Historic Brown Chenault House

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The Brown-Chenault House is an historic two-story frame and log residence located on Chenault Lane in Castalian Springs, Tennessee. Originally constructed ca. 1835 in the "I" House style, it featured two rooms on the main level with a central staircase in the middle and an identical layout above with a symmetrical front elevation. This was a popular style found throughout colonial America although the term was coined for its frequent presence in "I" states (Illinois, Indiana, etc.) It also forms a capital "I" shape when viewed from the front accounting for the central two-story corridor and flanking rooms on each side. The original structure is log with large limestone chimneys and has retained much of its original details including staircases, mantels, exterior and interior doors, railings, locks, and doorknobs. A kitchen was added ca. 1850 to the back left side of the home, and a two-story addition was completed ca. 1885 connecting the house and kitchen. One last addition was completed in 2008 with a modern kitchen, laundry room, and pantry.

An extensive history of ownership for the property dates back to one of Sumner County's earliest settlers, Anthony Bledsoe, in the 1780s. When the home was first built in 1835, it was part of a 200 acre parcel owned by George T. Brown. Brown and his family lived and farmed here until he sold the property to David Chenault in 1850. The Chenault family was extremely prominent in the area at the time and eventually acquired 2,500 acres of neighboring farms. The home and property continued to be owned by the Chenault family for many years, slowly being parceled off, until the home was finally sold outside the family in 1983.

The Brown-Chenault Home was nominated and accepted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.