A walk through the mid-19th-century Fite-Fessenden House in Lebanon lets you step back to a different era, where remnants of local history fill its rooms. Its owner, Sallie Barry Peyton Fessenden, stipulated in her will that upon her death in 1983, the house would become a museum celebrating the history of Lebanon and Wilson County. Now owned by the History Associates of Wilson County, it has been lovingly restored and updated by that nonprofit group in conjunction with the Margaret Gaston Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The president of the History Associates of Wilson County, James Jordan, has spent 50 years dedicated to finding and preserving this local history at the Fite-Fessenden House.
Jordan has Wilson County running through his veins, as his family heritage spans over 200 years in this area. He was born at the old Martha Gaston Hospital on College Street in Lebanon, and he has never moved away.
“The history of Wilson County is very dear to me,” he said. “All the branches of my family have Wilson County roots. I have six ancestors who were Revolutionary [War] soldiers who made their home in Wilson County. Many places in Wilson County bear my family ancestors’ names: Watertown, Suggs Creek, Callis Road, to name a few.”
Jordan grew up on his family’s farm, and he spent his childhood shadowing his grandfather Sullivan through the fields.
“He would tell me stories about our family history and of the community,” Jordan said.
Those stories planted a love of Wilson County history in his life, and it grew each year as he pursued his education locally. Jordan attended Leeville Elementary School, Lebanon High School, and Cumberland University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also studied organ at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, which led Jordan to become a university organist at Cumberland, where he still serves today. He worked at, and eventually retired from, LifeWay Christian Resources as well. All of this gave him an experiential edge when he began working on research and preservation in Wilson County.
His wife of 41 years, Judy Gaskin Jordan, recently retired as vice president of finance at Cumberland University and was named vice president of finance emeritus in April. They have two children — Lauren Pack, a second grade teacher, and Dr. Bradley Jordan, a university professor. The couple has also been blessed with five grandchildren. An interesting family connection is that Lauren’s husband is a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Leonard Fite, making the Jordan family’s connection to the Fite-Fessenden House even stronger.
Jordan’s involvement with the History Associates of Wilson County began 50 years ago this past April, when several founding members invited him to attend meetings and join the group. He was quickly elected secretary-treasurer, a position he held for many years before becoming board president in 2019.
Jordan has overseen a significant transformation at the Fite-Fessenden House. Early in the process, the Associates hosted fundraisers to support the house remodel.
“Our first fundraiser was truly a candlelight affair,” he said. “We had no electricity or water. The wallpaper was hanging down in places on the walls and ceiling.”
A $90,000 grant enabled major renovations, and improvements have continued over the years, including a new roof, new outdoor lighting, and, most recently, a modern kitchen that Jordan had been dreaming about for years.
“The new catering kitchen has been a real boost for us,” he said. “It supports Lunch and Learn events, receptions, classes, and wedding events.”
The board hosts historical exhibitions and events through its programming. The museum’s recent America 250 exhibit, celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday, brought in over 600 visitors. Another program, “Within These Walls,” invites members to research the home’s artifacts and share discoveries with the community, creating a collaborative project for locals.
“I think it has been a very successful project of researching our history, making so many connections we did not know, and sharing it with the community,” Jordan said.
One of the museum’s biggest current treasure hunts is the search for authentic photographs of Dr. James Fite, his wife, Emma, and their children. The museum currently has none. Fite descendants have visited in recent years, but so far, no old photographs have turned up.
“Hopefully, we will be successful in finding these photographs,” Jordan said.
The museum is open to tours, field trips, and visitors from all over. It is a rentable venue for events and receptions, and it will continue to expand its offerings as new artifacts are found.
“It is my hope that children can leave the Fite-Fessenden House with a greater knowledge and interest in how our past generations lived, how they were schooled, how they worked, and, in general, what daily life was like across various economic situations,” Jordan said. “How do you know where you are going if you don’t know where you have been?” GN
The Fite-Fessenden House is located at 236 W. Main St. in Lebanon. For tours, rentals, or to support the museum’s ongoing restoration needs, visit fitefessendenhouse.org or call (615) 484-0770.
