HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. Built between 1828 and 1832 in the Jeffersonian style, Belle Mont was originally the home of Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who quickly sold the building to one Isaac Winston in 1833. The home was built. It's estimated that 40 percent of slave owners may have been white women. 2008-2023 AlabamaHauntedHouses.com. The use of the NPS name for any unauthorized events or activities is strictly prohibited. It was one of those drizzly unpleasant days, so after a while I went into the Cellar area of the plantation. The house and surrounding property are reportedly haunted by the former slaves that lived and died on the plantation. Moreover, the entire country was once the land of American Indians, and a good deal of it deceptively or violently taken from them. Voice your opinion here! Slave child's doll inside Belle Mont Mansion. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. Went back into the cellar a coupple more times, but never had that akward feeling again. Join now to unlock comments, browse ad-free, and access exclusive content from your favorite FDRLST writers. The Alabama Historical Commission owns this historic site. Intimate and elegant elopement ceremonies are popular at Belmont Mansion! The coalition said the event celebrated white supremacy by ignoring the enslaved people who labored at the cotton plantation. If such locales have tragic histories, this is all the more reason to reimagine them in ways that both recognize and overcome that past. As there is not formal cemetery for the slaves it is likely that they were buried on some part of the estate. One account is from young William Acklin, a enslaved worker, and the other from a visitor to the estate. This celebration clearly ignores the perspective of those who experienced Belle Mont as a forced labor camp., Slavery hard to teach in Cotton State of Alabama, elementary educators say. Belle Mont Mansion , built circa 1828, is one of the few examples of Palladian-style houses in Alabama. As there is not formal cemetery for the slaves it is likely that they were buried on some part of the estate. But she never mentioned any slave ghosts. William F. Buckleys popularization of Eric Voegelins warning is apt: Dont immanentize the eschaton!. It remained in the Winston family for over a century, and is currently used as a historic house museum open for tours by appointment. Belle Mont is available for special events. My mother also said that there was a man, a caretaker of some sort, that lived in a house at the foot of the hill at some point during this time. General Martin retired to his Belle Mont plantation at Leatherwood, which he purchased in 1796 from Benjamin Harrison V of Berkeley Plantation. Unlock premium content, ad-free browsing, and access to comments for just $4/month. At first you think this is all in your imagination. At this time, the family decided to move to a different location but continued to hold Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations in the mansion. "It is unacceptable to subject the descendants of enslaved African Americans to whitewashed versions of history that ignore their ancestors experience.". Black people dont have happy memories of the antebellum period and plantations, where our ancestors were beaten and tortured, said senior campaign director Jade Magnus Ogunnaike. Belle Mont also illustrates Jeffersons reverence for the neoclassical architectural elements and ideas of the Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio,The Winston family maintained ownership and continued living in Belle Mont through the Civil War and until around 1940. It was then purchased by two women who in 1890 started a college which evolved into Belmont University. Will NOT be displayed. While slavery is often associated with large plantations, the institution permeated Southern culture. Belle Mont's out-buildings are no longer standing, but several foundations, including that of a slave house, have been located by archeologists. It was then purchased by two women who in 1890 started a college which evolved into Belmont University. Lewis called our tendency to view our own age as superior to others, is a dark chasm ending in our own destruction. It once stretched over 5400 acres and hosted celebrities, presidents, and countless southern gentlemen. Today the Belmont Mansion Association, which was formed in 1972, owns the collection, runs the museum, and shares this unique story of 19th century Nashville with visitors from far and near. The house and surrounding property are reportedly haunted by the former slaves that lived and died on the plantation. LGBTQ advocacy organization Equality Shoals, Shoals Young Democrats and Rev. No haunted tours for me. As of Thursday morning, Alabama Historical Commission members have not responded to the letter or AL.coms emails and phone calls. My wife, son (age 5) and I were heading from Muscle Shoals to our home in Littleville after a night of shopping and eating. During the 1960s, star-crossed lovers camped inside the rotting mansion in the woods, and the home has long been the site of drunken high school parties. Casey Chalk is a senior contributor at The Federalist and an editor and columnist at The New Oxford Review. Slaves in the plantation generations were members of what Berlin calls "slave societies," where slavery was the primary source of labor. First, there is no such thing as a slave plantation. There are cotton plantations, sugar plantations, tobacco plantations, etc., etc., but no slave plantations. Nearby, an early 1800s mansion, Belle Mont, is available for touring. e prior to the Civil War. It was the centerpiece of a 1,760 acre cotton plantation and had one of the largest slave populations in the state. He was also a founding member of a Presbyterian church in Tuscumbia and among the area's largest owners of, Throughout the antebellum period, Isaac Winston operated Belle Mont as a cotton plantation, and the 1860 Census lists him as the owner of 114 enslaved African Americans. Related Videos Video #1 My son says, Yes, hes walking to the house. Having passed the sign and turn to the house, I realized there is no way he could have known of the house based on his not being able to read and having no pre-exposure to the houses existence. In addition, volunteers from the Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation assist as docents for special events and participate in fund-raising activities. Be specific. Moreover, the entire. Visitors to the mansion have reported seeing dark shadowy figures walking the fields and have heard the sound of chains rattling near the house. Belle Mont attracts approximately 5,000 visitors each year. ?????? Clicks to Website: 293
