Falcon Rest ?new? name for Historic Falcon Manor

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON News Editor for the Southern Standard

There?s been a change at Historic Falcon Manor, but it?s in name only. Owners George and Charlien McGlothin have announced the popular tourist attraction is celebrating the 110th anniversary of Clay Faulkner building his mansion by changing its name back to the one he originally gave it: “Falcon Rest.” The name change became official on April 1.

It was some time after he restored the mansion and opened it to the public 12 years ago that George McGlothin discovered Faulkner had called it “Falcon Rest.”

Mrs. Edith Bryan, widow of Charles Faulkner Bryan, lived down the road at “Falconhurst,” the Faulkner Springs home built by Clay’s father Asa. She told the McGlothins the family often used ‘falcon’ in the names of their homes because “Faulkner” is derived from “falconer.” They chose “Falcon Manor” in keeping with that tradition. Faulkner’s granddaughter, Mary Saunders Wiltshire of Manchester, revealed the actual name when she visited the mansion shortly after it was opened to the public.

An early 1900s Southern Standard article discovered by Chris Keathley, of the Southern Museum & Galleries of Photography, Culture & History, confirmed her recollection. It said the wedding of Faulkner’s daughter Virginia took place “at the family home Falcon Rest.”

Returning the mansion to its historic name reflects what has been its actual function for many years, a historic tourist attraction.

“We’ve come a long way from the time the Faulkner mansion was the only building we had, and we provided all of our services from within its solid-brick walls,” said General Manager Charlien McGlothin. In fact, when the American Bus Association held its annual convention in Nashville this winter, Tennessee included Falcon Rest in one of the tours designed to familiarize national motorcoach operators with tourism highlights of the state.

The Victorian Carriage House (site of entertainment and meals for tour groups, plus special events and weddings), and the mansion, Victorian Gift Shop and Tea Room (open for guided tours, shopping and lunch for walk-ins seven days a week year round) will fall under the “Falcon Rest” banner.

The “Falcon Manor” name will be retained for overnight guest rooms in other buildings on the grounds. Though the mansion itself has been used exclusively for tours since 1999, Tennesseans have named those accommodations among their favorite places to stay for the last five years in Tennessee Magazine’s “Best of the Best” reader’s poll.

“We’re changing the name but the fun is the same,” said Charlien. “Folks can be sure that the food, entertainment and beauty they have come to love will only get better.”

For more information, see www.falconrest.travel or call 668-4444.

Charlien and George McGlothin are in full costume for a performance of ?Murder at the Mansion,? an audience participation play written and developed by the couple. The performances can be booked during tours or as special events for groups and organizations. Guests become actual characters in the play with one being unveiled as the culprit at the end.