Dickson Williams Mansion

05/01/2026

DICKSON-WILLIAMS MANSION COLLECTION ENRICHED

The Dickson-Williams Mansion boasts an outstanding collection of fine furnishings and decorative accessories that enhance the interpretation of the daily life of the Williams family, beginning with the wedding of Catharine Dickson to Dr Alexander Williams in 1823. Many of the items exhibited are due to the generosity of Greene County families as direct gifts or placed on permanent loan to the Dickson-Williams Historical Association, Inc. during the restoration of the grand Federal architectural treasure in downtown Greeneville.

That generous spirit of community support is still alive, as recently demonstrated by the family of Greeneville resident, the late Henrietta Holt of North Main Street. A beautiful four-poster Southern mahogany bed, complete with arching canopy, was placed on permanent loan and placed in a second-floor bedchamber to be enjoyed by guests to the house museum. Steve Ottinger, chairman of the Board of Trustees’ Furnishings and Acquisitions Committee enthusiastically accepted the loan and commented, “The Mansion board is dedicated to always upgrading the house museum’s collections for our guests’ enjoyment. This
handsomely crafted bed ca 1825-1850 reflets the craftsmanship of a quality cabinetmaker.” Robert Holt, executor of the Henrietta Holt estate, claimed according to his mother, the four- poster bed was of Tennessee origin and acquired many years ago from a nearby county. “She was very proud of the bed, loved fine furnishings and art, and placing it in the care of the Dickson-Williams Mansion is a way to honor her very creative life,” he added.

Rich Boyd, Chairman of the Board of Trustees echoed Ottinger’s enthusiasm of the addition. “This is a fine example of local and regional artifacts of historical significance still waiting to be discovered and shared. Catharine Williams had exquisite furnishings during her 47-year occupancy of the residence, and we are continually looking to upgrade our collections with period appropriate items. We are most grateful to the thoughtful heirs of Ms. Henrietta Holt for this permanent loan,” he added.

The Dickson-Williams Mansion is open daily for tours beginning at 1 PM and beginning in the lobby of the General Morgan Inn.

PHOTO: Robert Holt(Left), representing the Henrietta Holt estate is shown with Steve Ottinger(Right) next to the Tennessee, four-poster bed placed on permanent loan to the Dickson-Williams Mansion.

04/29/2026

Greene County Treasure Added to Dickson-Williams Mansion Collection

With a discerning eye, the Dickson-Williams Mansion Furnishings and Acquisitions Committee is continually searching for appropriate period furniture and decorative accessories to aid in the interpretation of the ancestral home of Catharine and Dr. Alexander Williams, built in 1821. The magnificent Federal style residence in downtown Greeneville already boasts impressive collections that mirror the lives of the Williams family beginning in 1823 when the family established residence.

“Many of the items on exhibit are due to the generosity of Greene County families over the years,” said Steve Ottinger, Chairman of the Furnishings and Acquisitions Committee, “and recently the Mansion became the recipient of a most attractive Southern fall-front mahogany veneer desk featuring three large bottom drawers and fine-crafted side columns on a skillfully executed case with turned feet. The upper interior configuration has nine drawers, two document boxes, and two open storage areas.” The donor of the gift was from the family of Reverend Roland Clarkson.

A representative of the family who was instrumental in securing the gift for the Mansion said the furniture artist who crafted the piece may have been a noted Greene County cabinetmaker. Rich Boyd, Chairman of the Board of Trustees said, “Additional research by the Board of Trustees may indeed provide additional provenance details of the circa 1850-1890 desk.” Boyd noted that the governing body has several members that are noted collectors of Greene County furniture.

The Dickson-Williams Mansion is open daily for tours beginning at 1 PM, originating in the lobby of the General Morgan Inn.

PHOTO: Admiring the Clarkson family donated fall-front mahogany-veneer desk on display in the Dickson-Williams Mansion Drawing Room are members of the Furnishings and Acquisitions Committee- Left to Right: Tom Lane, Steve Ottinger, Chairman, Ray Allen, Jr., and Wilhelmina Williams.

04/23/2026

GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Greene Heritage Days will celebrate the history of Greeneville and greater Greene County. The event is a collaboration between the Greeneville-Greene County Muse…

04/16/2026

Here's the front page of the Wednesday Edition of The Greeneville Sun. Get your copy of the Sun at these locations:
www.greenevillesun.com/site/single_copy_locations.html

10/17/2025

The 250th Anniversary of the founding of the nation in 1775-1776 will be the focus of the upcoming Greene County Heritage Trust Early American Christmas Dinner in early December, organizers

10/17/2025

The Dickson-Williams Historical Association, the organization that manages and maintains the historic Dickson-Williams Mansion in downtown Greeneville, is looking to reintroduce the community to the mansion through renewed community engagement

09/01/2025

Sarah E.T. Webster was honored Monday for her nearly four decades of work in restoring the Dickson-Williams Mansion in Greeneville.

06/02/2025

Great day yesterday at the mansion as we hosted the 200th birthday celebration for General John Hunt Morgan.

Civil War reenactors and enthusiasts gathered Sunday afternoon at the Dickson-Williams Mansion to mark the 200th anniversary of Gen. John Hunt Morgan's birthday.

05/31/2025

Greene County Historian Tim Massey writes about the life of Civil War General John Hunt Morgan ahead of an event recognizing the 200th anniversary of Morgan’s birthday Sunday at the