Short Stamp Trip

I collect Nastional Park Passport Stamps as well as some similar stamps issued by the Tennessee Historical Commission several years ago.  I’ve literally ridden a motorcycle all over the United States to collect these silly ink blots, so it should be no surprise that I decided a trip around the local area to try and pick up a few was in order.

Carter House – Franklin, TN – July 26, 2008

I decided to head out this morning and pick up a few Tennessee Historical Commission stamps for my collection at the Carter House, James K. Polk Home, Carnton Plantation, and the Athanaeum Rectory.  They were all close by in Franklin, Columbia, and Hohenwald, TN.  It rained overnight and as I headed south the clouds really started to build up in the southwest.  I decided the smart thing to do was to skip the Hohenwald stamp since that was the direction the heaviest cloud cover was located in.

My first stop was the Carter House in Franklin, TN (GPS coordiantes: N35.91741 W86.87319).  It is a “A non-profit museum and interpretive center for The Battle of Franklin” and is a beautiful example of antebellum architecture.  There were lots of Civil War relics inside but unfortunately photography inside the building was not allowed.


Carter House – Franklin, TN
Carter House – Franklin, TN		  

Carnton Plantation – Franklin, TN – July 26, 2008

From the Carter House I headed to the Carnton Plantation (GPS coordinates: N35.90656 W86.86375), also in Franklin, TN.  I didn’t get a stamp there, it has been misplaced, but I did take a photograph of the home.

Both the Carter House and the Carnton Plantation charge a fee to view the facility so I decided not to visit the sites any further.  It’s understandable since they probably don’t get much in the way of state funds, and I’d be willing to bet they get zero funds from the federal government.


Carnton Plantation – Franklin, TN		    

James K. Polk Home – Columbia, TN – July 26, 2008

I then headed a bit further south to Columbia, TN.  My first stop there was the ancestral home of President James K. Polk (GPS coordinates: N35.61500 W87.03720).  I did get my stamp at this site.  As with the previous two sites a fee was required to tour the facility so I decided to be on my way.


James K. Polk Home – Columbia, TN
James K. Polk Home – Columbia, TN		  

The Athanaeum Rectory – Columbia, TN – July 26, 2008

The next site was a long haul from the James K. Polk home, about 1/2 mile by GPS!  It is called The Athenaeum Rectory (GPS coordiantes: N35.61431 W87.04082).  It was a former Girl’s School from 1852 to 1904.  It is a really interesting looking structure with very unique architecture.  They were preparing for their Bicentennial Celebration so I got my stamp and got out of their way.  Tony, thanks for the help finding the stamp!  I really appreciate it.


The Athenaeum Rectory – Columbia, TN
The Athenaeum Rectory – Columbia, TN