History

The Ivan Racheff House is a historical landmark, originally built in 1902, but was later modified by Knoxville Iron Works president Ivan Racheff for use as an office and apartment. Racheff Gardens was established by Ivan Racheff in 1947. Mr. Racheff donated the gardens to the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs in 1970 as a gift. The house is now used by the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, who maintain the gadens. A detailed history of the Ivan Racheff House and Gardens can be found here.

In 2003, The gardens and grounds was certified as a Level I Arboretum. In 2016, the arboretum was upgraded to a Level II Arboretum.