Exploring Historic Granville, TN

The idyllic small town of Granville, Tennessee, is one that we’ve wanted to visit for many years. Why, you ask? Well, it’s the hometown of both of my husband’s grandparents, and it conjures the nostalgia of times gone by!

From Bustling – to Bust – to Bustling Again!

You’ll find Granville an hour east of Nashville, nestled on the banks of the Cumberland River. From the early 1800s until 1920, Granville was a thriving riverboat town and farming area. However, by the mid-1900s, when the Cordell Hull Dam was built, much of the once profitable farmland was buried underwater. Residents left to find better economic opportunities, and Granville became a near ghost town.

Around the year 2000, a group of volunteers united with the vision of making Granville a destination city and preserving the story of this riverboat farming community. It’s a testament to the town’s southern hospitality that this committed force of 200 volunteers maintains the town’s operations and its many museums.

Highlights & Suggestions For Exploring Granville

Granville’s historic center is contained to a three-by-two-block radius at the tip of a peninsula surrounded by the Cumberland River and its tributaries. Over ten museums, a smattering of retail shops, and a small restaurant are available to tour.

Start your day by purchasing a ticket at the Sutton General Store. The $7 admission fee gives you access to all of the museums mentioned above. It’s important to note that historic Granville has limited hours. The facilities are open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM (5 PM on Saturdays).

Below is a list of the museum sights you might want to see. Your ticket includes guided tours of the Sutton Homestead and the Pioneer Village & Car Museum. All other museum facilities are self-guided, although several have volunteers on hand to provide demonstrations, etc.

Sutton General Store
Sutton Homestead
Granville Museum
Pioneer Village and Car Museum
Farm to Table Agriculture Museum
Daniel Barber Shop and Post Office Museum
Clemons Car Museum
Mayberry – I Love Lucy Museum
Whiskey Decanter Museum
Whistle Stop Saloon and Ice Cream Museum
Tennessee Quilt & Textile Museum

The Sutton General Store & Homestead

While we did not have time to tour every one of the above locations, a few places stood out as favorites. The Sutton General Store is a two-story gem that boasts many fixtures that are original to the early 20^th century. The first floor offers a variety of merchandise, including cookbooks, food items, and small toys, while the 2^nd level features an Artisans’ Gallery of handmade goods. It’s a great spot to pick up a souvenir or two! You can also grab lunch here or even see a live bluegrass show – see details on food & lodging below.

The Sutton Homestead is one of the venues where you will receive a guided tour with your ticket. This home features many of the original furnishings and memorabilia of the Sutton family and one-time owners of the Sutton General Store. We were thrilled to come across a quilt displayed here that features the surnames of both of my husband’s great-grandparents!

The Granville Museum

The Granville Museum beautifully preserves the memories and artifacts of the residents of Granville. Photos abound, helping paint a vivid portrait of what life was like here when riverboats ruled in rural Tennessee. You’ll also find displays dedicated to the military service of Granville residents, popular fashions, the history of education in the area, and more. If, like us, you have family from the region, extensive genealogy records are available here.

Time Saver Attractions

The remaining museums your ticket provides access to are small and quick to visit. We enjoyed the Post Office Museum with its original letter boxes, and the demonstration at Granville Broom Works was really interesting. We were sad to learn that the Whistle Stop Saloon and Ice Cream Museum doesn’t actually sell ice cream, but fear not, you can get your fill of it down the street at the General Store!

A Mayberry Town

Granville refers to itself as Tennessee’s Mayberry town, but I found this to be a bit confusing. We understood that the “real” Mayberry is located in North Carolina. While I’m sure the Mayberry and I Love Lucy museums here are a hit with many, the town has such an important and active history that I’d love to see them veer away from gimmicks and maintain the focus on Granville & its residents.

Granville Food & Lodging

Stop for a hearty Meat & 3 Lunch at the Sutton General Store during your historic Granville tour. The menu is small but delicious, filling, and very reasonably priced.

If you are in town on a Saturday night, call ahead for tickets to the weekly taping of Tennessee’s #1 live bluegrass radio show. You can select an option that includes dinner or an option for the music program only. This is sure to be an incredibly rare and memorable vacation activity! CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUTUBE VIDEO.

While a handful of B&Bs are in the historic downtown, just a mile outside of Granville, you will find the Wildwood Resort & Marina. This newer complex offers lakeside lodging, boating facilities, dining, live music, and more. It makes a great base for those wishing to spend a weekend in the country.

Why Visit Granville

Towns like Granville are becoming harder and harder to find. This charming little spot in the country makes for a perfect, relaxing day trip from party-hearty Nashville. For nature lovers, it’s well worth spending a bit more time. Enjoy life along the river, hike, catch a few fish, and restore your soul. Granville will be there to welcome you!

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Exploring Historic Granville, TN
When Riverboats Ruled The Cumberland

From Bustling – to Bust – to Bustling Again!