What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 6pm Sunday 9am - 6pm

Grassmere Historic Farm and Croft House

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Nashville, TN
Grassmere Historic Farm and Croft House

Nashville Zoo and the Grassmere Historic Farm grounds are open daily

Website: http://nashvillezoo.org/historic-home

Nashville Zoo Mission: To inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. Grassmere Historic Farm Mission: To preserve and interpret the Croft House and Grassmere Historic Farm, in order to enrich and inspire our visitors, and to educate them on the past, present and future of the property known as the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.

06/12/2026

Today is the day! Brew at the Zoo happens TONIGHT! So we can fully prepare for the fun and festivities, Nashville Zoo will CLOSE today at 3:00pm. We hope to see you later tonight!

06/11/2026

Brew at the Zoo is happening TOMORROW night! The zoo will close at 3:00 on Friday to prepare for all the happenings. It's not too late to join us for one of Nashville's favorite beer festivals! https://www.nashvillezoo.org/brew

06/09/2026

It's that time of year... Brew at the Zoo is this Friday! Just a heads up, the zoo will CLOSE at 3pm to allow for set up for the event. It's not too late to get tickets to one of Nashville's favorite beer events! Hope to see you there! https://www.nashvillezoo.org/brew

06/04/2026

Please join us in protecting this property that we all love so much.

06/02/2026

We're over the moon excited to welcome our newest resident to the Historic Farm! Say hello to Elinor! 🥰

05/30/2026

We welcomed some of our wonderful volunteers to participate in a meaningful project, in partnership with Nashville City Cemetery Association. We decorated stones that will become part of their enslaved burial memorial project, recognizing those enslaved in Nashvillewho died before Emancipation. Our volunteers were so creative and thoughtful as they decorated stones with known names of those thought to be buried at the City Cemetery. For more information on the project, check out this story. Thank you for your help with this important project! https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/national-city-cemetery-association-honors-nashvilles-enslaved-burials/?fbclid=IwdGRjcASH5t5jbGNrBIfm2GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHtIC3hF6bXoX0YWlf2T7gasejwBdycDpzorXWVCsHfDpEZ0rlA_BsMWDOueS_aem_ofbaSN0vRLfTDyU73b644g

05/23/2026

Though not officially recognized by The Livestock Conservancy as a Heritage Breed, we couldn't leave out our resident Highland Cattle, Hamish and Will-O!

Highland Cattle are native to Scotland, and are one of the oldest registered cattle breeds in the world. The Highland Cattle Herd Book was first published in Scotland in 1885, and lists every pedigree since that time.

The first recorded importation of Highland Cattle to the U.S. was in the late 1890s, but it's possible they came earlier due to the large number of Scotch/Irish immigrants. The American Highland Cattle Association registry was established in 1948.

Originally there were two recognized types of cattle; the slightly smaller and usually black Kyloe, primarily found on the islands off the west coast of northern Scotland, and a larger bovine found in the Highlands and having the more recognizable red color. Today both are regarded as one breed – Highland. In addition to red and black, Highland cattle can also be yellow, dun, white, brindle and silver.

Hamish came to Nashville Zoo in February 2025, and Will-O joined him in May 2025. They're still as floofy and adorable as ever!

05/22/2026

Happy International Heritage Breeds Week!
Our final highlighted breed is the Belted Galloway! These cattle originated in Scotland and were imported to the US beginning in the 1940s. Their thick shaggy coats are perfect for the cold and wet climate of the Scottish Highlands, but they are able to shed those coats, and tolerate warmer climates easily. Their beef is considered high-quality, and can be marketed in several niche markets, including grass-fed and organic. Their status is listed as "Watch," meaning there are less than 10,000 animals worldwide.
Belted Galloways have many nicknames - Oreo Cows, Panda Cows, and even Ice Cream Sandwich Cows!
Our heifer Maisie came to Nashville Zoo from Austin Peay University's agriculture program in Clarksville in 2009 as a young calf. She is very docile, love scratches, and is a visitor favorite.

Thank you for following along as we highlighted The Livestock Conservancy and Nashville Zoo 's conservation efforts to help conserve endangered livestock breeds!

05/21/2026

Happy International Heritage Breeds Week!
One of the Historic Farm's most popular residents is our American Milking Devon steer, Boone!
Milking Devons originated in England but were brought over on the Mayflower beginning in 1623 and were well established in New England by the 1700s. They were valued for their high-quality meat and rich milk, but also became the draft animal of choice for travelers on the Oregon Trail as the popularity of the breed expanded south and west.
By the mid 1900s, the breed split to specialize as a beef animal, and a dairy and draft animal. With the modernization of farming and the growth of the beef and dairy industries, Devon cattle fell out of favor and were threatened with dying off completely. In 1978, the American Milking Devon Association was formed, keeping the genetic diversity of the breed intact and protecting them from extinction. The Livestock Conservancy lists the breed as "Critical," with a global population estimated at less than 2000.
Boone came to Nashville Zoo in 2009 from a private owner in East Tennessee as a young calf, and has grown up at the Historic Farm. He has a calm demeanor, loves thrashing Christmas trees every year, and slobbers a lot!

05/20/2026

Happy International Heritage Breeds Week!
Nashville Zoo's conservation efforts with endangered species like Clouded Leopards and Sumatran Tigers are well known. But by exhibiting and educating about Heritage livestock, we're adding to our conservation efforts in ways that maybe aren't as well known. We're proud of the fact that along with exotic species, we can play a part in the conservation of domesticated livestock too. And who doesn't love a big ol' bovine nose?

Address

Nashville Zoo At Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Road
Nashville, TN
37211

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 6pm
Sunday	9am - 6pm

Telephone

+16158331534

Website

http://nashvillezoo.org/historic-home

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