The Tennessee Historical Commission tells News 2 that everything is on track, but the site’s reopening is still a year away, at least.
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It’s been less than six months since Hendersonville’s historic Rock Castle site closed down for renovations.
The Tennessee Historical Commission told News 2 that everything is on track, but the site’s reopening is still at least a year away.
Rock Castle became a Tennessee historical site in 1969, which marks 173 years after Daniel Smith’s family completed the house itself. Now, for the first time in all those years, the property is in the midst of its biggest renovation in hopes of preserving and enhancing its rich history.
“This is the largest project our agency has ever done, it’s $11.36 million. It’s an extraordinary job,” said Dan Brown, Program Director for Historical Sites with the commission.
As construction efforts ramp up, the site’s significance is hard to ignore. In fact, it has fueled the work that’s being done.
“So much is lost, all the time,” said Brown. “We’re doing a number of things to make the site more useful, but particularly with that visitor center. It’s going to engage the public with the history of this site and with the historic aspects of this site in a way that could never happen.”
Tennessee’s Historical Commission manages 18 sites across the state. Brown said Rock Castle is top two in visitation each year. It’s become a destination space for special events in Middle Tennessee and an “irreplaceable” piece of the past.
“It was amazing the things I’ve learned since I’ve been here,” said David Boger, the project’s contractor. “Doing this project kind of gives us the opportunity to do both… preserving the history, as well as providing growth to Hendersonville.”
Outside of the new event center, which will work as a hub for all the site’s activities, the current visitor center will soon be demolished and a large parking lot is being built. And for all the Swifities: the pavilion where a young Taylor Swift allegedly first performed was relocated and will remain a part of the property.
“How do you engage the public? You engage them with the idea that this is where they live their lives,” said Brown.
Of course, given the revenue that Rock Castle generates from events and festivals, there has been significant money lost by the nonprofit that maintains the site. Brown said a plan was set in place ahead of time to keep the organization—”Friends of Rock Castle”—afloat with funds until everything is completed.
The goal is to have Rock Castle back open and “cooking with gas” by November 2025.