Life in Early Middle Tennessee

When the Buchanan Log House was built between 1807 and 1809, Middle Tennessee was undergoing rapid change. Treaties with the Cherokee and Chickasaw transferred large areas of Native land to the United States, accelerating migration and settlement throughout the region. Most families depended heavily on agriculture, producing much of their own food and household goods while relying on rivers and a limited network of roads to transport crops and other products to market.

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The Buchanan Family

Built by pioneer settler James Buchanan, the Buchanan Log House is one of the oldest standing homes in the Nashville area. After marrying Lucinda “Lucy” East in 1810, James and Lucy raised sixteen children in the home. As their family grew, so did the house. Around 1820, when they already had eight children, they added a one-and-a-half-story addition measuring 16 by 18 feet. All sixteen Buchanan children lived to adulthood, and many remained in the Donelson-Hermitage area, where their descendants continued to be part of the surrounding community.

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The Buchanan household, however, extended beyond the family whose name the house bears. Historical records document approximately fifteen enslaved individuals who also lived and labored on the property. Their lives and work were an integral part of the household and farm, although surviving records tell us far less about their individual experiences.

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James died in 1841, and Lucy continued operating the farm with the help of their son Addison until her death in 1865. The property later became home to the Frazier family and passed through several other owners before being acquired by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in 1992 and transferred to the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. Today, the house is preserved by the Donelson-Hermitage Chapter of APTA.

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Explore the History

The story of the Buchanan Log House extends beyond its walls, connecting the Buchanan family to the broader history of Donelson and Middle Tennessee. From the original log house and the Addison House to the family cemetery and the legacy of the Frazier family, each offers a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped this historic property. Explore the historical documents, photographs, and other resources below to discover the records and stories that preserve their legacy.

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