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The Smith-Carter House on Gibson Drive in Madison. Credit: MHC staff.
MHC news
National Register: Metro Historical Commission staff have been working with the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation on a draft of the Smith-Carter House nomination, to be submitted to the SHPO in June. The home of June Carter, where "Ring of Fire" was penned, the property includes a c.1925 Monterey-style stone house, along with a barn and several outbuildings. Located in Madison off Gibson Drive, the property is protected with a historic landmark overlay and will be recognized with an MHC historical marker later this year.
Historical Markers: In early May, staff met with the Mayor's Office of New Americans Advisory Council to discuss ways to recognize Nashville's immigrant communities and heritage through the Historical Marker Program. The advisory council is working with MHC to identify groups and places that have had a significant impact on Nashville's history that will meet the program criteria. The GranDale marker (District 29) dedication ceremony has been scheduled for Sunday, July 8 at 200 Nashboro Blvd.
Marker Project: Several markers being funded through the Council District Marker Project were ordered through vendor SEWAH in May. These markers are expected to arrive in August, with dedication ceremonies to follow (TBA): Paradise Ridge, Riverside Hospital/Dorothy Brown, May-Granbery House and Alford Cemetery, Alex Little Page Green, Cora Howe/Eastland, Smith-Carter House, Odom's Tennessee Pride, and Old Hickory Works. Staff is currently drafting new text for Joy Floral Company (District 5), Old Hickory Works (District 11), Central State Hospital (District 13), Ravenwood (District 14), and Belair (District 15). Revisions to the markers for Heaton's Station (District 1), Site of First Store (District 19), and Devon Farm (District 34) are also underway.
MHZC news
The MHZC meeting for 6/20 will be back at the usual location, Sonny West Conference Center in the Howard Office Building, 700 2nd Avenue South. Some future meetings will be at other locations. Please check agendas, once posted, for meeting location.
Lorenzo Washington receives Achievement Award at 2018 Preservation Awards ceremony. Credit: Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County.
The 43rd Annual Metro Historical Commission Preservation Awards ceremony was held Monday, May 21st. Awards were given in several categories, including residential, infill, educational/institutional, commercial, and monuments & memorials. Jean Roseman, a leader in the promotion of Jewish History in Nashville, received the Fletch Coke Award. Lorenzo Washington was honored for his achievements, as a founder of significant African-American music production companies on Music Row and Jefferson Street, and who spearheaded efforts to preserve Club Baron, the last original live music venue on Jefferson Street. The Friends of Fort Negley advocacy and education group was honored with the Commissioners' Award for their efforts in protecting the historic resources at Fort Negley from the adverse impacts of a proposed redevelopment project on the former Greer Stadium site (the proposal was eventually withdrawn). Noelle, a historic hotel located at 200 4th Avenue North, hosted the reception in their Saidee Gallery, a beautiful space that showcases recent renovations. Mayor Briley assisted in presenting the awards, and a photo gallery is now available. If you missed this year's awards, please visit Metro's YouTube channel to view the ceremony in its entirety.
For more information on the awards, please visit Preservation Awards or email scarlett.miles@nashville.gov.
 The Geist Forge Building at 311 Jefferson Street, received an award in the Commercial category for adaptive reuse.
 Percy Warner Park received an award in the Monuments and Memorials category for the restoration of the sandstone entrance gate, constructed in 1932.
 Lucinda's House, a former servants' quarters located at Historic Idlewild, received an award in the Residential category for a recent comprehensive rehabilitation.
View of Demonbreun's Cave from the Cumberland River.
Credit: Caroline Eller, MHC.
Have you ever toured the historic resources of Nashville from the waters of the Cumberland River? Unique and unobstructed views of many significant historic sites and structures between Shelby Park and downtown can be had with ease from a kayak or other small watercraft. Take a quick "tour" of some hidden gems along the river, spotted during a paddle over Memorial Day weekend!
Demonbreun's Cave, associated with one of Nashville's earliest settlers and legendary figures, Timothy Demonbreun, is situated within a rocky river bluff that provided him with shelter during attacks sustained on hunting expeditions. The cave was listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1980.
The 1948 U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center, a National Register-listed building located at the edge of Shelby Park, was designed by Nashville architect Edwin Keeble. While the Nautical Moderne building (which resembles the prow of a ship) can be seen from the water, the best view can be had from Davidson Street upon entering the park from the west. An excellent example of both programmatic and mimetic architecture, the building functioned as a "hut armory" and training center for the Navy during the post-WWII era.
