Coming in Early 2026
Over the past half-century, few people have been inside the gates of 4848 Lyons View Pike. In 2026 a new era begins at the Eugenia Williams House. The Aslan Foundation looks forward to opening this architectural treasure and its 24 acres of gardens and trails to the public.
Balancing preservation and public access is a priority at the Eugenia Williams House. While the park-like grounds will be open regularly, the house will be open only for scheduled tours and events.
Established 1941
Completed in 1941, the Eugenia Williams House was built on 24 acres overlooking the Tennessee River. Noted Houston architect John Fanz Staub designed the home for Ms. Williams. Staub was a Knoxville native and a childhood acquaintance of hers. He is best known for his design of Bayou Bend, now part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
The Regency Revival style of the Eugenia Williams House is characterized by balconies, ornate ironwork, large garden windows, and classical Greek design elements. The grounds feature vast expanses of lawn, original evergreen plantings, and narrow paths down to the river. The Tudor Revival style stable on the grounds was built in 1939.
Eugenia Williams died in 1998 at the age of 98. She left the house and grounds to the University of Tennessee in memory of her father, David H. Williams. He was a local doctor who gained fortune in the early days of Coca-Cola bottling. The Aslan Foundation purchased the property in 2020 to restore this significant architectural site and make it accessible to the public.
Opening in 2026
The Eugenia Williams House will be open through trails on the property and cultural programming in the building. While visiting the grounds, guests will walk through distinct landscapes, including the Upland Glade, Lowland Meadow, Riverfront Grassland, Pasture, Ravine Garden, Wild Garden, and the Great Lawn.
When visiting the John Fanz Staub-designed house, guests will engage in programming including tours, lectures, small exhibitions, and intimate performances. Partners include the Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Opera, Knoxville Garden Club, Big Ears Festival, Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Knox Heritage, East Tennessee Historical Society, and Knoxville History Project.
Please check back here or follow us on social media to learn more about our opening timeline.
