The Grounds
Explore, Discover, Enjoy
Visit the Grounds to experience life as Eugenia Williams might have. The open Great Lawn welcomes you, and we hope you will experience the distinct landscapes that lie beyond it. You will find wild gardens and winding trails. Rugged stone walks and steep wooded paths lead to the Tennessee River. Experience varied horticultural displays throughout the seasons as you reconnect with nature. Parking is limited; please visit our calendar for additional information.
Experience the Natural Landscape
Eugenia Williams’s emphasis on native plants and a natural landscape aesthetic lives on. The property’s distinct landscapes include the Upland Glade, Lowland Meadow, Riverfront Grassland, Pasture, Ravine Garden, Wild Garden, and the Great Lawn—revitalized by Reed Hildebrand Landscape Architects and managed by our dedicated team.
Explore the diverse plant life and natural beauty along the many trails throughout the property. Please be aware that some trails feature steep drops, uneven terrain, and stairs – hike at your own risk.
Find Your Perfect Picnic Spot
The property offers visitors a communal gift of green space in a serene, historic setting. The Grounds of the Eugenia Williams House are open regularly from Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for picnics, walks, and quiet reflection. Parking is limited; please visit our calendar (coming soon) for additional information.
Discover a Landscape Rich with History
Eugenia Williams inherited her family’s agrarian estate in 1929, following the death of her father, Dr. David H. Williams. She reimagined her father’s crop fields, vineyard, and orchard into something closer to the English countryside: rolling hills over 24 acres. Learn more about how the historic landscape has changed over the years.
Take a Walk in the Woods
The Eugenia Williams House is an ArbNet accredited Level One arboretum. The Grounds feature an impressive array of native and specimen trees planted during the tenure of the Williams family (1916 – 1998) and more recent additions from the Aslan Foundation’s ongoing revitalization of the landscape (2020 – 2026). The community is invited to explore and appreciate over 70 species of trees and woody plants within 24 acres of gardens and rustic trails.
ArbNet was founded in 2011 by the Morton Arboretum in collaboration with the American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). ArbNet accredits arboreta and maintains a register of arboreta around the world. The Eugenia Williams House is grateful to the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and Trees Knoxville for their support in earning arboretum status.
Highlights
Wild Garden
The Stable
Riverfront Grassland