However, the pamphlet continues by claiming that, characteristics of Jeffersonian Classicism are exhibited at Belle Mont, including finely executed brickwork with contrasting woodwork and a hilltop setting. Wesley Thompson of Bethel Colbert Missionary Baptists Church also signed the letter. Blue Star Museum: Belle Mont proudly offers free admission to active duty military personnel and their families between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Violence against blacks and other disenfranchised groups have occurred across our nations landscape, many in popular and well-trod locales, North and South, East and West. The source of Belle Monts design is shrouded in mystery, but tantalizing clues suggest the direct influence of President Thomas Jefferson, gentlemen architect of the early Republic, the official Belle Mont pamphlet states (Commission 2). "Others feared the upcoming slave auctions commonly held in January and February in north Alabama as well as upcoming contracts for slave labor that was 'hired out.'". YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Belle Mont Mansion, known for its architecture, was built in 1828 for Alexander Williams Mitchell. === A monument was errected in 2008 on the old Henry Courthouse square in Martinsville, VA. . This design is derived from the neoclassical architectural style of Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Please report any inaccuracies. Their appetites will not be satisfied until all things and persons associated with injustice, real or imagined, are expunged from public experience and memory. The Knot, WeddingWire, and Pinterest are seeking to limit content on their websites that promotes Southern plantations as a wedding venue. Catholics in the 19th century suffered violent assaults at the hands of anti-papist mobs on the streets of Boston, Philadelphia, and New York. Its two-story north entrance salon is flanked on either side by a formal dining room and parlor. I came out of the cellar and saw Ronnie sitting in my truck, so I asked if he had came into the cellar, he told me no. What do you think? All rights reserved. Constructed between 1849 and 1860, Belmont Mansion was the home of Adelicia and Joseph Acklen. According to census records, Mitchell enslaved 115 people at the cotton plantation. You can visit the historic Belle Mont Mansion at 1569 Cook Ln., Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674. The National Paranormal Society is not responsible for individuals, teams and submissions listed on the NPS website. This style stems from the neoclassical architectural design of Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Then he didnt snap back and unadded me and my Freinds girlfriend said a woman followed us back to the car and as soon as we pulled out a car came out of no where like we seen no headlights the whole time and we get home And another Freind of mine gets a text and said we know you was here no trespassing and Said I had a picture taker (dont really know what that means) and he had a drink and a bag of chips and he threw it down and they said we found your snack. 2023 The Federalist, A wholly independent division of FDRLST Media. Belle Mont also illustrates Jeffersons reverence for the neoclassical architectural elements and ideas of the Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio,. Your email address will not be published. Advertised as an event where people can experience the "hospitality of the Old South", "A Plantation Christmas" was held at the Belle Mont Mansion on Sunday evening. This area of the property can be accessed from the master bedroom through a large door with a window that leads directly to the courtyard area, which is where the detached kitchen would have been accessed as well.The Mitchell family sold Belle Mont and 33 of the surrounding acres to their friends Isaac and Catherine Baker Jones Winston, who were also from Virginia, in 1833. Some visitors say that the building is haunted, having seen ghosts of former owners or of the slaves that lived and died on the plantation. I havent asked in years the last I remember I think I may have heard it was being restored but privately owned and with no plans to open to the public. Because of the tragedies that transpired therin, they powerfully communicate how far America has come. It is said to be haunted by slaves who died on the grounds and also by former owners. In 1790, John Hipkins purchased the property from the Conway family and in 1791 built Belle Grove for his only child, Fannie. My wife and I went to the mansion and learned of its peculiarities from the informative guide person. Owning 1,680 acres of cotton and corn, Dr. Mitchell became known as one of the largest planters in the area before he quickly sold the mansion and the surrounding land one year after its completion. Gift Shop (111 S. Main St., Tuscumbia). If you have lived in a haunted house you will not find this fun. The answer will always be a mystery. The article included a large photo of an interior shot of the mansion with my great aunts name first and last blazoned across the room in graffiti! Belle Mont Mansion is a historic house museum open for guided tours. It has a staff of three: a site director, curator, and tour guide. In its zealous desire to right previous wrongs, this goes too far in the other direction, and in the process, undermines the historical fabric of our nation. The tell when I was growing up was that the book 13 Alabama Ghosts held a tell from that house. Belle Mont was built for Alexander Williams Mitchell, who grew up in Louisa County, Virginia, only 25 miles from Jefferson's home at Monticello. Following the death of his wife Alexander Mitchell remarried and sold the plantation to Isaac and Catherine Winston and moved to Philadelphia in 1833. The Miracle Worker organ. