Rattle and Snap Plantation

Overview

Rattle and Snap Plantation has been referred to as "magnificent," the "most monumental house in Tennessee" and as "one of the best examples of Greek Revival residential architecture in the country." Rattle and Snap was built for George Polk, a son of William Polk, a North Carolinian who was appointed surveyor-general of the Middle District of Tennessee in 1784. Through land speculation, William became one of the largest landholders in Tennessee. The tract on which the house stands amounted originally to 5648 acres. William named the property "Rattle and Snap" after having won the land from the governor of North Carolina in a game of "rattle and snap." This game of chance is said to have been played with beans. Four of Polk's sons built substantial homes on the original tract. George kept the original name for his portion of the land. Where the 4 Polk son's properties joined, the brothers built St. John's Episcopal Church. Tours by reservation only. Call to reserve your tour today. GUIDED GROUP TOURS: $20.00 per person up to 9 people. (4 person minimum) $15 per person for ten people or more. You can call in advance to see if you can join another tour if your party has fewer than 4 Credit Cards NOT accepted, cash or check only Requires a full payment deposit by check or money order. Reservations will be held for 5 days, providing time for deposits to be mailed. SPECIAL PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE: The Champagne Tour and The Boutique Tour In addition to the regular tour of the mansion and gardens, our special guests will wind their way up the main, curved, floating staircase to the second floor. Guests will discover the private rooms & ballroom of George & Sallie Polk & their children. Rattle & Snap is tastefully appointed throughout with the finest period antiques, paintings & furnishings. Visitors will then descend the middle staircase & enter into the present owners living areas & see the private sitting room, kitchen & dinning room. The Boutique Tour will end with light refreshments & a beverage on the outside veranda. Cost is $210 and can accommodate up to six people. The Exclusive Champagne Tour will close on the veranda with light refreshments, a champagne toast & a special surprise. Cost is $300 and can accommodate up to six people. Note: Both The Boutique Tour & The Exclusive Champagne Tour are approximately 2-2 1/2 hours long. There are many steep steps to climb. These tours are for our guests who have no difficulty walking, climbing steep stairs & standing for lengths of time.