Back in the early 1930s when the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established, some 15,000 families were to be displaced by the building of the necessary dams and resulting lakes. But before that could happen, one of the families (the Fain family) salvaged the woodwork from their circa 1850 soon-to-be-under-water home — then moved inland and used their legacy in wood to build another residence on 10+ acres in Jefferson City, Tennessee. This second structure, built in 1941, is an entirely different floor plan from the original; I’m fascinated by the creative thinking it must have taken to construct it! Remaining in the Fain family for the majority of the next several decades, it was purchased by Carson-Newman College in 2008 for use as a President’s Home. The O’Briens assisted the College with the updating of the house, including adding a sunroom which immeasurably improved the house’s traffic flow and provided better options for all of the entertaining that is part of the President’s and First Lady’s pleasure … and responsibility.
For you, my blog readers, there was no arm twisting. It’s strictly with pleasure that the First Lady opens her home to us for a visit … and with gratitude that we accept her kindness! (If you want to see something more closely, just click on the picture once to enlarge it … or twice to enlarge it even more!)
It’s getting late, and we don’t want to wear out our welcome, so we’d better think about saying our goodbyes…
What a beautiful home and very interesing history!
This little tour would get anyone in the Christmas spirit.
Merry Christmas!
love your swing and porch pics, and the red barn, so christmasy~
Thank you for such a wonderful tour and history of this lovely home! The Christmas decorations are enchanting. The porch says it all!
Mary
From Virginia
Loved your post!! What a treat to see this wonderful home. Beautifully decorated too. Wow. the dining room is so warm and inviting. I love the Christmas tree dishes with the gold! Merry Christmas.
What a beautiful home filled with lovely touches of CHristmas everywhere!
What a warm and lovely home 🙂
Merry CHRISTmas!
Gail
What a wonderful home, dressed in sparkling Christmas finery…the woodwork is absolutely beautiful. The table is gorgeous, love the stemware…
Merry Christmas, Susan!
I’m so glad that she let you give us a tour because it’s really lovely. The tablescape is icing on the cake. Loved it all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
How beautiful. . Thank you for sharing such a beautiful home. Merry Christmas
How fun was that! Thanks so much for brining us along. I want to see the barn turned into something wonderful too. Her table is just exquisite. The color of the glasses is amazing and her centerpiece is wonderful too. Have a very wonderful Christmas.
What a delight to read your post this morning! We knew Kay and Randall when they were at Baylor and enjoyed festive meals in their home. I know Carson-Newman is blessed by their leadership. Do tell them hello from Tricia Tolbert!
What a beautiful home and table . I loved all your photos. Have a Merry Christmas.
So pretty~~I am in love with the porch!!
Happy Tablescape Thursday~~~and Merry Christmas!!
Thank you for the beautiful tour :))
Blessings to you…
Kay Ellen
You were especially blessed with an invitation to view such a beautiful Christmas home. Thank you for sharing your photos of the tour with us. Happy New Year! Cherry Kay
Thank you for the tour of this very beautiful home. The history is so interesting and it’s wonderful that they salvaged the wood from the original homestead. Pamela