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), NPS Investigation & Research Education Resource, World Institute for Scientific Exploration (WISE), http://www.mystery411.com/Landing_bellemonttuscumbia.html. I contacted the historic society to find out about the planned restoration project that I had heard about, and asked if I could assist as part of my Eagle Scout project in the Boy Scouts. Last edit to this listing: 1/16/2016 (2604 days ago). In 1983, concerned about the condition of the house, members of the Winston family donated Belle Mont and 33 surrounding acres to the Alabama Historical Commission. So all the people who work at these historic plantations, regardless of their race, sex, or income, must suffer the economic consequences of what feelings their employers history might provoke. Constructed between 1849 and 1860, Belmont Mansion was the home of Adelicia and Joseph Acklen. Id suggest a far better solution for prospective newlyweds, regardless of race or ethnicity, would be to get married where they should: in a church. The Conway family purchased the property in 1670 and it remained in the family for 120 years. Although the actual design of Belle Mont is a mystery, this particular relationship provides a clue about the original designer, or at least his influence.The source of Belle Monts design is shrouded in mystery, but tantalizing clues suggest the direct influence of President Thomas Jefferson, gentlemen architect of the early Republic, the official Belle Mont pamphlet states (Commission 2). Haunted Vacations, Adventures and Mysteries. He was not buried on the property as many legends say but in the Winston Family Cemetery in Tuscumbia as was his wife Catherine who died July 25, 1884. Contact the museum for current rates, policies, and an application. Visiting here is an opportunity to explore one of the few 1850s era homes still standing in Nashville while learning about the place and the people -- both free and enslaved -- who make this site worth understanding. Off Campus Book Store University of North Alabama, Norton Auditorium University of North Alabama. According to the letter, Christmas was a disturbing time for the enslaved. Chronological snobbery, as C.S. Dr. Mitchell and his family of seven were already living in Belle Mont when it was fully completed in 1832. We have located just two first-hand accounts of slavery at Belmont. However, the pamphlet continues by claiming that, characteristics of Jeffersonian Classicism are exhibited at Belle Mont, including finely executed brickwork with contrasting woodwork and a hilltop setting. The answer will always be a mystery. At the time, the name of the plantation was not Gay Mont, but Rose Hill. According to census records, Mitchell enslaved 115 people at the cotton plantation. Visitors to the mansion have reported seeing dark shadowy figures walking the fields and have heard the sound of chains rattling near the house.http://bellemont.weebly.com/history.htmlhttp://www.mystery411.com/Landing_bellemonttuscumbia.html. I have heard quiet voices in the night. He is the author of The Persecuted: True Stories of Courageous Christians Living Their Faith in Muslim Lands. The answer will always be a mystery. Then you maybe talk to family members and realize everyone feels the same way. Tell Us About Your Experience(s) at Belle Mont. One day toward the end of the project, My friend Ronnie and I went down to remove what was left from an old tree my Dad had cut down the day before and other light work. Gradually, the family gatherings became less frequent until the home was completely abandoned.The abandonment of the home was the largest cause of its deterioration and the vandalism that occurred at Belle Mont. We also dont need to police their repurposing. Belle Mont was erected in 1828 for a physician from Louisa County, Virginia, Dr. Alexander Williams Mitchell. Let us know! Would like to know if anyone does know anything about it and any info in accordance with that reference. I was born and raised in Tuscumbia. It is best to play gospel or Christian radio in your house 24/7 to make them move on. Belle Mont Mansion Tuscumbia, Alabama 65.4 miles from Tupelo, MS. A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. Me and a group of Freinds went out there one night and we first get there we get out the car and walking up the hill to the house and I get a snapchat (popular app used by teens) from someone I dont even got added and he said Im behind you then he sent another one and said I know where you are and I sent a snap and said where am I the. Belle Mont Mansion | Tuscumbia AL For some reason a lot of places in Tuscumbia AL are haunted. What county in Alabama had the most slaves? Happy haunting! I was amazed at the huge floor joist under the house, then I had that feeling someone had walked up behind me, I thought it was Ronnie, at that time I noticed some graffiti that had been put there, and asked Ronnie what he thought about, but when I turned around, Iwas there by myself. Home > Historical Buildings > Belle Mont Mansion A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. An Alabama Historical Commission site, Belle Mont was built 1828-1832 and is one of the state's first great plantation houses. Belle Mont Mansion By Ken Weigandin Ashley Ann Lewis, Haunted Locations Belle Mont was erected in 1828 for a physician from Louisa County, Virginia, Dr. Alexander Williams