Hours:
Monday through Saturday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Address:
1345 Eastern Flank Circle
Franklin, TN 37167
Carnton, built in 1826, was one of the premier farms in Middle Tennessee. On November 30, 1864, the home and the McGavock who lived there found themselves in the middle of one of the most dramatic events of the Civil War.
Carnton 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 Carnton has to offer!
Classic House Tour
60-minute, guided tour of the 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 Carnton. 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.
Slavery & the Enslaved Tour
90-minute guided tour focusing on slavery as an institution and the specific people who were enslaved at Carnton. $29 per person.
Offered at 9am & 12:30pm, Monday - Friday. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time.
Extended Tour
90-minute guided tour of the house and grounds at Carnton. $29 per person.
Offered at 9am, 11am & 2pm, Monday - Saturday, and at 11am on Sunday. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time.
Behind the Scenes Tour
90-minute guided tour of Carnton, visiting areas of the home not open on the Classic House Tour. $29 per person.
Offered Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10am. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time.
Carnton Battlefield Tour
Join us for a comprehensive walking tour of the Eastern Flank of the Franklin battlefield. The tour focuses on many elements of the Battle of Franklin, explaining why it occurred, the arrival of the Federal and Confederate armies, and details of what became known as one of the greatest single assaults of the Civil War. $29 per person.
Offered Tuesday through Saturday at 9am, 11am, and 2pm. 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 McGavocks 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. In Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address he stated “...both sides read the same Bible and pray to the same God.” 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 Wednesdays at 9am. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time.
Spring Hill to Franklin Battlefield Tour
The tour is only offered Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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 begins at Rippa Villa.