The Falcon Rest Mansion and Gardens was built by “Gorilla Pants” Clay Faulkner, a woollen mill millionaire who promised to gift his bride the grandest mansion in the state if she’d agree to move to Tennessee.

In 1896, the mansion was completed and referred as “Tennessee’s Biltmore” with its many modern conveniences, including state of the art central heating and indoor plumbing as well as electrical lighting.

Today, the Victorian mansion also serves as a museum for Victorian artefacts as well as being the frequent venue for paranormal encounters. The mansion, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has the Victorian Gift Shop for souvenir shopping. At the Tea Room, walk-in visitors may enjoy delicious light fares before or after viewing the many history-based and interactive entertainment shows regularly held at the mansion.