If you’ve spent any time in Franklin, you’ve probably taken a stroll through the beautiful fields of the Park at Harlinsdale Farm, admired its white fences and historic barns, and maybe even watched a few horses trot by on one of the park’s equestrian trails. You might also have noticed the Hayes House, an idyllic Victorian farmhouse surrounded by shade trees. Built in 1899, the house has been empty and in decline for years – but now, thanks to the non-profit group, Friends of Franklin Parks, the home has been carefully renovated and restored. It’s open to the public for tours and special events – and let me tell you, this place has a fascinating story to tell!
Built by flour mill magnate Joshua Bates Lillie (the man behind the “Franklin Lady” flour that was once a bestseller across the country), the home was originally constructed after fire destroyed a previous farmhouse on the property. It was the last project Lillie oversaw before his death, and it’s nothing short of extraordinary that it still stands today.
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In the 1930s, the farm was purchased by the Harlin brothers, Wirt and Alex, who planned to use the land to breed Tennessee Walking Horses. They called in their 25-year-old nephew, Harlin Hayes, for help, and offered him the keys to the house to sweeten the deal. From that point on, the home became known as the Hayes House.
Harlin moved in with his wife, Maurie, and daughter, Mary Etta, in 1936. Over the next few decades, the Hayes family thrived in this home and played supporting roles in the care of two-time World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse Midnight Sun. Together, they helped make Harlinsdale Farm legendary in the Tennessee Walking Horse world.
While Harlin Hayes worked with the horses, Maurie cooked up lunches in the farmhouse kitchen for the entire Harlinsdale staff. Everyone—from the trainers to the stable hands—ate the same homemade Southern meals around the same kitchen table. The kitchen itself has now been lovingly restored to look just like it did in the 1950s, including a recreation of the exact linoleum floor that was uncovered during renovations.
By the 1990s, the original Hayes family had either died or moved on, and the Hayes House took on yet another life as an art studio. Led by Barbara Harlin, a group of local artists known as the JGP Artists turned the rooms into bright, pastel-filled galleries, where they showcased their still lifes, landscapes, and—of course—horses. For nearly two decades, the JPG Artists held art shows and community events in the home.
In 2005, the Harlin family sold the home and surrounding property to the City of Franklin to be used as a passive park. After that, the home remained empty and mostly untouched – until the Friends of Franklin Parks helped restore the house’s interior and opened it to the public as a museum and event space. Inside, you’ll find airy, light-filled rooms carefully curated to reflect the home’s heyday between the 1930s and 1950s – Each room contains surprises like original wood floors and furniture, family memorabilia, vintage wallpaper, and dozens of stories just waiting to be discovered. In honor of the home’s history, one room has been transformed into an art gallery. Outside, the adjacent lawn is quickly becoming a popular place for community events, weddings, and fundraisers.
The Hayes House is open to the public for free tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 – 2 p.m. It’s also available for special events. Check out the Hayes House website for more information on tours and rentals, as well as a detailed history of the Hayes and Harlin families.
