The Mabry-Hazen House is an Italianate mansion completed by 1858 atop Mabry’s Hill in East Knoxville, overlooking downtown, the Tennessee River, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Three generations of one family lived here from 1858 to 1987, and visitors come for the unusually intimate record of Knoxville life they left behind (source: Mabry-Hazen House).
Guided tours move through rooms furnished in the styles of several decades. More than 2,000 original artifacts are on display, one of the largest original family collections in America (source: Visit Knoxville). Guides explain how both Confederate and Union forces occupied the house during the Civil War (source: Findglocal). They also cover the family’s history, including Joseph Mabry’s death in an 1882 Gay Street gunfight and Evelyn Hazen’s widely publicized 1930s breach-of-promise lawsuit. The museum also operates nearby Bethel Cemetery, a Civil War burial ground.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Weekday mornings are usually the quietest times to visit. October brings more visitors, drawn by the autumn views and seasonal programs. Hours and tour times can change, so confirm them before you go at (865) 522-8661 or mabryhazen.com. To see several historic homes, buy a PastPort, which covers sites including Blount Mansion, James White’s Fort, and Historic Ramsey House (source: Historic House Museums of Knoxville). The house is a short drive from downtown, and parking is available on site.
