In 1986, Irene Wills, a descendant of the Jackson family, developed a restoration committee for raising funds to restore the Belle Meade house to its late 19th century appearance.

The Preservation Ball, an annual black tie fundraiser, was held from 1985 to 1989 with proceeds going toward the restoration effort. An aid in the mansion restoration was a series of photographs commissioned by the Jackson family in 1900. Two images of the interior of the house documented original carpet patterns, furniture placement and original light fixtures. Before the restoration, the rooms were decorated with reproduction wallpaper and antique furnishings. The rooms were attractive although, they did not appear as they did in the late 19th century. Paint analysis determined that the dining room was painted a light pink color in 1892.This color was reproduced for the walls and ceiling. A carpet was installed matching the original pattern. Furnishings were returned to their 19th century locations and the room looks today as it did at the turn of the century. Many of the objects in the 1900 image of the main hall are in the Belle Meade collection today including the thoroughbred paintings on the walls and the empire style sofa.  Although the original sofa remained in the hall, the decoration of the room was drastically different before the restoration.

Main Hall, 1900

Main Hall, 1960

During the restoration, the reproduction wallpaper was removed and the walls and ceiling were painted gray as they were in 1883. The thoroughbred paintings were reinstalled in their original positions and the empire sofa was retuned to the room.

Main Hall, Today

Today, the Belle Meade house is an elegant Victorian home and appears just as it did in the late 19th Century.