This Historical Village Might Be The Most Charming Place In Tennessee
By Chris Dodge|Updated on November 17, 2023(Originally published January 03, 2023)
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
At Fiddlers Grove Historic Village in Lebanon, Tennessee, a trip back through time has never been more charming and interesting. This village is comprised of everything from Wilson County, and putting it together became a real community effort. The buildings and the artifacts all come together to set the stage for the fascinating stories of the past. History comes alive here and is an interactive experience, so take a trip through time to Fiddlers Grove.
What started as a dream to preserve stories of Wilson County took off and became something so much more than a dream.
Seven historic buildings lined the grounds at James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1991 when Fiddlers Grove opened. Many of the buildings were brought in to join this historic village, and others are replicas, but everything tells the story of the people of Wilson County. We are thankful that there are people who take the time to preserve history that many others might overlook. But the relics of the past can always tell us something about where we are now and can be a tool to teach us going forward into the future.
Cabins, where people lived simple lives, can be found in the village.
The name of Fiddlers Grove came from a man named Edward Jacobs. He used to sit on the front porch of a cabin just like the ones found in the village and play his fiddle. Stories of his legendary fiddle playing made it through time to the present day, and thus the inspiration for the name of the village came: Fiddlers Grove.
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Spend some time exploring the village because every building speaks of a time long gone.
You can walk into the small single-room school house, visit a quaint little church, or see an old lawyer's office. Everything you would need in a small thriving village is represented. The people of Wilson County donated buildings, materials, and artifacts that made it all possible. Many of the buildings have plaques to further dig into the perfectly preserved history found throughout the village.
It may seem like a century ago when gas was 45 cents a gallon, but you can visit an old pump with that price posted. Imagine going to the barber where a simple shave could have cost you a mere 10 cents. Old-fashioned vending machines selling Coca-Cola in glass bottles are inside, and the price is posted at 20 cents. Those days are long gone now, but walking through history in the village is an immersive and interactive experience.
There are fun events throughout the year to partake in. During October, you can visit when they have their Ghost in the Grove event, which transforms the entire village into a haunted house. Ghastly ghouls and fiendish foes lurk around in the dark while spooky stories are told. Interwinding truth, myth, and history where intriguing tales will captivate children and adults alike.
A popular event takes place during the holidays. The Dancing Lights of Christmas is a 2.5-mile light show with synchronized lights and even holiday cheer to go around.
Locomotives have a huge history in the South and are still used to this day, so the historical train museum onsite should come as no surprise.
Stepping inside, you can see several tracks with model trains chugging along. No trip to the village is complete until you step into this fantastic train car. Plus who doesn't love a red caboose? There is so much to do at Fiddlers Grove that you might not ever want to leave.
Fiddlers Grove in Lebanon, Tennessee, is such a fun way to experience the stories and history of Wilson County. Walking around the village, you may hear the distant ring of a hammer hitting an anvil from the blacksmith, see a group of children getting a lesson about life as a pioneer, or simply sit in a rocking chair. History comes alive and you get the unique opportunity to take it all in. For more information, please visit the Fiddlers Grove Historic Village website.
Get a closer look at the village before you go by watching this video from YouTuber Everyday Is Saturday:
