Photography

Clan Pollock Historian Visits Family Home
Rattle and Snap

Clan Pollock Historian, John Polk, recently visited Rattle and Snap, the historic antebellum mansion in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, built by his Great-Great- Grandfather, George Washington Polk, in 1843-4. Rattle and Snap derives its name from the dice game in which George’s father, Colonel William Polk of Raleigh NC, won the 5468 acre tract on which the mansion was later built. Colonel Polk split the land into four smaller tracts which were given to four of his sons, including George’s brother Leonidas, later an Episcopal Bishop and Confederate General, who built his own mansion, Ashwood, and St. John’s, an Episcopal church at the center point where the four properties join. 

Rattle and Snap is now owned by Dr. Mike Kaslow, and his wife Bobbi. Mike spent his career in California but grew up very nearby in Mount Pleasant and returned here when he retired in 2005 and purchased Rattle and Snap at a foreclosure auction. Mike and Bobbi have done a very thorough job of furnishing the house in period furniture, paintings, carpets and other ornaments so it appears very much as it did in pre-Civil War Days.

Rattle and Snap is considered to be one of the prime examples of Middle Tennessee antebellum architecture and has been featured in various television shows including This Old House and Tennessee Crossroads.

These can be seen at:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tv/video/0,,20630363,00.html
http://tennesseecrossroads.org/program-info-watch/?selected_segment=rattle-and-snap-plantation

Rattle and Snap Plantation

The Bells of Rattle and Snap

While rooting around in our barn, we found "what turned out to be" six nineteenth century bronze bells.  After reading J. Fraser Smith's book, "White Pillars", we believe that these bells just might be the servants bells of Rattle and Snap...
the very same bells that were installed when George and Sallie Polk owned Rattle and Snap. Mr. Smith visited antebellum houses throughout the South and published his book about those homes in 1941.
In reference to the Rattle and Snap servants bells, he wrote:
"The old house is still equipped with the early elaborate and unique system of service pull bells. On the service porch
is a series of eight bells ranging in size from two to six inches, all connected by small wires to the various rooms.
Each servant knew his bell tone and, if he were a personal servant, he knew where to report."

We consulted John Kiser (architectural historian and friend) and he confirmed that he saw the bells hanging on theporch wall when he was a youngster. Woodworker, par excellence, Kim Clayton, met with John. John gave a description of how and where the bells were hung. Kim then began a search to find the perfect piece of wood from which to hang the bells. He found hand hewn chestnut boards from a dismantled Maury Co. log house. Not only was the wood beautiful but it had once been a part of a house the same age as Rattle and Snap. According to John's description, Kim mounted them on the wood and now six of the eight bells are back in their original place. Wouldn't be wonderful if someone, somewhere has the two missing servants bells and would send them home?
We at Rattle and Snap can only hope, but in the meantime, we are thrilled with our find.

Master Woodcrafter Makes Donation To Rattle And Snap

Mr. Rogers Places The Acorn He Carved On The Entrance Into The Garden.
The acorn is the symbol of the Polk family. Mr. Rogers , master woodworker, carved finial's to be placed on the antique fence surrounding the Rattle And Snap Victorian Gardens. Mr. Rogers donated his time as well as the acorns to the mansion. Thank you, Mr. Rogers !!
 
The Nashville Corvette Club Visit Rattle And Snap


The Nashville Corvette Club Rolled In For A Visit To Rattle And Snap.
The Maury County Newcomers Club Visit Rattle And Snap

The time worn majestic columns you see in this photo are currently undergoing a makeover.
 
Weathered Shutters Being Replaced At Rattle And Snap
 
Winter Time At Rattle And Snap