Tipton-Haynes Historic Site

What a neat place! Well-done, well-maintained venue near Johnson City, TN with plenty of US and East TN history from right after the Revolutionary War all the way to the early 1960s. Our docent was wonderful. Highly recommended!

Great history lesson. Jeff Mullins Photography Adventures. Happy Hiking! The Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site tells the rich story of the history of Northeast Tennessee and of the several families that lived here. The site includes 45 acres, eleven historic buildings, the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly cemetery, a limestone cave, a natural spring, a buffalo trace, a nature trail, and a Visitor Center. The Visitor Center contains a permanent exhibit, museum store, educational spaces, a library, and archives.Purchasing the site in 1784, Colonel John Tipton (1730-1813) moved from Shenandoah County, Virginia to settle in what was then Washington County, North Carolina. For the next four years, the formation and decline of the State of Franklin became an important issue for the area and the life of Colonel Tipton, who stayed loyal to North Carolina. In February of 1788, the Battle of the State of Franklin turned the peaceful home of Colonel Tipton’s into a battle ground for Franklin independence. Colonel Tipton would later help with the development of Tennessee becoming the 16th state of the Union before retiring from public life.After his father’s death, John Tipton, Jr. (1767-1831) inherited the property. Before moving to Washington County, Tipton, Jr. was already a successful state legislator and wealthy land owner in Blountville, Tennessee. Tipton, Jr. expanded his father’s cabin in the 1820s, making it a Federal style farmhouse. While attending the 19th General Assembly, he died in Nashville.The heirs of John Tipton, Jr. sold the property to David and Rhoda Haynes in 1837. For a wedding gift, David and Rhoda gave the property to Landon Carter Haynes (1816-1875), their oldest son, in 1839. That year, Landon had married Eleanor Powell. In the 1850s, he expanded the former Tipton home into how it appears today. Haynes is best known for being a Confederate senator, but was also a state legislator, politician, farmer, newspaper editor, Methodist minister, and attorney. Losing his home during the Civil War, Haynes moved to and lived the rest of his life in Memphis, Tennessee. The site would eventually return to the Haynes family when, on May 1, 1882, Sarah L. Gifford Simerly (1847-1935) purchased the property. Sarah was the niece of Landon Carter Haynes.

Family oriented. My grandkids loved the farmhouse with fireplaces in each room. The spinning wheels and loom. They had story telling and blacksmith today. Fun and educational.

It was fabulous! Do not do it without the tour guide!! Worth the 2 dollars extra. We had a wonderful guide explained so much and very good with educational facts for kids.

Beautiful site, lovely little self-guided tour, though without a guide you cant go in the buildings. Definitely worth the price of admission imo. There is a small museum to one side with some interesting artifacts found at the site.

Halloween event was fun! Always a good time. Nice people .

Very nice experience! Cave was cool.

The kids really enjoyed learning about making maple syrup, trying the different kinds of syrup and learning how each is made. The staff was very friendly and they have a nice little museum about the site itself.

Great place and super reasonable price suggest to all ages tho.

Great lil place

This is a great historical place for people to be exposed to how things were done or made in the old days. The exhibits and special events such as the making of maple syrup and sorghum molasses are a lot of fun to watch and are for the whole family to enjoy.

Really cool place to visit. Museum is awesome and farmstead is a great look back at pioneer and frontier life. Helpful nice staff and gift shop

The Halloween event was a little disappointing but thats partly my fault. The event was from 2-6pm and we didnt get there until 4:45. They had really cute kid friendly crafts which were great. But there was suppose to be storytelling and there wasnt. So we went to ride the hayride and it they said it had broken down. Stuff happens so thats not really there fault. Everyone there was really nice and I appreciate them taking the time to put on the event. It was kinda windy so we didnt walk around the whole property. But Im sure well visit again in the future.

I was skeptical that it would hold my attention, but having the guided tour was worth it. The guide, Wes, was well informed and answered all my questions. He tied the site to Jonesborough and the competing ideas of the State of Franklin.Plus there Dire wolves!

