(Nashville, TN – Nov. 22, 2010) – The Fontanel Mansion & Farm today dedicated the property’s former dairy barn as the new “Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Education Center at Fontanel.” Marc Oswald, co-owner of the Fontanel, and country artist and Walden’s Puddle Chairman of the Board Lane Brody were on hand to announce the unique partnership, which will not only showcase the important work of Walden’s Puddle providing care and treatment to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, but will also educate visitors about the vast array of native Tennessee wildlife, much of it resident on Fontanel’s 136 acres.
The new facility will house displays detailing the background, purpose and work of Walden’s Puddle as well as general information about the state’s resident wildlife. Visitors will often be able to interact with “educational ambassadors” – rehabilitated animals who, as a result of their injuries cannot be released back into the wild and are instead, cared for permanently by Walden’s Puddle and allow children and others the opportunity to better understand these amazing creatures. Other fully rehabilitated wildlife will be brought from the organization’s main care facility and returned to the wild on the property. Walden’s Puddle will offer year-round events and educational opportunities.
“Our vision for the Fontanel property always included being good stewards of the wildlife that inhabits the 136 acres,” said Oswald. “This partnership with Walden’s Puddle gives the organization a public setting in which to share their important message, a vast native woodland in which to release their rehabilitated wildlife and gives our visitors an up-close look at the wonderful work they do.”
“Our amazing staff, devoted volunteers, dedicated board and all the blessed critters are overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude for this amazing opportunity that the team at Fontanel has given us,” added Lane Brody. “To be able to share our goals and passion for our mission with daily visitors in such a personal way is a dream come true. All Glory to God!”
Walden’s Puddle is the only professionally-staffed wildlife rehabilitation and education facility in Middle Tennessee. They do not charge for services and receive no federal or state funding at this time. To learn more about the organization or to make a donation, visit WaldensPuddle.org.
In early September, Walden’s Puddle released four Great Horned Owls on the property. Three had been raised from owlets, and one was rehabbed following a sickness. Walden’s Puddle animal care manager Bettina Bowers Schwan called the property, “a beautiful place with wonderful energy.” Visitors to the Trails at Fontanel, which wind over two miles through the property, could be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of the owls or countless other wildlife that inhabit the land.
About the Fontanel Mansion & Farm – The Fontanel Mansion, a 27,000 square foot log home formerly owned by Country Music Hall of Fame® member Barbara Mandrell, opened to the public on June 7, 2010. Located less than 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, The Mansion at Fontanel boasts three stories, over 20 rooms, thirteen bathrooms, five fireplaces, two kitchens, indoor pool and even an indoor shooting range on 136 acres of pristine land. An exclusive spot for the stars, the home and grounds have been the setting for numerous photo and video shoots, CMT’s top-rated “Gone Country” show and most recently the hit Hollywood movie Country Strong. Nashville’s only country music mansion tour, the Mansion at Fontanel gives visitors a sneak peek into the lives of country music greats by providing a truly interactive experience!
A ticket to tour the Mansion at Fontanel is like a ticket to the inside life of Nashville’s most famous export. The Mansion at Fontanel has been filled to the brim with photos, memorabilia and personal items from the period when the Mandrell family lived there. Additionally, the personal collections of current owners Dale Morris and Marc Oswald are featured which include one of a kind items, personal photos, and keepsakes of the artists they currently manage, including Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and many others. But make no mistake, this is not a museum. At Fontanel, visitors get to do more than just look, guests are welcome to touch, see, feel and relax in this magnificent home.
A tour of the Mansion is guided in small groups room by room, with amazing sights and special stories around every corner. Tour guides escort guests from the moment they walk into the front door through the entire home starting in the great room and ending in the glorious sunlit pool atrium. Tours are available Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets are $19 for adults, $16 for seniors, $9 for youths and kids 6 and under are FREE.
There are many other exciting facets for visitors to Fontanel in addition to the “country music mansion tour.” Guests who want to enjoy nature can hike or mountain bike The Trails at Fontanel. With over 136 acres of pristine land that the mansion resides on, the Trails at Fontanel provide a FREE system of trails for both locals and visitors. Guests can access over two miles of trails during daylight hours. The trails are open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until dusk.
Unlike anything in Nashville, The Woods at Fontanel is an outdoor music venue surrounded by the woods of the Fontanel property. This new venue showcases major artists in an intimate format that no one will have a chance to experience anywhere else.
After touring the mansion and hiking the trails, guests who have worked up an appetite can dine at The Farm House Restaurant at Fontanel. Offering southern-style comfort food with a fun creative twist, the Farm House showcases a “farm to fork” menu with items that feature local produce, dairy and meats delivered from area farms and sustainable sources. The Farm House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week. Hours of operation are Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Local arts and crafts are available in the Fontanel Stone House Gift Shop as well.
The property is managed by Fontanel Attractions, made up of entertainment entrepreneurs Dale Morris and Marc Oswald, world-class developer, Alex Marks and Tom Morales, owner of TomKats, Inc., as the operating partner. TomKats’ experience ensures Fontanel Mansion’s role as a cherished community asset in the heartbeat of Music City. For more information visit www.fontanelmansion.com.
