The Best Museums and Historical Landmarks in Columbia, TN

If you’re visiting the Columbia, Tennessee, area, here are some historic landmarks and museums you might want to check out:

Elm Springs

Elm Springs, a Greek Revival mansion, was the home of Susan Todd, wife of Confederate Army Colonel and Tennessee State Senator, Abraham Looney. Built-in 1837 for brothers James and Nathaniel Dick, wealthy New Orleans cotton merchants, this home was originally gifted to their sister Sarah Todd. When Sarah passed, Susan inherited the property. Elm Springs not only witnessed Confederate and Union army marches but also served as the headquarters for Frank Armstrong, Confederate General.

In 1985, the home was restored almost entirely and the next year placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can tour the home and learn about its history before, during, and after the Civil War ended. Individuals can also rent the mansion and acres of land for weddings and other special occasions.

Athenaeum Rectory

The Athenaeum Rectory was a home intended for President Polk’s nephew, Samuel Polk Walker, built in 1837. However, Samuel never lived there, so Reverend Franklin Smith resided in the home with his family. In 1852, Smith opened a private girl’s school next door, which he called the Athenaeum. The Athenaeum, which means “seat of knowledge,” operated until 1904 and was one of two girl’s schools in the area. The other school was known as the Columbia Female Institute, which thrived from the 1830s until the Great Depression.

The Athenaeum burned down in 1959, leaving only the Smith’s home. The home’s donation to the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA) allowed it to open as a historic museum. The home is now available as an event venue and open to the public for tours.

President James K. Polk Home and Museum

The home of James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, resides in Columbia. It was built by Samuel Polk, James’s father, in 1816, and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1961. It is currently open to the public for tours. Tours last 30 minutes and feature original exhibits showcasing American society of culture during Polk’s time as president, as well as traveling exhibits. Visitors will receive a guided tour of the main home and can take an optional self-guided tour of the Polk Sisters’ House, the gardens, and the kitchen building.

James K. Polk was president from 1845-1849 and was widely known for helping expand the borders of the U.S. to the Pacific Ocean, which added three new states to the union. He also oversaw the Naval Academy and Smithsonian Institute opening, commissioned the Washington Monument, and initiated the use of postal stamps. He also served as Governor of Tennessee, held a seat in the U.S House of Representatives, and is the only president to also serve as speaker of the house.

a’Museum

a’Museum is a children’s museum located in historic downtown Columbia, Tennessee, that opened in 2011. a’Museum started as a traveling experience brought to local schools in the greater Nashville area and Maury County. Its incredible success after just three months turned the “Museum Without Walls” school summer program into a permanent space for children and families to explore, create, and use their imagination.

The a’Museum’s mission is to “open a world of past, present, and future exploration that encourages all children to be thinkers, learners, and creators.” And it accomplished just that. This downtown museum is a safe and welcoming place for children and their families to play and discover, and a supportive educational environment for schools and teachers to use.

a’Museum offers a number of activities. An indoor playground with a lite-brite wall and dress-up stations to role-play allow children to express their creativity. Exhibits include kid-size voting booths, grocery stores, ice cream shops, farms, banks, and more, so children can learn about everyday life. The museum also offers weekly activities like Tinkering Thursdays, where children can experiment and learn about problem-solving, or Messy Mondays for sensory play. Don’t miss the toy store on your way out. Each toy purchased goes toward this nonprofit’s mission.

Tennessee Civil War Trails

The greater Tennessee Civil War Trails wind through parts of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland. These trails allow visitors to travel on foot via self-guided tours along trails that generals, soldiers, citizens, and the enslaved walked during the Civil War. The trail takes visitors to over 1,500 historic sites. Sites you’ll find along the Columbia trail include The Bigby Greys, St. John’s Church, The Athenaeum, Artillery Duel, and the Rippavilla Plantation.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

A historic landmark, St. John’s Episcopal Church was consecrated in 1842 by the first Episcopal Bishop of Tennessee, James Hervey Otey. Cousins of President James Polk donated land and material for the church, which was constructed by slaves and used as a plantation church where the Polk family, their salves, and neighbors worshipped. The church was used as a confederate hospital during the Civil War serving a few wounded soldiers and was occupied briefly by Union soldiers.

Visitors can walk the grounds of St. John’s, viewing the churchyard burial ground where the remains of General Cleburne, Granbury, and Strahl rested until moved and re-buried in different states. The church itself is not in use, except for on Whitsunday, the once-a-year Feast of Pentecost.

Greenwood Cemetery

Greenwood Cemetery is the original burial ground for the city of Columbia. Buried here are Major Samuel Polk and his wife, Jane Knox Polk, the parents of James K. Polk. Remains of three unknown soldiers of the American Revolution also reside here, along with roughly a dozen War of 1812 soldiers, a few soldiers from the Mexican War, and soldiers who fought in the Civil War.

Historic Downtown Columbia

If you’re visiting Columbia you should check out the downtown area. Visit the iconic 1906 courthouse or go down to scenic Duck River, one of the most ecologically diverse rivers in the United States. Spend some time shopping local stores for vintage finds and antiques, enjoying incredible local food, checking out live music, and tasting at the local breweries.

And if you’re looking for a new ride while in town, head over to Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia, just 6 minutes from downtown! We offer new and used cars, and certified service if your current Chevrolet needs a tune-up before you hit the road.