Hayes House Museum and Event Venue Opens at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN
Located at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, Hayes House is a newly restored historic home that opens a window into the agricultural and equestrian heritage of Franklin, Tennessee. Originally built in 1899 by Joshua Bates Lillie, this Victorian farmhouse has witnessed the evolution of Harlinsdale Farm from a modest operation into a renowned center for Tennessee Walking Horse breeding.
Following a restoration led by Friends of Franklin Parks, Hayes House opened to the public on May 6, 2025. In addition to offering free tours that invite locals and visitors to step back in time, the home and surrounding grounds are now available for private rentals, providing a distinctive historic setting for gatherings and events.
Joshua Bates Lillie: The Man Who Built Hayes House
The story of Hayes House begins with Joshua Bates Lillie, a prominent businessman and civic leader who played a key role in Franklin’s post-Civil War recovery. In 1868, he founded the Lillie Mill Company, also known as the Franklin Flouring Mill, along the banks of the Harpeth River. As the first major industry to take root in Franklin after the war, the mill brought jobs, commerce, and much-needed stability to the area during a time of economic uncertainty. Its flagship product, “Franklin Lady” flour, earned national recognition and helped put Williamson County on the map as a hub for quality goods.
In 1899, Lillie built what is now known as Hayes House to replace a previous home lost to fire. With its Victorian architecture and thoughtful craftsmanship, the home reflected both the prosperity of its owner and the optimism of a town on the rise. It was the final residence Lillie commissioned before his death in 1908, and it remains a physical link to a man whose entrepreneurial spirit helped shape modern-day Franklin. Today, Hayes House stands not just as a beautiful structure but as a reminder of the resilience, growth, and vision that defined the region in the decades following the Civil War.
The Arrival of the Hayes Family: Shaping Harlinsdale’s Next Chapter
In the early 1930s, Wirt and Alex Harlin, successful businessmen with the Red Kap clothing company, purchased the land that would become Harlinsdale Farm. They soon invited their nephew, Harlin Hayes, to manage the farm’s growing Tennessee Walking Horse breeding program. Hayes, his wife Maurie, and their children, including their son Jim (born in the house in 1940), made Hayes House their home.
Under Harlin Hayes’ management, Harlinsdale thrived, becoming a renowned center for Tennessee Walking Horses. This success reached new heights with Midnight Sun, a legendary stallion who became a two-time World Grand Champion.
Jim Hayes, the Hayes family’s son, began his radio career as a teenager, broadcasting from his bedroom at Hayes House. Known as the “Father of Franklin Radio,” Jim’s passion for broadcasting led him to establish multiple radio stations across Middle Tennessee. His early experiences at Harlinsdale, surrounded by the farm’s activities, influenced his connection to the local community.
He also became an auctioneer for Harlinsdale’s horse sales and later played a role in launching the Pilgrimage Music and Arts Festival in 2015. One of the festival’s main sponsors was his former radio station, WIZO, now Lightning 100.01 FM. Jim passed away in 2019, but his impact on Franklin’s cultural landscape endures.
In the 1990s, Hayes House transformed into an art studio for the JGP Artists, led by Barbara Harlin. For nearly two decades, the house was a place of creativity, where artists captured the beauty of Harlinsdale in pastels, watercolors, and sketches. The annual Fine Art in the Barn exhibitions supported local causes, further connecting the house to the community.
Friends of Franklin Parks: Preserving History at Harlinsdale Farm
In 2005, the Harlin family sold Harlinsdale Farm to the City of Franklin with an agreement that the property would be preserved as a passive park. While the park officially opened to the public in 2007, Hayes House remained vacant and largely untouched, its future uncertain. Essential repairs, including roof, gutter, and porch maintenance, were funded by the City of Franklin and the State Historic Commission in 2012, but without additional funding, the house continued to decline.
Friends of Franklin Parks, a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 to enhance and preserve Franklin’s park system, stepped in to lead the full restoration. “We went through historic approvals at the state level, the city, permitting, and design—all very diligently,” explained Torrey Barnhill, Executive Director of Friends of Franklin Parks. “The goal was always to restore it back to the heyday of the farm and not necessarily the Victorian showhouse it was in 1899.”
The restoration process, which took nearly a year, was made possible by the organization’s annual fundraiser, Raise the Roofs. “Raise the Roofs was our annual fundraiser to start saving the buildings,” Barnhill shared. “It began 14 years ago and has been critical in preserving Hayes House and other structures.”
