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This exhibit is open and free for any ticket holder to view.
The Journey to Jubilee Cabin, though not original to Belle Meade, dates to the 1830s and represents the type of structure that would have stood on the property during this period. By 1860, 136 men, women, and children were enslaved at Belle Meade, and cabins similar to this one would have served as living spaces for those whose labor was essential to the property’s operation.
Inside, the exhibit centers the lives and experiences of the individuals who were enslaved at Belle Meade. A display of known names reflects years of research using primary and secondary sources, helping restore individual identities to people who were too often reduced to numbers in the historical record.
Visitors can also hear from Emma Bragg, a descendant of Susannah Carter, through a recorded interview that shares family history and perspectives passed down through generations. An interactive display featuring primary source documents allows visitors to engage directly with the historical record and explore the evidence that continues to inform our understanding of the people who lived and worked at Belle Meade.
Through continued research, descendant perspectives, and historical documentation, the Journey to Jubilee Cabin provides a space to remember these individuals by name, reflect on their experiences, and recognize their lasting place in Belle Meade’s history.