Cheekwood officials revealed plans to upgrade the gardens. The estate's board made the announcement Tuesday. The plans include adding a children's play area and for the first time since the original family lived there, the mansion will be open to the public.
The improvements came as part of a new $30 million Cheekwood Campaign to fund better endowments.
So far, $20 million have been raised with $5 million more promised.
"When Cheekwood realizes it's $30 million goal, which it undoubtedly will do, it will finally have in place the financial foundation it has lacked in the past but is needed to secure its future and its destiny as Nashville's own national treasure," said Jane Macleod.
The Cheekwood Mansion will open to the public in June.
