After decades behind closed gates and a six-year restoration, the Aslan Foundation will officially open the Eugenia Williams House to the public with a Grand Opening on Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m., with a formal opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the House’s motor court, weather permitting. From 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy complimentary tours of the House, offered approximately every 30 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tour lasts roughly 20 minutes. Gates close promptly at 5:00 p.m.
The community is invited to experience one of Knoxville’s most distinctive historic properties. The event marks the beginning of a new era for the property. Designed by architect John Fanz Staub for heiress Eugenia Williams and completed in 1941, the house later sat vacant for decades before undergoing a meticulous restoration by the Aslan Foundation. Once a private residence, it now reopens as a vibrant public destination—welcoming lovers of history, nature, and the arts.
“This estate was always meant to be extraordinary,” said Aslan Foundation Executive Director Katharine Killen. “For decades, it was a private treasure. Today, it becomes a Knoxville gem, an inviting place for exploration and connection.”
The gates will open at The Eugenia Williams House is not a traditional drop-in museum. To ensure the preservation and sustainability of the historic property and its nonprofit model, interior access will typically be available only through ticketed guided tours and cultural events.
Throughout the event, live music by a string quartet will be heard outside the House, and guests are encouraged to explore the Grounds and wooded walking trails, and to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn. Visitors will also be invited to share written reflections on the House—past, present, or future—for possible inclusion in a time capsule to be buried on the property. Complimentary water and lemonade will be available. A pop-up coffee bar with beverages for purchase will also be available.
Due to the property’s historic nature, on-site parking is limited to 48 spaces. A charming vintage trolley will shuttle guests to and from overflow parking, located at the west end of the parking lot at 4823 Old Kingston Pike; attendants will be available to assist guests. Visitors should be prepared to walk the quarter-mile path leading from the parking area to the House and lower Grounds. The trails that lie behind the House can be steep in places; appropriate footwear is advised.
Following the Grand Opening, the Eugenia Williams House will begin its regular hours of operation: The Grounds will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, with guided House tours on Thursdays and Saturdays by Laura Still of Knoxville Walking Tours; advance tickets are required.
The coming months will bring monthly lectures by the Knoxville History Project, a Knoxville Opera performance, a Tree Walk presented by the UT Agricultural Extension, and a Knoxville Museum of Art installation. Details can be found in the calendar.
Learn more at eugeniawilliamshouse.org.
Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our Free Newsletter.
