Step into 1791 at the first capitol of the Southwest Territory. Rocky Mount is where Governor William Blount administered the federal territory that would become Tennessee — making this quiet hillside in Piney Flats one of the most consequential places in American frontier history. Costumed interpreters bring the Cobb family's working frontier farm to life with living history demonstrations, while the museum gallery traces the path from settlement to statehood. The farm itself dates to 1775, making it one of Tennessee's certified Century Farms, though the main house was built in the 1820s based on dendrochronology studies.

William Cobb settled this land around 1770, and by 1775 the farm was documented — later certified as a Tennessee Century Farm. In 1790, President Washington appointed William Blount as Governor of the Southwest Territory, the federal territory south of the Ohio River. Blount used the Cobb homestead as his base of operations from 1790 to 1792 while organizing the territory that would become the state of Tennessee in 1796. The current main house dates to 1826-28 per dendrochronology, replacing the original frontier structure. Rocky Mount was designated a National Historic Landmark and Tennessee State Historic Site.

Visitor Tips

• ›Arrive 15 minutes before a tour departure for the best experience
• ›Wear comfortable walking shoes — the outdoor tour covers uneven ground
• ›The museum gallery is excellent even without the outdoor tour
• ›Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor tours
• ›Ask interpreters questions — they stay in character and love engagement
• ›Allow 90 minutes total: 1 hour tour plus museum and gift shop

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