Two Rivers Mansion Just Had a $4.5 Million Renovation!
After nearly two years of renovations, Two Rivers Mansion is finally ready to reopen! Get a first look at the $4.5 million makeover and what’s next for this historic Nashville gem. Image: Friends of Two Rivers
After nearly two years wrapped in scaffolding and construction cones, Two Rivers Mansion is finally ready to show off its glow-up. On Saturday, August 9, at 10 a.m., the newly restored historic estate will return to the spotlight with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Friends of Two Rivers — and yes, you’re invited.
If you’ve ever strolled past this grand, 1859-built Italianate beauty and thought, “She’s still got it,” you weren’t wrong. But now, she’s got even more. The $4.5 million restoration is the largest facelift in the mansion’s history, and let’s just say, the results are nothing short of stunning.
“This isn’t just a fresh coat of paint,” says Jeff Syracuse, Vice President of Friends of Two Rivers. “The mansion is better than it’s ever been before. It’s ready to stand the test of time and then some.”
For those unfamiliar, Two Rivers Mansion sits in Donelson beside the original 1802 federal-style brick home and is one of the best-preserved Italianate homes in Middle Tennessee. Originally built by David McGavock over the course of eight years, the estate remained in the family for over a century before Metro Government purchased it in 1966.
Over the decades, the mansion has served as a quiet but commanding presence, hosting weddings, concerts, school field trips, and the occasional local history buff just there to gawk at the ceilings. But with the latest renovation, it’s ready for a whole new chapter.
“You can look at a photo in a book,” says Friends of Two Rivers President Philip Claiborne, “but stepping inside one of these rooms? That’s when the magic hits you.” And Philip knows a thing or two about that magic; he’s been helping lead the charge to protect and promote the mansion for over 15 years.
Tours of the newly renovated mansion begin just before the grand reveal, running from August 4 through September 12. Guided tours are offered Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with four hourly slots between noon and 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under, and free for members of Friends of Two Rivers (a good excuse to join, if you ask us).
Beyond tours, the mansion is also available for private events, so if you’re dreaming of a wedding venue with serious Bridgerton vibes or want to throw a birthday party that makes your friends wildly jealous, you’re in luck.
And this is only the beginning. The Two Rivers restoration is just one piece of the Friends of Two Rivers’ larger mission to preserve and share Nashville’s history, one stately room at a time. With an eye on the future and a deep respect for the past, this group of dedicated locals has ensured our city’s stories and architecture continue to live on.
So, whether you’re a history lover, architecture fan, or just a sucker for a good before-and-after, mark your calendar. Two Rivers Mansion is back and looking better than ever.
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.