Rutherford tells its story from different perspectives: Stones River National Battlefield recalls a major battle of the American Civil War, historic homes showcase various architectural styles, and museums focus on regional experiences. Natural areas and hands-on attractions add their own accents. Depending on your interests, you can focus on the county’s history, landscape, or discoveries for young visitors.
History at Different Scales
Stones River National Battlefield commemorates the Battle of Stones River, one of the largest and most significant battles of the American Civil War. The battlefield covers about 670 acres and has more than seven miles of trails. Living history demonstrations are held there regularly. The expansive grounds and the direct presentation of historical topics sit side by side.
Cannonsburgh Village opens up a different span of time: The historic village portrays around 100 years of early life in Tennessee, from the 1830s to the 1930s. Its programs range from informational classes and crafts to gardening, history, and preservation. While the battlefield focuses on a particular battle, Cannonsburgh spans several decades of regional life.
The historic homes also each have a different focus. Oaklands Mansion is a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring the rural Italianate style. Its grounds include walking trails, wetlands, and an arboretum of native trees. Self-guided tours are available Tuesday through Friday by reservation; take this time frame into account when planning.
The Historic Sam Davis Home and Museum is a Greek Revival house on a 168-acre property in Smyrna. The grounds include two historic houses, several outbuildings, slave quarters, and a family cemetery. Comparing the two properties takes you from Oaklands’ Italianate architecture to a Greek Revival home, while also showing how varied historic grounds can be.
Museums and exhibits offer further perspectives. The main exhibit, “The Time that Changed Everything,” at the Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County presents personal accounts from county residents during the American Civil War and recounts local events during and after the war. The Heritage Center also offers public programs, educational opportunities, and downtown tours, and highlights historic and cultural sites, attractions, and events throughout the county.
The Rutherford County Historic Courthouse and Museum is housed in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center is located in a restored building listed on the Register. As a cultural and local history museum, it focuses on the significance of the United States Colored Troops and the legacy of African American education in Rutherford County.
Natural Areas and Trails
For a comparison of scale, consider the approximately 670-acre Stones River National Battlefield and Murfree Spring Wetlands, a 25-acre city park in Murfreesboro. The park has paved walking trails and elevated boardwalks. The figures clearly distinguish the expansive battlefield grounds from the city park; at the same time, both offer tangible ways to explore the county’s landscape.
The Murfreesboro Greenway System connects historic sites, parks, neighborhoods, and businesses. It also serves as a corridor for protecting natural and cultural resources. This offers a different way to experience the area than a single park: The focus here is on a connected system encompassing different kinds of places and serving a conservation purpose.
Hands-On Activities and Discoveries
The Discovery Center is geared toward children from birth to age 12; visitor groups must include a child in this age range. Interactive exhibits encourage children to engage with science, art, and nature through hands-on play. In the LEGO Lab, they work with building bricks, with a focus on imagination, problem-solving, and learning STEM through play.
Earth Experience – Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History is the first natural history museum in Middle Tennessee. Exhibits cover topics including dinosaurs, fossils, gemstones, minerals, rocks, and archaeological artifacts. A special feature is the active paleontology lab, where visitors can watch real dinosaur bones being cleaned and restored. Here, natural history exhibits meet ongoing work with fossils.
At Lucky Ladd Farms, other discoveries take center stage: Offerings include a petting zoo with animal encounters, a nature trail through Cedar Glades, and a mining sluice where visitors can search for fool’s gold or fossils. The Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center offers special training programs for kayaking enthusiasts. As program details can change, check them before making plans.
A culinary destination rounds out the selection: TailGate Brewery offers craft beers and homemade Detroit-style pizza. This mix of history, nature, hands-on activities, and local dining offers different ways to discover Rutherford based on your interests.
Discover more destinations: Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Greene, Lewis County, Claiborne County, Washington County, Coffee.
Go to the main travel overview: Tennessee.
