A historic home in Walter Hill has become a catalyst for a larger preservation movement in Walter Hill and Rutherford County.

“Riverside Farm,” built in the early 1830s, is a historic cotton plantation near the East Fork of the Stones River. Located at 1218 West Jefferson Pk. on about seven acres of land, Riverside has been a well-preserved historic home of Rutherford County for over a century.

It served as the stately home of Beverly Randolph and his descendants and was dubbed Riverside due to its close proximity to the banks of the Stones River.

Sold in June of 2022, it has recently been the center of a cry from the local community that is emphasizing the preservation of historic homes and land in the areas north of Murfreesboro, which has seen a large increase in population and suburbanization in recent years.

The new owner of Riverside, Stephanie Macca, has plans to turn the home into a wedding venue to preserve its heritage and surrounding acreage, and get the community more engaged with the property.

Riverside has historically been a centerpiece of Walter Hill and has hosted weddings in the past. At one point it was even an antique shop that many older residents of Walter Hill will remember. The Maccas plan to further solidify the property’s historical relevance.

“Many homes and monuments just like it are at risk for demolition due to lack of care and maintenance. Riverside Wedding Retreat will preserve Tennessee history,” Stephanie Macca said in a Facebook post spreading her preservation plans.

No strangers to the hospitality business, Macca and her family recently closed their restaurant in Nashville, Joey’s House of Pizza. Macca said that her and her family wanted a change while still working in another facet of the hospitality and service industry.

“My family and I love history and we have always wanted to be involved in a project such as this,” Macca said.

The property has been included on the National Register of Historic Places since 2006.

“It is a nationally registered landmark in Walter Hill. However, that does not constitute protection from a developer to demolish and develop on the seven open acres. That is why The Riverside Wedding Retreat will be an asset to the community and the entire state of Tennessee,” said Macca.

Macca has actively been representing the project on the Hip Walter Hill Facebook group and other pages and wants to get the attention and support of the Rutherford County Commissioners and area historic societies. She intends to host some historical tours for school kids and members of the public and for proceeds from this to potentially support the Rutherford County Historical Society.

Though the home has been well kept, it still would need work to become a regular wedding venue. Macca is using this preservation project to attempt and update the property.

“I come from a family business and [a family] who has always stuck together. This is also a family project. This home also signifies family and working together. There have been seven generations to live in this home. My family and I intend to preserve the home as well as they did. It’s a beautiful thing to keep a tradition going,” said Macca.

It seems like many in the community support the preservation of the property, and strengthening the historical preservation systems in the state.