Described as the most elaborate, antebellum Italianate-style villa built for that time period. It is now a historical museum, open for tours. It’s 36 rooms are beautifully decorated with the antiques that Adelicia had collected and one can also see other works of inspiring art, such as 4 of the 5 sculptures she had bought after the Civil War.

Adelicia Hayes may have been wealthy and lived a life enjoying doing productive activities, giving to others and experiencing the finer things of life, but she had to endure a lot of personal losses in her lifetime, yet carried on bravely.

Adelicia was born into a wealthy, Nashville family in 1817. As a young woman, her teen-aged fiancee died before he could marry her. Her first marriage was to a wealthy, older man, Isaac Franklin, with whom she had four children, who all died before they were 12. Isaac died after only 7 years into their marriage. Adelicia was no wilting flower, but a courageous person, with savvy business sense. Adelicia went forth with life with vigor and continued to run her 8,400 acre Louisiana cotton plantation.

In 1849, Adelicia fell in love and married a young lawyer, Joseph Acklen. After building, furnishing and landscaping their dream villa, Belmont and its grand estate, Adelicia and Joseph settled down and had 6 children. Tragedy struck again when her twin daughters died of scarlet fever. The Civil War came to Louisiana, and her second husband was killed.In 1887, she sold her beloved Belmont and moved to Washington D.C. to live. She died later that same year. She is buried in Nashville. Adelicia in her lifetime, lost a fiancee, 2 husbands and of course 6 children, which was the hardest, most painful loss to endure.She also sold her most beloved summer home, Belmont with the plan that her college would continue, being financed by her endowment. She died in D.C. but came home to Nashville to be buried.

Apparitions:

Adelicia can’t quite rest in peace, and has set off motion detectors in Belmont and its buildings at night.

She feels the urge to supervise the living, and keep watch concerning her Belmont.

The full apparition of Adelicia, attired in a 1800s style, ante-bellum gown, has been seen by the security guards, students and museum staff floating around many parts of the villa, going about her business, checking up on the living, making sure things are in place and are being taken care of properly.

The living have come face to face with the entity of Adelicia.

It was reported that a woman was walking down a hallway one evening during an event, and who should she see face to face but the apparition of Adelicia, dressed in a elegant evening gown. YIKES!

It was reported that Adelicia appeared as a full, solid form and told a museum guide that the furniture in one of the bedrooms were not arranged correctly!