognized by the Metropolitan Historical Commission. It also received an education preservation award in 2024 during the 48th annual awards ceremony for their work preserving the smokehouse on the property.
Travellers Rest Given Metropolitan Historical Commission Preservation Award
Travellers Rest was honored to receive a preservation award in the education category during the 49th Annual Preservation Awards hosted by the Metropolitan Historical Commission.
Travellers Rest was recognized for their recent preservation efforts aimed at stabilizing and repairing a brick wall that connects the 1803 section of the house to the 1821 addition. During the restoration three fingerprints were discovered on a section of 1821 brick. This revealed that the bricks used to construct this part of the property were handmade. The museum decided to leave the bricks visible to the public to educate visitors on the construction of the home and to honor the enslaved laborers who built the home.
This is the second time that Travellers Rest has been recognized by the Metropolitan Historical Commission. It also received an education preservation award in 2024 during the 48th annual awards ceremony for their work preserving the smokehouse on the property.
Travellers Rest Staff Accepts their Metropolitan Historical Commission Preservation Award
Metropolitan Historical Commission Award
Brick found with fingerprint
Original Smokehouse on property
Glimpses of the Past
History of Travellers Rest
1796
- John Overton acquires the land that would eventually become Travellers rest
1799
- Judge John Overton begins construction of Traveller’s Rest
1820
- Judge John Overton marries widow Mary McConell White May who brings her three youngest children from her previous marriage with her
Travellers’ Rest is used as a headquarters by Lt. General John Bell Hood during the Battle of Nashville
1821
- John and Mary welcome their first child John Overton, Jr. together
1823
- John and Mary’s second child Ann Overton is born
1833
John Overton passes away
1946
J.M Dickinson, Judge Overton’s great-grandson, sells the property to Dr. John Youmans
1951
- First mention of Travellers’ Rest as a possible headquarters and historic house at a meeting
Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Railroad Company acquires property
1954
- John. E. Tilford from the L&N Railroad writes a letter to current National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Tennessee President, Mrs. Craig, stating that the L&N Board of Directors had approved his suggestion that Travellers’ Rest be given to the Tennessee society for restoration and preservation
- Travellers’ Rest is voted the new headquarters of NSCDA-TN
- The National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Tennessee purchases Travellers’ Rest from the Lousiville & Nashville Railroad for the symbolic sum of $1
1989
Travellers Rest Historic House Museum, Inc. is formed to provide a professional staff to ensure the continued preservation and education on the property
2013
Travellers’ Rest first permanent exhibit "The Battle of Nashville" opens, showcasing the role that Travellers’ Rest played during the American Civil War
2015
"A Past Uncovered" exhibit opens, detailing the lives of slaves who lived and worked on the property
2022
Smokehouse preservation project begins
2023
- Travellers’ Rest Historic House Museum receives $500,000 from the State of Tennessee to help support ongoing preservation efforts
2024
Travellers Rest receives an education preservation award from the Metropolitan Historical Commission for their work preserving the smokehouse
Traveller’s Rest celebrates its 225th anniversary since being purchased by the Overtons
- Traveller’ Rest celebrates 70 years since it was purchased by The National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Tennessee
2025
Travellers Rest receives their second education preservation award from the Metropolitan Historical Commission for their work connecting a section of wall from 1803 to the addition that was added in 1821, which led to the discovery of a brick with a thumbrint from a former slave that helped build the home
2024 Year In Review
Students Visited
Received in Grants and Contributions
Years of Travellers Rest
Travellers Rest Today
Dames are still heavily involved with Traveller’s Rest just like they were in the past! Check out how they are continuing to educate and share knowledge of TN with others below!
Nancy Grimes NTC helps kids learn writing with a quill pen
NTC Dame ( Elizabeth Farmer) helping demo corn-shuck dolls at Trades Days
Special Thanks To:
The NSCDA-TN would like to thank the incredible staff at Travellers Rest for their dedication to sharing the story and significance of John Overton with guests from all across the United States. We would also like to thank the staff for all their hard work acquiring grants and raising money to support renovation projects that allow for Travellers Rest to be maintained and improved.
- Katie O’ Bryan – Executive Director
- Andy Blair –Â Director of Education, Interpretation, and Outreach
- Abby Coomes –Â Collections/Site Manager
- Jenny Esler –Â Director of Development
- Ashley Moore – Event Coordinator
- Benita Sims –Â Senior Interpreter/Shop Manager
- Hannah Fleming – Education Assisstant
- Benjamin Ogles – Historic InterpreterÂ
Great American Treasures
Over the 129 year history of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America has believed in finding ways to preserve our nations history. We believe in preserving the history of America’s Origins and and honoring the forebearers who are responsible for its founding.
In 2014 the NSCDA created a national Mueseum Alliance with the goal of sharing knowledge and creating a collection of places and artifacts that were important to the founding of America and its history.
Overtime the national Museum Alliance evolved into Great American Treasures. Great American Treasures is a new brand created by the NSCDA.
The NSCDA hopes that overtime the public will help bring Great American Treasures to life so that it can connect others with our past in new and creative ways. It is our hope to encourage engagement with history and help share the story of America’s founding and development.
Tennessee’s newest Great American Treasure, Blount Mansion
Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, Blount Mansion circa 1792 was home to U. S. Constitution signer William Blount, appointed by President George Washington as governor of the Southwest Territory. In 1796 Governor William Blount shepherded the Southwest Territory into admission to the union as our nation’s sixteenth state, Tennessee. Blount Mansion is the only U.S. Constitution signer’s home located outside the original thirteen states, and one of just a handful of signer’s homes which are open to the public. Blount Mansion stands as the Birthplace of Tennessee. Blount Mansion’s 18th century style gardens are highlight of any visit to the site.
