Cheekwood is inviting guests to experience five popular childhood classic stories reimagined as playhouses in its gardens.
Nathan Zucker
Visitors of all ages will enjoy Storybook Houses, featuring whimsical playhouses inspired by beloved illustrators including “Oh, The Places You’ll Play” inspired by Dr. Seuss, “Hill Top Garden” inspired by Beatrix Potter, “Charlotte’s Barn” inspired by Garth Williams, “We Are Wild” inspired by Maurice Sendak, and “TRAINS!” inspired by Loren Long.
Nathan Zucker
The houses were brought to life through a collaborative effort of talented local architecture and building firms including Design Contractors, Inc., T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc., Hastings Architecture, Pfeffer Torode Architecture, Tuck Hinton Architecture and Design, and The Wills Company.
Nathan Zucker
Students from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology were recruited to assist The Wills Company on their endeavor of creating “Charlotte’s Barn” (inspired by Charlotte’s Web author and illustrator E.B. White).
It took a crew of more than 50 architects, engineers and builders, three months from concept to reality, and only 25 days on site to fully build the playhouses from the ground up.
Nathan Zucker
On view from May 1 – September 1, 2019, kids are invited to “step into the story” as they interact with each of the playhouses’ signature elements, while adults can enjoy the craftsmanship and photo opportunities tied to stories they may have loved as kids themselves.