Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, just a few hundred yards from Old Hickory Lake, lies one of the best kept secrets in Hendersonville – historic Spring Haven Mansion. Steeped in history and charm, the gorgeous two-story home sits on just over 3 acres of tree-enshrouded grounds. Along with the mansion, the property also includes a cabin, a natural spring house and a large barn.
Spring Haven Mansion was constructed in the early 1800s by Polly Wagnon and her husband, John, who was a close friend and personal physician of Andrew Jackson. Jackson was a frequent visitor to the property, and the subsequent construction of his home, the Hermitage, reflected many of the design elements of Spring Haven.
Today, along with its historic significance, Spring Haven is rapidly becoming one of the area’s premier event venues and romantic getaway destinations. Owners Tammie and Danny Sutherland purchased the property in 2018, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“We had always dreamed of owning a bed-and-breakfast, and when Spring Haven went up for sale, we jumped at the opportunity,” says Tammie.
Technically, Spring Haven’s overnight guest facilities are strictly lodging, in that breakfast is not served on-site. However, that difference does not seem to bother guests.
“Although we don’t do the breakfast part, we are centrally located so that we are no more than a couple of miles from all of the major dining locations in Hendersonville and Gallatin,” says Tammie. “We regularly refer our clients to local eateries, including Café 393, Red Rooster and Myers Front Porch.
Spring Haven’s lodging capability makes it the only historical event venue in Hendersonville where clients can have their events and stay overnight on the grounds.
“We can sleep nine on the property – six in the historic cabin and three more in the mansion suite,” says Tammie. “Sleeping outside is also a possibility. We have a bride in an upcoming wedding who wants to glamp in an elegant tent outside near the barn with a bridal party of 20.”
Coming from corporate backgrounds, neither Tammie nor Danny had ever managed an event venue. However, they were undeterred.
“We decided to jump into the deep end, feet first and start swimming,” says Tammy. “We knew that we were making an enormous leap of faith in buying the property, but we always believed that it was the right thing to do, and that Spring Haven would work out fine for us."
Today, Tammie and Danny are working hard to make Spring Haven the place to go for all types of events.
“We can handle all sorts of inside and outside occasions, including meetings, dinners, showers, birthday/anniversary parties, weddings and family gatherings,” says Tammie. “We are set up to take care of most any kind of corporate or social gathering.”
In previous years, other owners hosted similar types of events at Spring Haven. However, the Sutherlands want to take the guest experience up a notch.
“Lots of great occasions have been hosted here before, but I want to bring a new level of elegance going forward,” says Tammie. “I want our clients to think style and class when they are considering Spring Haven for their venue.”
Early on, the Sutherlands decided to take a “slow walk” approach toward marketing in order to make sure that they had the right combination of offerings and pricing.
“Promotion was not a high priority at first,” says Danny. “We were new to the business, and we wanted to make sure that we were ready to handle the business once we turned up the marketing intensity.”
However, the Sutherlands plan on expanding their marketing efforts during 2020, taking a regional, as opposed to local approach.
“We are less than 25 miles from the downtown Nashville Riverfront, one of the hottest destinations in the country,” says Tammie. “We want to let out-of-town brides know that they can come and revel in the “It” city, but still have their wedding and reception at Spring Haven.
Like most venues, weddings and engagements are very important elements of business for Spring Haven. Currently, Spring Haven offers three different wedding packages, including the Heritage, the Circa 1825 and the Magnolia Luxe. Each of these offerings is highly customizable, allowing Spring Haven to meet the needs of most bridal parties. Package prices start at $12,500 and up, depending upon selected options.
Event scheduling for Spring Haven can be made through inquiries at the venue website or by phone. Overnight getaways can be booked online at either VRBO or AIRBNB.
Despite the stress of managing a growing business, the Sutherlands take it all in stride.
“Owning and managing Spring Haven is a dream,” says Tammie with a smile. “In my heart, I am just a farm girl who gets to throw fancy parties.”
Fully Equipped Kitchens for Guests
Both the mansion and the cabin feature small, fully-equipped kitchens that are available for overnight guests. For those not wanting to prepare their own meals, Spring Haven is located within a few minutes of dozens of Hendersonville and Gallatin restaurants.
Guest Quarters Feature Sitting Areas with Fireplaces
Guest quarters are equipped with fireplaces and cozy sitting areas that are perfect for romantic getaways. Featuring rustic decorations that reflect the property’s history, the rooms are also equipped with modern conveniences that will make every guest feel at home.
The Mansion's Dining Room
The mansion features an elegant dining room that is perfect for hosting upscale parties and events. Fine place settings, serving dishes and utensils are available to put a special touch on any dining occasion.
Spring Haven's Covered Patio and Grounds Are Perfect for Large Events
Spring Haven features a large covered patio that is ideal for outside events. Along with the patio, tents can also be set up to provide additional covered space for larger numbers of guests.