Scarritt-Bennett Center: Relax for business and pleasure
Published: Jun 27, 2009
Whether you need a personal getaway or a location for your next conference, the Scarritt-Bennett Center provides a tranquil location that promises to leave visitors feeling renewed and refreshed.
Combined with sprawling gardens, meeting rooms and overnight accommodations, the center is within walking distance of Music Row, Vanderbilt University and area shops and restaurants.
The conference, retreat and educational center was originally Scarritt Bible and Training School for young women missionaries in Kansas City, Mo. It moved to Nashville in 1924 where it became Scarritt College for Christian Workers. Scarritt Hall, Bennett Hall, the Tower and the Chapel, known collectively as the Belle Bennett Memorial, were built between 1924-1927.
The college had a mission to promote and advocate social justice, multi-cultural understanding and diversity awareness that still remains. The center was later organized in 1988 as a non-profit institutuion working to promote social justice through organized discussion, presentations and open dialogue.
The campus rests on 10 acres of manicured lawns and gardens. The 10 buildings on the grounds are made of crab orchard stone in collegiate gothic architectural style. The gothic chapel is a popular location for weddings, holding more than 100 each year.
The center has a museum on site where the collection of ethnographic artifacts rests. Inside, the museum displays thousands of objects that include textiles, pottery, masks, a doll collection and other artifacts from various ethnicities around the world. The center’s library holds a specialized collection of books on women and journals from various United Methodist agencies.
Museum hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The center also offers overnight accommodations for up to 139 in its residential halls-turned-guest rooms. Guest rooms are available for as low $35.
For more information on the Scarritt-Bennett Center, visit its website.
- by Leah Caudle , Nashville Reporter for HelloMetro
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