Part of the NRHP-listed Omohundro Water Filtration Complex District, the Omohundro Waterworks Intake Tower is situated 1,700 feet upstream from the complex and can be viewed easily from the water. The intake tower, which looks similar to a lighthouse, rises 75 above the water and stands on a limestone base. The tower, which is not open to the public, retains brick arched window openings and a one-story brick compartment.
View of Omohundro Waterworks Intake Tower. Credit: Caroline Eller, MHC.
Closer to downtown, the river offers excellent views of the Shelby Street Bridge (or Sparkman Street Bridge), listed in the NRHP in 1986 and now functioning as the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Comprised of 48 spans, the structure was designed by Howard M. Jones and built between 1907 and 1909 by the Foster-Creighton-Gould Company for Davidson County. At a span of 3,150 feet, the project's engineer described the innovative steel-and-concrete bridge as a "pin-connected Pratt truss type, with inclined top chords." The structure took nearly two years to complete, but was needed to offer residents additional connections between East Nashville and downtown.
Finally, just beyond the bridge one can attain great views of the warehouses along 1st Avenue North, part of the NRHP-listed Second Avenue Commercial District. This area developed post-Civil War, when Nashville experienced steady growth as a center of trade and manufacturing. Many of these multi-story brick edifices retain historic details like half-round Italianate window openings, hood molds, and brick corbelling. The river views offer a glimpse of one of the most intact historic districts in the city.
 River view of Second Avenue Historic District. Credit: Caroline Eller, MHC.
Fort Negley Fossil Finders will meet June 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1100 Fort Negley Blvd. Come out to enjoy hands-on fossil activities and fossil hunting alongside genealogists and other experts who will help guide your search and answer questions. Dig into the fort's important history!
The Nashville Civil War Roundtable will be held June 19 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fort Negley Visitors Center. Author and historian Aaron Astor will present "The Civil War on the Cumberland Plateau." Additional meetings for July, August and September have been posted and all meetings are free to attend.
 Fossil Finders group at Fort Negley. Credit: Living Local Nashville.
 This summer, Old Hickory will host a variety of events in celebration of the centennial of its founding. From June 1-3, the community will host a weekend of tours, music, fireworks, a parade and a Village Bazaar. Old Hickory Country Club will host a dinner and art show that will showcase historic photos and original art that will be sold as part of a fundraiser for a local community assistance organization. Plans for the Community Center renovation will be revealed in a ceremony that will include speeches from local dignitaries. In lieu of a time capsule, the community has opted for a locally-commissioned mixed-media art piece that will incorporate donated historic artifacts. A detailed schedule of events can be accessed here.
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"Back to Cuba"--MHC Foundation fundraiser at historic Grassmere--June 7
Cumberland River Compact--Waterfest at Cumberland Park--June 8
Bellevue History & Genealogy Group-- “Churchill Didn't Have a Tin Ear: Winston Churchill's Love of Music” talk with MHC Commissioner Don Cusic--June 8
Centennial Park--Nashville Symphony Community Parks Concert--June 12
Bellevue History & Genealogy Group --"Turner at Twilight" Dinner & Concert--June 14
Metro Planning Department--East Nashville Plan/Highland Heights policy update--June 14 (regular meeting)
The American Artisan Festival--June 15-17
Cheekwood--Summer Stable Party--June 22
Belle Meade Plantation--"Journey to Jubilee" exhibit unveiling--June 23
The Hermitage--Researching your African-American Genealogy workshop--June 23
TN Agricultural Museum--Summer Farm Camp--June 23 and 30
The Belcourt-- Straight Into a Storm: A New Rock Film about Deer Tick--June 25
Two Rivers Mansion--Nashville Symphony concert--June 26
Historic Travellers Rest Summer Camps--June (various dates)
The Parthenon--This is the Original and Only Harry Shepherd: African American Photography Pioneer exhibition--thru July 8
Historic Nashville--Behind-the-Scenes Walking Tour of Union Street--June 30th
We Shall Overcome: Civil Right and the Nashville Press, 1957-1968 at Frist Art Museum--thru October 14
Have a preservation-related event that you want us to include?
Send a message to Caroline.Eller@Nashville.gov.
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