NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cheekwood announced today that it will reopen its gardens on Friday, May 22nd – the same date Cheekwood first opened to the public in 1960 – in coordination with Phase One of Mayor Cooper’s Roadmap to Reopening Nashville plan. The Historic Mansion and Museum and the Frist Learning Center will follow in Phase Three.
With Phase One, Cheekwood will operate its gardens seven days a week from 9am – 8pm. Mondays will be reserved for members. All guests, including members, will be required to reserve a timed-entry ticket via Cheekwood’s website to control the volume of visitors and minimize onsite interactions. All guests are also strongly encouraged to wear face masks or coverings and maintain six-foot social distancing while onsite. Cheekwood employees will have their temperature checked daily and will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
“We are delighted to welcome visitors back to Cheekwood, where sweeping vistas and breathtaking gardens offer a respite for renewal and recovery,” said Jane MacLeod, president/CEO of Cheekwood. “Be it a sun-bathed explosion of color, a wooded canopy, or simply the site of the trains running on the garden rails again, Cheekwood is here to enjoy and help our community heal.”
All 55 acres of Cheekwood’s gardens will be available for visitors beginning May 22, including the Blevins Japanese Garden which has been under restoration, and the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail, following a year-long, multi-million-dollar renovation. Both gardens were scheduled to open in April before Cheekwood closed due to the pandemic. The closure also fell just one week after the grand opening of the new Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden. Some features within the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, and the play area in the Trains! exhibit will remain closed until later phases of the Mayor’s reopening plan.
Beginning June 1st, Cheekwood will offer a Dog’s Night Out on Thursdays from 6pm – 8pm, with dog-friendly access to the grounds. Cheekwood’s Café 29 will provide to-go food service, and evening to-go bar service will be offered on Thursdays through Saturdays. The Garden Gift Shop will operate at half capacity.
In June, Cheekwood will also offer a Wellness Wednesday program in partnership with Small World Yoga, providing outdoor beginner and intermediate-level yoga classes for free with general admission or membership. These programs, part of The Welcome Back to Cheekwood operating plan, will run through June 20th.
Cheekwood’s Visitors Services Center restrooms will be open and will be cleaned regularly, with touch-free trash cans and hand sanitizers on site. Cheekwood will not offer operating water fountains, and guests are encouraged to bring their own water.
Chihuly at Cheekwood, originally scheduled to open April 25, was postponed, and is now rescheduled for July 18 – January 10, with artwork in both the gardens and museum.
“We hope to be in Phase Three by the time Chihuly at Cheekwood opens, so visitors will be able to experience Dale Chihuly’s incredibly vibrant works throughout the Historic Mansion and Museum galleries, the Frist Learning Center and the gardens,” continued MacLeod.
Cheekwood members will be given a two-month extension on current memberships, and new members will receive a special 13-month membership offer through June 30th.
Cheekwood’s Summer Camp classes have been cancelled through the end of June, and a decision on July camps will be forthcoming and dependent on government guidelines.
For the latest information on openings, visitor guidelines, and to reserve tickets visit www.cheekwood.org.
About Cheekwood
Cheekwood is considered one of the finest American Country Place Era estates in the nation that serves as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with historic rooms and art galleries, showcasing works from its 7,000 permanent collection as well as traveling exhibitions. The property includes 12 distinct gardens and a 1.5-mile-long woodland trail featuring modern and contemporary outdoor sculpture. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and is a USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden. Cheekwood is located just 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. For further information, call 615-356-8000 or visit cheekwood.org.
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