Cheekwood Mansion: A Nashville Gem
The Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville is a beautiful sanctuary and celebration of nature. It offers a lovely respite from the busy and popular music city.
One of Nashville’s most prominent families, the Cheeks, used to call this mansion home.
Family Gathering 40” x 40”. oil on linen Artist: Pauline Palmer
Christopher "C.T." Cheek, a Nashville resident in the 1880s, owned a prosperous wholesale grocery business.
His son, Leslie Cheek, married to Mabel Wood joined the family enterprise in 1896.
Leslie jr and Huldah Cheek. Children of Leslie and Mabel Artist: Willie Betty Newman. 54” x 44”
The Cheek’s owned a prosperous family's grocery business.
Joel Cheek, a cousin who moved to Nashville in 1884. was involved with the development of Maxwell House coffee.
Both C.T. and Leslie invested in their cousin's venture, a decision that proved immensely profitable.
In 1928, the Postum Company (later renamed General Foods) acquired Cheek-Neal Coffee Company for a staggering $45 million, propelling Leslie into great wealth.
Mabel's affinity for large, opulent furnishings led to the need for a bigger house that could accommodate an oversized gilt mirror.
In 1931, Leslie enlisted New York architect Bryant Fleming to construct a grand Georgian-style mansion on the 100 acres of land he purchased west of Nashville, abutting Percy Warner Park.
Drawing inspiration from English manors and gardens, the limestone residence and boxwood gardens were meticulously planned on 55 acres.
The mansion, at 30,000 sq. ft, boasts 36 rooms, including eleven bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, two elevators, a hidden staircase, and a library housing Leslie's extensive collection of over two thousand books.
Merging their family name with Mabel's maiden name, the estate was officially named Cheekwood.
Leslie Cheek died two years after Cheekwood was finished. His wife Mabel passed away in 1946.
Leslie Jr. and his wife relocated to Virginia where he took a job to be director of the now very prestigious Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Cheek moved to Richmond in July 1948. This museum is where Paul Mellon’s fabulous collection resides.
Leslie Cheek’s daughter Huldah and her family continued to reside at Cheekwood until 1957 when they proposed transforming the estate into a botanical garden and art museum.
Multiple organizations joined forces, and after extensive work, fundraising, and redevelopment, the Cheekwood museum opened its doors in 1960.
My mother grew up in nearby Belle Meade, a neighborhood just minutes from the Cheekwood grounds. Her sister, and my aunt, Liz Bass was on the board of Cheekwood and got immense fulfillment and joy from her dedication to the gardens.
Today Cheekwood opens it doors for events and holidays all throughout the year.
For Cheekwood in Bloom, they plant thousands of tulip bulbs in order to have a spectacular display in the spring. It’s quite an impressive site to see.
Cheekwood Harvest is a must see fall event in October. In 2022 the children of Nashville were ecstatic to play and frolic within whimsical houses made of giant pumpkins. .
The Chihuly exhibit was a smash hit. The display of the colorful equisite and delicate looking glass works of art was extremely popular as people from all over the southeast travelled to Cheekwood to enjoy the art in the gardens.
Cheekwood’s fundraiser The Swan Ball just celebrated their 61st year in June. Continuing its long legacy as one of the country’s most prestigious, white-tie charity events, it benefits the beautiful botanical gardens and arts treasure.
The movers and shakers, the elite of Nashville turn out in their finest haute couture to attend, dancing and drinking till the wee hours of the night.
Entertainment has included Johnny Cash, Minnie Pearl and other great musical talents from the music city.
The museum has quite an impressive permanent collection.
Regatta. William Glackens
The Nomads. Edgar Payne. 25” x 30”. Oil on linen
Some of the masterpieces on display include a large collection of William Edmondson sculptures, portraits of Andy Warhol and Jamie Wyeth as well as pieces by impressionist Childe Hassam.
Works by John White Alexander, William Merritt Chase, and The Eight, an early twentieth-century artist collective in New York City.
Childe Hassam
Cheekwood offers rentals for weddings and corporate events. .
The European fountain purchased from Italy stands sentinel over the reflecting pool. For the Swan ball, live swans can be swimming elegantly along in the evening night air amounts the lights strung in the gardens.
Fodors has recognized Cheekwood as one of the 12 most beautiful botanical gardens in the United States.
https//Cheekwood.org