Step Into History at Carnton | Tamera Alexander

Carnton—the historic Franklin, TN estate at the heart of Tamera Alexander's Carnton novels

Carnton then . . . and now

Then . . .

Front view of Carnton circa 1900. — Front view of Carnton circa 1900

Carnton circa 1870s, showing the back of the house. — Carnton circa 1870s—view of the back of the house. Images courtesy of the Battle of Franklin Trust.

. . . and Now

Current day Carnton front view in Franklin, Tennessee. — Current day Carnton—front view

Current day Carnton back view with white fencing and garden plantings. — Current day Carnton—back view

Carnton today in Franklin, Tennessee, in a misty landscape. — Carnton today in Franklin, Tennessee—the setting of Tamera's Carnton Novels

The Confederate cemetery at Carnton looking toward the house. — The Confederate cemetery at Carnton, looking toward the house

Welcome to Carnton

A Note from Tamera

When I first visited Carnton in Franklin—a suburb 20 minutes south of Nashville—many years ago, I knew I wanted to incorporate the stories of the people who had lived and worked at Carnton and who fought in the Civil War at the Battle of Franklin—both the Union and Confederate Armies. These amazing real men and women—including the men, women, and children who were enslaved at Carnton—shaped their war-torn country in lasting and powerful ways.

If you ever get to Nashville, please set aside time to visit Carnton, an important site rich in American history with issues still so pertinent in today's culture. Let's learn from history, not cover it up or try to hide from it. God is a redeemer and a restorer, and the ground at the foot of the cross is level. Only through Christ will we all be truly reconciled.

The McGavock Family

Portrait of John McGavock around the age he married Carrie Winder. — John McGavock—around the age he married Carrie Winder

Portrait of Carrie Winder McGavock at age 18. — Carrie Winder McGavock at age 18, when she married John

Historic photograph of Winder and Hattie McGavock circa 1864. — Winder (pronounced like 'winding a clock') and his older sister Hattie, circa 1864—the ages they were during the Battle of Franklin. Note: the blurriness is a condition of the original photograph.

Telling Everyone's Story at Carnton

Monument honoring the enslaved at Carnton in the McGavock Family Cemetery. — “We have for so many years not told the full story," said Alma McLemore, President of the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County. Amen and amen.—Tamera [Click to read the full article]

The stories of the men, women, and children who were enslaved at Carnton are woven throughout Tamera's Carnton Novels—because their lives and their courage matter, and deserve to be remembered.

Battle of Franklin Trust visit image for Carnton. — Learn more about Carnton and plan your visit—Battle of Franklin Trust

Want to see additional photographs of the real people and places from select Carnton Novels? Visit the Truth or Fiction pages—but be forewarned, there are spoilers!

To learn more about this hallowed Franklin, Tennessee landmark—and to plan your own visit—explore the official Carnton website.

Images courtesy of the Battle of Franklin Trust

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Tamera Alexander

Step Into Carnton