for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities for use by the residents of Maury County. Today, the rectory is operated as a historic house museum. In addition, a small cottage that Reverend Smith used as a study survives to this day. Events are held twice annually which recreate the educational experiences of young women at the female institute. Architectural significance The Athenaeum Rectory features elements from a variety of architectural styles: Gothic, Moorish, Greek Revival, Italianate, and others. The structure was designed by Adolphus Heiman, an architect of the early 19th century who designed many buildings in the Middle Tennessee area. Nathan Vaught, a master builder from Maury County, was responsible for construction of the building. The renovated home is open for guided tours. Notable people Bessie Alexander Ficklen (1861–1945), writer, poet, artist In popular culture Television The Athenaeum was featured as a haunted location on the paranormal series, Haunted Live which aired in 2018 on the Travel Channel. The paranormal team, the Tennessee Wraith Chasers investigated the former headmaster's house, which is said to be haunted. References External links Middle Tennessee: Hood's 1864 Campaign, Civil War Traveler website Portrait of Rev. Franklin Gillette Smith, Tennessee Portrait Project (National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Tennessee) Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Tennessee Defunct private universities and colleges in Tennessee Houses in Columbia, Tennessee Female seminaries in the United States Historic house museums in Tennessee Museums in Maury County, Tennessee Moorish Revival architecture in Tennessee Gothic Revival architecture in Tennessee Houses completed in 1837 National Register of Historic Places in Maury County, Tennessee Polk family