Marymont Mansion may be getting a new lease on life.
Local couple Jeff and Sherris Brown want to turn the historic house into Black Crow Wine Bar.
Built in the 1860s, the antebellum home has slipped through many fingers and into decline over the years. The Browns want to preserve the building by transforming it into a commercial establishment.
"The home has been sitting vacant for many years and has fallen into significant disrepair," the Browns said in documents filed with the Murfreesboro Planning Commission.
What is it?
Located on Rucker Lane, the home was constructed in the years just before the Civil War. Since then, it has been a single-family home, rental property and proposed clubhouse for the Marymont Springs development.
The home was built between 1861-1867 and named after Mary Rucker Donnell. An example of Greek Revival architecture, it was listed with the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
It was also the home of Dr JJ Rucker and his wife Nemmie Jenkins following the Civil War, said Denise Carlton, Rockvale's resident historian. They counted former first lady Sarah Childress Polk as a friend.
When Bob Parks et al. bought the property before the Great Recession, they vowed to protect the mansion. But in 2013, the plans were amended to change the possible uses for the building to allow for a single family residence, bed and breakfast facility, event facility, or a restaurant.
Since then the home has fallen into disrepair and been damaged by vandals.
"It is in sound condition," Carlton said. "I was in it recently, it has some work needed, and just recently they put boards up."
What they want to do?
The Browns want to turn the historic home into a commercial establishment, which could preserve this important piece of Rutherford County history, Carlton said.
Called the Black Crow Wine Bar, the Browns have proposed an "upscale wine and cigar lounge," according to plans filed with the Murfreesboro Planning Department.
The bar will serve a selection of local whiskies and bourbons, micro-brewery beers, and hand-rolled cigars along with gastro-pub fare.
Part of the plans include building an outdoor courtyard for patrons to use.
In order to so this, The Browns want to amend the current approved uses for the building to add "tavern" to "event center." This will allow them to operate a wine bar for wine, beer, whiskey and bourbon sales.
As proposed, Black Crow Wine Bar will be open from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 2 p.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
One goal of their plans is to "bring the home back to life," the documents said.
Jeff Brown has more than 20 years of experience in operations and Sherris is an educator with more than 20 years of experience.
What's next?
At 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, the Murfreesboro Planning Commission will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 111 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro.
The purpose of the hearing is to consider adding "tavern" as a permitted use at the property identified as 1126 Rucker Lane.
Interested parties may also obtain additional information by calling the Murfreesboro Planning staff at 615-893-6441. All interested parties are invited to attend.