Hours:
Monday through Saturday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Address:
1140 Columbia Ave.
Franklin, TN 37167
Carter House, built in 1830, was one of the premier farms in Middle Tennessee. On November 30, 1864, the home and the families who lived there found themselves in the middle of one of the most dramatic events of the Civil War.
Carter House is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.
We are pleased to offer a variety of tour options for those wishing to experience all Carter House has to offer!
Classic House Tour
60-minute, guided tour of Carter House. Self-guided access to the grounds. Adults $22, children (6-15) $14.
Offered throughout the day based on the flow of walk-in traffic, typically every 30 - 40 minutes. You will receive your tour time when you purchase your ticket. The last guided tour of the day begins at 4:00 pm.
Walk-ins ONLY!
We offer Combination Tickets for Carnton and Carter House and Tennessee Campaign Tickets for Rippa Villa, Carnton, and Carter House. Combination Tickets are $40 each, which saves $4 per person. Campaign Tickets are $50 each, which saves $16 per person. Neither ticket ever expires. You can always walk in at any time of the day and buy these tickets, but if you want to plan your visit in advance you may purchase either ticket, and as many as you want, online. Please note that the online option is only for a 9 am start time and you must begin at Carter House. By starting at 9 am you will beat the heat, the busiest time of the day, and you will not be rushed. If you do not arrive at 9 am we cannot guarantee the next tour time, but it should not be longer than a 30-45 minute wait. If you have any questions, call Bill Clark at 615-261-8606 or e-mail him at bill@boft.org.
All Men Are Created Equal Tour
This 90-minute tour of the house and grounds will follow the United States from its Founding to Civil War. You will learn about the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson and the decades long struggle over the very meaning of equality and how the country slowly drifted apart over the issue of African slavery. You will also learn about, at each respective site, Randal McGavock (Carnton), Francis Carter (Carter House), and Nathaniel Cheairs (Rippa Villa), who settled in Middle Tennessee around the dawn of the 19th century, and their generation’s role in the history of the country. Each was born just before the American Revolution and their sons and daughters felt the impact of Civil War.
This tour is offered nowhere else in Tennessee. You do not want to miss this opportunity!! Proceeds from every ticket will help fund the design and installation of the new exhibit and museum at the new Carter House visitor, which will open in 2026. Its theme will be: All Men Are Created Equal.
Offered Monday - Saturday at 9am and 12:30 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time. $29 per person.
Walk-ins welcomed.
Battlefield Tour
90-minute, guided tour of the Franklin battlefield near Carter House. $29 per person.
Offered on Monday - Saturday at 9am, 11am, and 2pm. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time. Walk-ins welcome.
Slavery & the Enslaved Tour
90-minute guided tour focusing on slavery as an institution and the specific people who were enslaved at Carter House. $29 per person.
Offered at 10am & 12:30pm Monday - Saturday. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time.
Extended Tour
90-minute guided tour of the house and grounds at Carter House. $29 per person.
Offered at 9am, 11am & 2pm, Monday - Saturday, and at 11am on Sunday. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time.
The Amazing Grace Tour
This 90-minute specialty tour provides a Christian theological perspective on the American Civil War, as well as its application to the Carters and other similar families. This tour is based on the well-known Christian hymn by the same name, which was written in the latter part of the 18th century by John Newton. Newton was a converted slave trader who later had a large impact on the abolition of slavery in England. The Amazing Grace Tour provides an opportunity to expand our understanding and explanation of this tumultuous time in American history through the lens of Christianity and faith. $29 per person.
Offered Thursdays and Fridays at 9am. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time.
Spring Hill to Franklin Battlefield Tour
Tickets are $200 per person. The tour is approximately 4 hours long and includes walking and driving portions. This tour does not take you inside of the historic homes. Tickets include 25% off all gift shop items. All tours must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. The Battle of Franklin Trust does not provide transportation.
The tour is only offered Tuesdays from 8am to 12pm.
*The tour begins at Rippa Villa.