Historic Real Estate: Brentwood’s Ravenswood Mansion Secures Repair Permission

Brentwood's historic building, Ravenswood Mansion, will have its kitchen building and roof repaired following the approval of the City Commission.

According to Brentwood Home Page, the City on Monday greenlighted the replacements and improvements agreement with Centric Architecture for the 191-year-old mansion. Beginning on July 5, the Nashville-based firm will replace the roofing of the main building, estimated to be worth $34,500. The repair will also include replacement of the roof of the detached kitchen.

As part of the improvement works, which is expected to be completed by Sept. 24, asbestos tile and interior plaster and lead-based paint will be removed. There will also be some minor electrical work and repointing of mortar joints.

Ravenswood Mansion was built in 1825 and after a long history of passing the ownership from generation to generation, it came into possession of Reese and Marcella Vivrette Smith Jr. in 1965. After their death, their sons have taken care of the historic home and in 2006, Smith brothers worked with the City Commission for the potential selling and preservation of the property.

The Commission purchased the mansion in November 2010 along with 320 acres of land and established the Marcella Vivrette Smith Park. This is in honor of the Smith matriarch, the mansion's history and value in the community.

The mansion, which was renovated in 2013, has been in the National Register of Historic Places since 1983.

Located at 1825 Wilson Pike in Brentwood, the brick house is currently used as weddings and events venue. It can accommodate 75-100 guests for a seated dinner and up to 200 pax for a standing reception. The rent during weekdays are $500 and $1,500, and $3,000 on weekends, inclusive of the house use and the surrounding grounds.

While the repairs and improvement works are ongoing, no events will be scheduled in Ravenswood Mansion.