Sunnyside in Sevier Park

Hello, and welcome to the Nashville Sites Sunnyside in Sevier Park tour! The history of this land goes back thousands of years, from early Indigenous people who hunted here to its current use as a community park. Since 1790, more than 12 families have called this place home, though not all have done so willingly. . . That’s because many of the early families enslaved dozens of individuals. Ongoing archaeological and archival research is helping us learn more about their lives, which we share here with you. The house in the center of the park—Sunnyside—was built just a decade before the start of the Civil War, and the house was eventually in the line of fire during the Battle of Nashville. As ownership changed in the decades after the war, the house experienced numerous renovations and expansions as this area shifted from farmland to a suburban neighborhood. The land around Sunnyside also experienced change, the original 640 acres ultimately became only 20 acres. The rest of the original property is the 12th South neighborhood you see today. 

This tour was sponsored by the Battle of Nashville Trust. The narrative was co-written by Nashville Historical Foundation staff members Jessica Reeves, Russell LeStourgeon, and Dr. Adam Fracchia. And I’m Nick Dryden—your narrator and guide. I’m a third generation Tennessee architect and the principal owner of Dryden Architecture + Design. My firm helped design the 2024 renovations at Sunnyside. I’m excited to take you back in time, as we learn about the history of this beautiful house and the people who have called it home.

We encourage you to take our Downtown Civil War walking tour, which visits sites in the downtown core, and Civil War Driving tour, which conveniently ends at Sunnyside. Also be sure to tag us on social media @NashvilleSites and consider supporting Nashville Sites by clicking on the donate button.

Before beginning the tour, walk to the northeast corner of the park to see the Sunnyside historical marker. This is now the main pedestrian entry point from the 12 South Neighborhood, but it was once the driveway for Sunnyside from Granny White Pike! When you are ready to begin the tour, follow the path towards the house and stop at the first interpretive panel—Early History.