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No matter the season or occasion, Nashvillians and visitors from around the world flock to one of the finest American Country Place Era estates in the country, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.
Though most are familiar with Cheekwood’s unparalleled beauty, not everyone knows the story behind it. This spring, in a milestone debut, Cheekwood will publish its first comprehensive book exploring its historic origins and how the estate has evolved into the beloved destination it is today.The 128-page hardcover book, aptly titled Cheekwood, is gorgeously illustrated with 135 photographs throughout its four chapters, providing readers with stunning visuals to accompany its fascinating story. Coauthored by Leslie B. Jones, Cheekwood’s former Vice President of Museum Affairs and Curator of Decorative Arts, and Shanna T. Jones, Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, with forewords by President of the Cultural Landscape Foundation Charles Birnbaum, and acclaimed local historian Ridley Wills, the book offers an unprecedented glimpse into Cheekwood’s storied past.
Cheekwood showcases a glimpse into the family home of Leslie Cheek and his wife Mabel Wood, who were investors in the family Maxwell House Coffee business, and goes on to explore the creation of the extraordinary historic estate designed by Bryant Fleming in the 1930s with its Georgian-revival mansion, formal gardens and expansive viewsheds and vistas. As visitors are well aware, there is much to explore at Cheekwood today. Since it opened to visitors in 1960, Cheekwood has transformed into a botanical garden showcasing twelve distinct gardens and a one-and-a-half-mile woodland trail featuring modern and contemporary outdoor sculptures. In addition, Cheekwood also serves as an arboretum, and as a collecting museum with historic rooms and art galleries featuring 7,000 works in its permanent collection. As a year-round destination for seasonal festivals and world-class exhibitions of outdoor sculptures and works of art, this book highlights the significance of Cheekwood’s status today in tandem with the impact of its historical roots.
“We are thrilled to offer this milestone publication, highlighting the institution’s place as one of the finest remaining American Country Place Era estates in the nation,” says Jane O. MacLeod, President and CEO of Cheekwood. “We hope that this special publication will offer new insight about the history and significance of Cheekwood, providing both a memento and a greater appreciation for our beloved institution.”
From its historic beginnings as a family home to the extraordinary fifty-five-acre estate it is today, Cheekwood draws visitors of all walks of life to its breathtaking grounds year in and year out. And now with Cheekwood, lovers of garden, art, architecture and history can unravel the rich history and evolution of one of Nashville’s most treasured destinations for years to come. (cheekwood.org)