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This Mansion's Not for the Birds Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

The Seanachai: Greetings from Geocaching.com,

While we feel that Geocaching.com should hold the location for you for a reasonable amount of time, we cannot do so indefinitely. In light of the lack of communication regarding this cache it has been archived to free up the area for new placements. If you haven’t done so already, please pick up this cache or any remaining bits as soon as possible. If you are in the process of replacing or repairing your cache please e-mail me in response to this archival and, if possible, I will unarchive your cache.

I want to thank you for the time that you have taken to contribute in the past and I am looking forward to your continued contributions to the sport of Geocaching.

The Seanachai
Geocaching.com Volunteer Cache Reviewer for Tennessee

More
Hidden : 4/30/2014
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A fun find outside of the historic Smith-Trahern mansion in Clarksville, Tennessee.


You're looking for a regular-sized cache that contains some trade-able items and has room for travel bugs. Please be sure to leave an item if you take an item. This cache is located in the yard of the historic Smith-Trahern mansion. There's no need to go inside the mansion to find the cache, though we do recommend taking a tour after you find the cache. This cache has been hidden with the permission of Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation.

Background information on the mansion:

"The Smith/Trahern Mansion, a beautiful home overlooking the Cumberland River, was designed by Adolphus Heiman for Christopher Smith, a wealthy tobacconist, in 1858 (Mr. Heiman designed many structures, including the famous Belmont Estate in Nashville.) Built in 1858-59, during the troubled Pre-Civil War era, the home reflects the transition between Greek Revival and Italinata styles, which were so popular at that time. Although not as large as some, the home boasts grand hallways, an exquisite curved staircase and a"widow's walk" on the roof. The original main building consisted of four large rooms on each of the two floors, opening onto both the hallways and the balconies. The kitchen was attached to the back of the house, but there was no connecting door. Of the many outbuildings that must have been on the property at this time, only the slave's quarters remains.

Adjoining the Smith Trahern property is a cemetery that dates back to the 1700's including the grave of Valentine Sevier, an early settler whose family was massacred by the Indians. Mr. Smith's business took him often by river-boat to New Orleans. On one such trip, he fell ill and died. As his body was being transported back to Clarksville, the riverboat blew up and his body was never recovered.In 1905, at the death of Lucy Smith, the house passed to her grand-daughter and her husband, Lacy Lockert, Jr.. It was then sold out of the family in 1919. From 1919 until Joseph and Margaret Trahern purchased the home in 1947, it was used mostly for rental property, the rooms being divided into apartements. During WWII, it was even used as temporary housing for soldiers. Mr. & Mrs. Russell Rives, the last family to own and live in the home, added the large room off to the kitchen.”

Source: http://www.smithtrahernmansion.com/

The mansion is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is well worth visiting when you come here for the cache. 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur pnpur vf abg va gur znafvba, ohg vg'f va n znafvba.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)