"Free Day In May" was celebrated Saturday at Oaklands Mansion at 900 Maney Avenue. The historic Murfreesboro plantation home had Civil War re-enactors, a button show, food trucks, youngsters played 1800's games and had an opportunity to dress in clothing of that era, along with tour the home and gardens--all for free.

In addition, there was a vintage baseball game at 2:00 o'clock that afternoon, and Oakland's Mary Beth Nevills threw out the first ball.

How It All Began

Dr. James Maney and his wife Sallie Hardy Murfree began their plantation with the construction of a modest two-room cabin, circa 1818. By 1860, their home had been drastically enlarged and was the center of a nearly 1,500-acre plantation, and one of the most elegant mansions in Tennessee. After the Maneys sold Oaklands in 1884, it passed through a succession of owners. When the last resident left in 1954, the mansion sat vacant and vandalized for five years before being scheduled for demolition. Fortunately, a group of concerned local women mobilized to save the mansion and formed Oaklands Association, a non-profit educational organization, in 1959. The mansion was opened to the public within a year.

Step Into The Past

Those who attended "Free Day In May" were able to step into the past and experience civilian demonstrations on the grounds from the 19^th Alabama Civilian Civil War Reenactors. They tell the story of what civilians traveling with occupation forces would have been doing in and around our town during the Civil War.

In Maney Hall, the Tennessee State Button Society will display their collections of vintage buttons of all varieties. Guests experienced period games on the lawn, children's dress-up, nature walks to the spring, visit the heritage vegetable garden and tour the mansion for FREE.

As the Saturday sun reached its peak, crowds gathered at the ballpark next to the mansion to cheer on the vintage baseball game provided by members of the Tennessee Association of Vintage Baseball.

For more information about Oaklands Mansion, visit their website: www.OaklandsMansion.org