Beyond Hayes House, Friends of Franklin Parks continues to support Harlinsdale Farm. The organization is also overseeing the ongoing renovation of the historic Main Barn at Harlinsdale, which will soon serve as a multi-use space with equestrian stalls, educational exhibits, and event rentals. “The barn renovation is part of our ongoing efforts,” Barnhill explained. “We’re hoping to complete it by late summer, and it will be a space for learning about the history of the horses and more.”
Through their continued efforts, Friends of Franklin Parks ensures that Harlinsdale Farm remains a vibrant part of Franklin’s history, providing educational opportunities, preserving its agricultural legacy, and maintaining its historic charm.
Hayes House: A Walk Through Franklin’s History
Visitors touring Hayes House will find more than just a beautifully restored building—they’ll step into a timeline of Franklin’s agricultural, equestrian, and cultural development. Each room in the house has been thoughtfully curated with period-appropriate furnishings, archival materials, and personal mementos that bring the past to life.
One of the most evocative spaces is the kitchen, preserved to reflect its 1950s appearance. With vintage cabinetry, appliances, and fixtures, the room offers a window into mid-century life at Harlinsdale Farm, when the Hayes family and farm employees would gather for meals. A one-of-a-kind 1950s kitchen floor—recreated from vintage linoleum uncovered during renovation—adds to the authenticity.
“The finishes you see will be what was here when the Hayes lived here,” explained Torrey Barnhill, Executive Director of Friends of Franklin Parks. “You’ll see homage to that in the kitchen.”
Elsewhere in the house, a display highlights Jim Hayes and his pioneering role in Franklin’s broadcasting history. Visitors can view period radio equipment and memorabilia from his early days as a teen DJ, when he hosted programs from his own bedroom.
Another room celebrates the legacy of Midnight Sun, the Tennessee Walking Horse stallion who became a two-time World Grand Champion and helped put Harlinsdale Farm on the map. Photographs, trophies, and interpretive materials highlight the horse’s significance to the farm’s national reputation in the walking horse industry.
Throughout the home, guests will also find displays of family photographs and historical documents that illustrate the everyday lives of Harlin and Maurie Hayes and their children. The furnishings reflect both the practical function of a working farm home and the personal touches of a family deeply rooted in the land.
The restored rooms not only preserve the architectural character of the house but also tell the stories of the people who lived and worked there, offering an experience that connects visitors to Franklin’s heritage.
Hayes House as an Event Venue: Host Your Next Gathering
In addition to serving as a museum, Hayes House is available to rent for small events, meetings, and gatherings. The restored main floor offers a warm, historic setting with an indoor capacity of 90 and outdoor space accommodating up to 700 guests. For more information or to inquire about availability, email Kellie Baker at Friends of Franklin Parks.
Visit Hayes House: What You Need to Know
Whether you’re interested in architecture, agriculture, equestrian history, or local culture, a walk through Hayes House provides insight into a pivotal era in Williamson County’s development. Here are the details to help you plan your trip:
- Location: 331 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064. Enter through the north entrance of Harlinsdale Park, and continue past the dog park.
- Tour Days and Hours: Free tours every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 2 p.m.
- Parking: Free parking is available directly beside Hayes House.
- Accessibility: The main floor is accessible to visitors, while the upstairs serves as office space for Friends of Franklin Parks.
Hayes House Museum in Franklin, TN
While Franklin is widely known for its Civil War significance, Hayes House highlights another side of the city’s heritage: the legacy of farming, family, and horses that helped shape the region in the 20th century. Lovingly restored by Friends of Franklin Parks, this beautifully preserved property offers a glimpse into the past while serving as a resource for learning and cultural enrichment.
“It’s an opportunity for families, children, adults—everyone—to come learn about the agriculture, the history of the farm, and the story of Midnight Sun,” said Barnhill.
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, a tour of Hayes House offers a chance to experience history firsthand. With its blend of education, heritage, and community spirit, Hayes House stands as a testament to Franklin’s enduring connection to its agricultural roots.
Explore More of Franklin’s History, Culture, and Community
To explore more of Franklin’s cultural and historic offerings, check out Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2024: Your Complete Guide for details on the annual music festival held at Harlinsdale Farm. Learn more about the property itself in Get to Know Franklin, Tennessee’s Harlinsdale Farm, which offers background on the park’s evolution and its role in local heritage. For nearby shopping, dining, and creative spaces, see Discover the Charms of The Factory at Franklin—located just across the road from Harlinsdale, this former factory turned mixed-use destination also holds historical significance in the community. And if you’re interested in the broader story of the area, Visit Franklin’s Treasures: Museums and Historical Points of Interest in Williamson County, Tennessee highlights even more places to experience the region’s rich history.
