Falcon Rest mansion is the site of a new Civil War play featuring, George and Charlien McGlothin.
Betty Lou just didn’t believe it. It is possible to have fun and learn something about the Civil War at the same time.
To top it off, she made her dramatic “debut” at the same time.
And where did this miracle take place? Falcon Rest mansion in McMinnville, TN.
George and Charlien McGlothin premiered their latest production: "The Honeymoon Ball of Gen. John Hunt Morgan … His Last Happy Day" on the weekend of April 25-26 in McMinnville, the nursery capital of the world.
“The Honeymoon Ball” is the latest in a series of interactive plays written by the funny, talented couple.
Interactive? Yes, the folks in the audience play small roles in the performance with George starring as famous Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan and Charlien as famous writer/poet Virginia French.
“I don’t do this. I refused to do this. There’s no way I am going to do this,” announced Betty Lou when she discovered the nature of the play.
But a scant couple of hours later, there was Betty Lou accepting her part as Mrs. Poindexter, the wife of a Presbyterian minister who prepared the feast for the honeymoon ball.
Ol’ Hammerhaid was surprised by her performance and was absolutely shocked that she knew the words to “Dixie.”
As for his part, Hammerhaid was typecast as the huge, glowering Confederate “terrorist” Champ Ferguson complete with plastic Bowie knife.
We’re not talking high drama here, but the presentation was based on accurate history, which pleased the Civil War buff in Hammerhaid.
“Think of it as a Civil War version of Hee-Haw,” explained the McGlothin’s daughter, who shared a table with us along with a doctor from Utah.
“When you say we get visitors from around the world, it is literally true,” said George during a tour of the grounds.
Falcon Rest, located in a peaceful country setting just outside of McMinnville, was built by Clay Faulkner for his wife and five children in 1896-97. The 10,000 sq. ft. Queen Anne mansion was state-of-the-art for the late Victorian period with indoor plumbing and was wired for electricity.
Later the home was converted into a hospital, the Faulkner Springs Hospital and Sanitarium and functioned as such until 1968. The house stood vacant until 1983 when Joe Grissom purchased it and began restoration. The McGlothins purchased the house and finished its basic restoration in 1993.
“It is still a work in progress,” George explained, adding that he and Charlien did the restoration work.
“To see him in the hot summer sun chipping plaster off the bricks was unbelievable,” daughter said.
In 1997, Falcon Rest won the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Great American Home Award” for their restoration efforts.
We stayed in the lovely Carriage Room, adjacent to the Victorian Carriage House at the rear of the mansion.
“Is it purple?” Hammerhaid asked.
“No, it’s mauve,” corrected Betty Lou. “Wow, what a bedroom suite!”
The Victorian Rennaisance-style bed is 9-1/2 feet tall ... beautiful. It was balanced by a wonderful settee and beautiful velvet curtains made by Charlien.
The 16 x16-foot room has a private entrance and great view of Falcon Rest's grounds. It was quiet and romantic. There was a cozy table for two which was perfect for in-room dining. The adjoining private bath featured Betty Lou’s favorite, an antique claw-foot tub.
Betty Lou had only one little quibble ... the bed was too firm for her.
“You should have never slept on that space-age foam mattress in Chattanooga,” Hammerhaid laughed. “It ruined you for normal beds.”
“Maybe you’re right,” she admitted.
She loved the settee though.
“That’s a real surprise. I always thought those would be uncomfortable, but it’s perfect,” she said as she settled down with a selection of books and magazines from the room’s large selection.
“Wow, what a great selection of channels,” Hammerhaid exclaimed, as he checked out the TV. “I could live here forever.”
We were both pleased with the food.
The play came with dinner based upon the menu for the original ball. The ham stuffed with turkey was unusual and was delectable as was the old-fashioned corn pudding. The delicate sno-white cake was fantastic.
Breakfast, served in our room the next morning, was fabulous as well with a delicious sausage and cheese omlet, biscuits with honey butter and fresh mixed fruits. Betty Lou is still going on about the apple turnovers.
“The best I’ve ever had,” she said.
The gift shop was fun too with items reflecting a historical theme. There was a mixture of “fun” items and beautiful jewelry with a great selection of music boxes.
“It’s part of what I like to is in keeping with Falcon Rest’s theme as ‘the Victorian mansion where history is fun,’” George said.
We enjoyed our visit and are already talking about attending the “Ghost in the Mansion” production at Falcon Rest.
“Ghost in the Mansion?”
Oh, yes, there are numerous ghost stories associated with the mansion, but that’s another adventure.
Where is Falcon Rest?
It's halfway between Nashville & Chattanooga, 25 miles east of I-24 at Manchester Exit 111.
33 miles south of I-40 from Smithville Exit 273, between Nashville and Knoxville.
2645 Faulkner Springs Road
McMinnville, TN 37110
931-668-4444
Web Site: www.falconrest.com
E-mail: falconrest@falconrest.com
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