Experience History Outdoors
Located just three miles southeast of Lebanon, Sellars Farm State Archaeological Area is a significant Mississippian site in Middle Tennessee.
Today, Cedars of Lebanon State Park manages this 10-acre site. It preserves the remains of a thriving village that once stood here between AD 1100 and 1400.
What You Can Do Today
Stroll through the site and see the large platform mound, open village plaza, and traces of the palisade walls that once surrounded the community.
Along the way, signs share stories about how Mississippian people lived. Through these displays, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of daily life and cultural traditions.
The site’s quiet, open setting is ideal for reflection, photography, and spotting native plants and wildlife. In every season,the landscape offers something new to discover.
Explore a site that links directly to the larger Mississippian culture that once stretched across the Southeast. By visiting, you become part of a story that continues to shape Tennessee’s history today.
Why It Matters
Sellars Farm was a ceremonial center, protected by earthen walls and home to families, farmers, and leaders. Over time,archaeologists uncovered houses, burials, and artifacts that reveal a vibrant community with connections to other mound centers in the region.
In addition, the site yielded some of Tennessee’s most remarkable archaeological discoveries. Among these, the Tennessee-Cumberland stone statues stand out — two pairs of carved figures found in the early 20th century. Today, one of these sculptures is recognized as the official State Artifact of Tennessee and is displayed at the McClung Museum in Knoxville.