Today is a great day to learn about animals and experience a little bit of Nashville history

I’m really looking forward to our playgroup’s upcoming trip to the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. I remember when I first moved to this area, long before I had kids, the first Nashville Zoo was located out in Joelton. From talking with my friends who had kids at the time, it was a really long drive and they longed for something closer to town that their families could enjoy on a more regular basis. I guess the zoo planning people listened, and in a joint venture between the Children’s Museum, the Historical Society and the Zoo in 1996, the zoo was relocated to the Grassmere property just minutes from downtown.

I wanted to do a little research about Grassmere, and what I found out is quite fascinating. The historic home on the property was built in 1810, making it the second oldest home in Davidson County that is open to the public. In 1846 the home was purchased by the Shute family and the new owners, William and Lavinia renovated it after the Civil War. It was a working farm during the 1800s, with cattle, swine, wheat, corn, hay, vegetables and fruit trees. One of William and Lavinia’s four adult daughters eventually married at Grassmere and had two daughters of her own. Kate and William Croft eventually moved with their children to Cuba, but the two girls, Margaret and Elise spent summers at Grassmere with their parents and eventually returned there permanently in 1931. They both remained in the family home until their deaths in 1974 and 1985. In 1964 they made an agreement with the Children’s Museum to take over the property, and that paved the way for relocation of the zoo to Grassmere in 1996. I am really excited about touring the historic home and grounds as a part of our zoo day.

My kids and their playgroup friends can’t wait to see the new DinoTrek exhibit. It’s an extra $3 with the zoo ticket. If the kids really enjoy the zoo, I’m thinking about buying a tax-deductible membership for our family. It’s really the most economic way to enjoy the zoo all year. We’re planning on packing a picnic lunch, but I’m bringing some extra money for ice cream later in the day. I hear there’s an amazing Jungle Gym in the middle of the park with all kinds of places to jump, swing and explore, so I’m sure that be a great place for my friends and I to rest while the kids get out their energy. We’ll probably save the carousel ride for the last treat of the day before heading home.

So, I’m including a refillable water bottle for each of us, a few snacks for the morning before lunch, sunscreen, bug repellent, hand sanitizer and some Band-Aids in my supplies. I’ve learned never to leave home without them! It should be a great day to learn about animals and experience a little bit of Nashville history at the same time.