Mitchell. One was a bluish light, the other one looked golden. complete with original and period furniture, artwork and statuary. The celebration of a Plantation Christmas is racist, the letter reads. Visit BelmontMansionEvents.com to review options to Elope in Nashville at Belmont Mansion. Very little historic data, including census records, include last names of those who were enslaved, making it challenging to locate descendents through geneaology records. Constructed in the 1820s, Belle Mont fell into ruin until the Alabama Historical Commission rescued it in the 1980s. The Mitchell family sold Belle Mont and 33 of the surrounding acres to their friends Isaac and Catherine Baker Jones Winston, who were also from Virginia, in 1833. A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. It also reflects the vulnerability of American businesses to the whims of leftist protest movements. Plantations used for bourgeois ceremonies with language that obscures or even glorifies the estates dark past are one example. All submissions made to The National Paranormal Society, for the purposes of data analysis, article or editorial publication, team, individual or service listing, or any other submission category not listed become the property of the NPS. What Todays Cultural Marxists Would Be Wise To Learn From Martin Luther King Jr. Share Your Experience or Comments - Belle Mont. Admission: Adults $6; students, seniors, military $5; and children 6-18 $3. Belle Mont Mansion is located outside of Tuscumbia. I asked, Do you see him now? in a jested way as I awkwardly half-smile to my wife. It has a staff of three: a site director, curator, and tour guide. It's currently operated as a museum, and tours are available. Just one if many weird, cant explain it things that have happened here. It was built in 1940 on some of the land near General John Coffees home. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All of these places, despite their histories, are objectively beautiful. "The celebration of a 'Plantation Christmas' represents a willful ignorance of the experience of enslaved people and a concocted memory of a joyous, white supremacist Christmas celebration," the letter said. belle mont mansion slaves July 3, 2022 July 3, 2022 July 3, 2022 July 3, 2022. Indeed, it is the Christian character of America that has allowed us to recognize and seek to rectify our past errors. She said that at times, she, and others, would smell a floral scent like a womans perfume and get a cold feeling for no reason as if in the presence of a ghost. Stories of the Past - Conversations for the Future. Visiting here is an opportunity to explore one of the few 1850s era homes still standing in Nashville while learning about the place and the people -- both free and enslaved -- who make this site worth understanding. Sold by the Acklen family in 1887, the house went to a developer who began one of Nashvilles early suburbs. However, while living in Belle Mont and planting the surrounding acres, Dr. Mitchell housed 152 slaves in 13 slave cabins on the property. Tickets are available at Belle Mont Mansion and at Fiddledee D! 68 were here. A tour of this Nashville plantation tells the story . Belle Mont Mansion is being restored and partially furnished to reflect the antebellum, or pre-Civil War, time period. n 1832. A Pinterest representative, for example, announced that the website is working on de-indexing Google searches for plantation wedding. In December, a coalition of Alabama activists protested a Plantation Christmas event held at the Belle Mont Mansion near Tuscumbia, Alabama, because it memorialized white supremacist celebrations of Christmas. Heading south about to pass by the Belmont sign, and not having said a word in at least 15 Min, my son asks a question pointing precisely in the direction of the house, not visible in the daytime, let alone at pitch black night, Daddy, who is that man? to which I reply, What man? Slavery Plantation Agriculture Robert J. Vejnar, Kennesaw State University Dogtrot Cabin at Belle Mont Plantation Plantation agriculture was a form of large-scale farming that was most prevalent during the colonial and antebellum periods of American history. The Winston family maintained ownership and continued living in Belle Mont through the Civil War and until around 1940. Located just outside Tuscumbia in Colbert County, the mansion is one of a few Palladian-style houses in the Deep South. Gradually, the family gatherings became less frequent until the home was completely abandoned. Come to Belle Mont to learn more about Palladian architecture and to see first-hand the tantalizing clues suggesting the direct influence of Thomas Jefferson himself. The property remained in the family until 1941 and in 1983 the house and 35 acres was donated to the State of Alabama by the Fennel family. Belle Mont Mansion has resumed normal operating hours and will be operating at reduced capacity to safeguard against COVID-19. Peace to everyone. In a letter sent to multiple Alabama Historical Commission officials Tuesday night, the coalition demanded an apology as well as a promise to no longer hold events supporting tours and events that "deny the brutality of the past." Many of them, even their detractors must admit, are beautiful, both in reference to their natural surroundings and their architecture. Its important the reality of what happened in these spaces is present, versus a romanticization of human rights abuses.. Strange are there actually any African Americans who have memories of the antebellum period, given that it ended 160 years ago? Now, thats poetic justice. If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! The Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville hired a black historian to research the site's enslavement history and to offer tours so visitors can learn about the African Americans who were enslaved on the property. In each society and in each generation slaves adjusted and . But fewer probably know that it .