Rock Castle reflects in its furnishings a simple lifestyle of culture and good taste. The furniture and many accessories are late eighteenth-century antiques typical of the furnishings Daniel and Sarah owned.

Three original pieces; a blanket chest, a desk, and a sugar chest belonged to the Smiths. They are in the refined, Hepplewhite style. A recent discovery on the property, an earthenware shard of 1780s style green flame edged creamware, has led to the addition of a new place setting at the dining room table. The family Bible, private letters, and Daniel Smith’s library of over two hundred books are in the collection and have proved valuable for research on the life and character of Daniel and Sarah Smith.

The Details

Of special significance are the floor-to-ceiling, black walnut cupboards built into the fireplace walls in several of the rooms, a rarity for Tennessee homes of this early period. Along with the fine jonery work throughout the house, they show the skilled craftsmanship of Smith’s nephews, Smith and Peter Hansborough.