Rock Castle Historic Site Gears Up for Grand Reopening and America's 250th Celebration

After a comprehensive renovation, Rock Castle Historic Site in Hendersonville, TN, is set to reopen in late March 2026, aligning with the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.

 

In 2019, the Tennessee Historical Commission, with support from state representatives, secured funding for significant enhancements at Rock Castle. The project, which began in August 2024, includes a new visitor center featuring museum exhibits, office spaces, conference rooms, and a spacious indoor event area.

 

Executive Director Sam Gilbert expressed enthusiasm about the reopening: "The celebration of America's 250th coincides with the grand re-opening of the re-imagined Rock Castle State Historic Site, so we will be celebrating big this year."

 

The 2026 event calendar boasts new additions such as POE-etic History around Halloween, a Jane Austen Christmas, a Little Women Christmas, candlelight tours, and a revamped Merry Castle Christmas. Special programs have been curated to honor America's 250th anniversary.

 

As part of the commemoration, Rock Castle will introduce a yearlong heritage skills program aimed at preserving traditional crafts like spinning, weaving, blacksmithing, gardening, and food preserving. Gilbert emphasized the importance of these skills: "We are hoping that those who participate will join an ongoing apprenticeship program, hosted by Rock Castle, that will ensure these valuable skills continue to be passed down to the generations to come, and not lost to time."

 

Educational offerings will expand to include seasonal tours, special exhibits, enhanced field trip options, and homeschool programming. Notably, the Rock Castle Living History Days will extend to a three-day event, incorporating a public day to revive the beloved Daniel Smith Days experience.

 

Reflecting on the site's rich history, Gilbert noted: "Rock Castle's story includes the indigenous tribes who lived and hunted on the land before the Smiths arrived; the Smith men who served as political figures and wartime leaders through every war and major event of early U.S. history; brothers who fought on opposing sides of the Civil War; the enslaved men, women, and children who built the home and its industry for 80 years before emancipation; and the women who braved the unknown frontier to build a home for their family, and labored to preserve its story – the nation's story – for generations to come."

 

As America marks its 250th anniversary, Rock Castle's reopening offers a unique opportunity to experience and honor the diverse tapestry of the nation's history.