Always a great place to visit

Had a wonderful time here for Maple syrup fest. Very educational!

Its SO amazing the history the tour it was amazing just . Wow

Definitely recommend taking a tour here. Very affordable and the guide was very knowledgable. Going inside the buildings was one of my favorite parts. I would go back again!!

An awesome historical stop in Tennessee. Definitely pay the two extra dollars to get a guided tour!

We were there for the maple syrup festival! It was so great walking through the homes and buildings. The fire place cooking was delicious and all the gentleman from the syrup boil were very informative and interesting. The apple butter from the store is amazing!

Very outgoing staff knowledgeable and fun interactive will go again

Great location. They offer a historical tour and they do paranormal investigations as well. We seen a lot of paranormal activity the night we explored the location.

Had a great time. Took the guided tour. So glad we did. Were able to go into several buildings and see how they lived. Then walked the grounds and explored the cave a little. Would love to come back again. Well worth the trip.

Went for an event. Decent parking. Restrooms were clean and well stocked.

What an experience, what for the Celtic Festival, stayed for the Tipton-Haynes exhibit. I testing perspectives of early Eadt Tennessee life. Broadswords ruled! And personally, ...men in kilts . nuff said!

Love the reenactment and great place to learn about history

Such a cool place to take my kids. Educational and fun!

An excellent place, well kept, and wonderful staff. We maintain a membership here, its that good!

A well kept 19th century farm houseThe venue was accommodating for the Civil War reenacting

Great family atmosphere! The cave, home and museum are fun and educational.

Attended Christmas in 1863 tonight with my wife and 10 year old son... it was a true treat for all! Thank you for a final time! Highly recommend!

American-Indian Festival day!

Very nice historical farm/mueseum. Often, local community events are held there. Also, a beautiful place to hold weddings or other events. Great, friendly, and knowledgeable staff.

Nice historical site.

Cool history!! Beautiful home with a lot of antiques & original buildings.

An awesome historical site with a variety of events celebrating the history of the area.

We went to the sorgum festival. It was small but bought some neat stuff. Lady cooking in old house had really good old fashioned food to try. Disappointed that we couldnt buy sorgum that was made that day.

Love this place it is absolutely beautiful. Was there as a vendor for the east Tennessee Celtic society festival and was treated wonderfully by everyone there

Beautiful and fun to explore!

A great place for a leisurely educational family outing. Staff and volunteers are very friendly and informative! Festivals allow for even more fun educational opportunities.

Cool place to visit.

This was so coolCheck out the cave om tje back pf the site

If you attend this great site in the colder months be sure todress warmly. kids had a great time.

My daughter visited Friday March 20, 2015 and she cant stop talking about it. From millstones, history and all the fun activities she loved it all. A warm thank you to all the staff for her wonderful time.

Went to maple syrup festival. Rainy and muddy but still had pretty good time.

Tipton Haynes Springtime in Haynesville was amazing. Even though it was misting rain most of the day, we enjoyed it. It was very educational and the reenactors were friendly and knowledgeable as were the staff. Thank you for the experience.

Always a great time. Combines fun with learning for all ages.

Great ancestry site

My kids lived that they could go inside a real cave. They are 4 and 2. Plenty of appropriate trails for them. Historical stuff for older kids and adults.

Love the historical places.

Very friendly people. Watched reenactments of civil war and WWII, cave is neat, fun for family for as long as you like.

Love it!!

Outstanding Historic site -- definitely a must see -- staff is very informative and friendly -- a most enjoyable guided tour. Im looking forward to the upcoming Sorghum Fest!!!

Very great place to go learn about some local history

Cute place

Enjoyable!

Excellent, well worth a visit!

Love this place!

Beautiful estate to visit and explore.

Nice festival.

Went and watched a civil war reenactment, very interesting, and of course the North won

Went there for a paranormal event

Great

Loved it!!!

Love the cave

Waste of money

Wonderful staff

Its part of my heritage

Great historical site

Educational

Fun place for living history