Construction 2025
What’s Happening at the Castle?!
In 2019, the TN Historical Commission set out to undertake their largest construction project to date. With the help of State Representatives William Lamberth, William Slater, and Johnny Garrett, the project was approved in the Governor’s budget for 2020… and then 2020 happened, and everything was shut down. But all was not lost! After lots more conversation, and some adjustments to the budget, the project hit the ground running again in 2021. As with most large scale construction projects, it took a couple years to get the details ironed out. But finally, in August 2024, we had our groundbreaking for a reimagined Rock Castle State Historic Site! The original Visitor Center (built in 1970) was torn down in November 2024, and work began on the new structure. Due to the scope of the project, the Site will be shut down for most of 2025, with a projected open date sometime in late Fall. In the meantime, we are still hosting our Summer Songwriter Series — at Sanders Ferry Park — in May, June, July, & August; as well as our Folk N Bluegrass Fest on September 13 - also most likely at Sanders Ferry Park. (We are SO thankful for the amazing support we have had from the Hendersonville Parks Department)! Also, our Summer Camps will be on-site this summer! Fortunately, the Pavilion where we host Camps has been reconstructed on the back side of the property, and we will have access to that area, and plenty of space to host Camps as usual! We will continue to update on the progress of the construction, and plans for our annual events here on the website and on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Stay tuned — we’re gearing up for even more amazing community experiences at Historic Rock Castle in the coming year!
Scope of Work…
Visitor Center with Museum & Event Spaces
The bulk of the project is the creation of a brand new community center that includes Museum areas for interpretive displays and exhibits; Administrative area; and a large Event space for educational and community programming, as well as private rentals.
View from the Castle…
The veranda of the new Visitor Center Event space will take the place of the Pavilion and act as stage for our outdoor music events!
Other Work…
In addition to the new Visitor Center, the project includes the construction of a utility storage barn on the back side of the property, extended paved parking and roadways for optimal on-site traffic, repair/updates to the on-site caretakers cottage, repair of the historic fencerow in front of the Castle, repair of headstones in the Cemetery, and perhaps the most exciting element — the restoration of two dormer windows and the historic bell tower that were original to the Castle!
For more information, or to get involved with all the amazing things coming to the Castle, please email us at info@historicrockcastle.com