|
MHC News
New Commissioners: On August 21, the Metro Historical Commission
welcomed two new commissioners, Christopher Cotton and Michelle Hall.
Commissioners Cotton and Hall replace previous commissioners Alex
Buchanan and Bill Hardin, who we want to thank greatly for their
service. Commissioners Linda Wynn, Jim Hoobler and Clay Bailey were
reappointed and will serve through August 2022.
(front row L to R) MHC Commissioners Christopher Cotton, Michelle Hall, Linda Wynn and (far right) Jim Hoobler and Clay Bailey. Credit: Lynn Maddox.
National Register: At the August MHC meeting, commissioners approved National Register nominations for two Madison properties with ties to music history, Hank Snow's Rainbow Ranch and the Smith-Carter House, home to country music legend June Carter (Cash) and her Grand Ole Opry co-star Carl Smith. Both properties retain a strong sense of integrity and are part of the larger music history of Madison, where many important artists made their homes, including Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright.
Rainbow Ranch is a c. 1950 Transitional Ranch house with an intact recording studio that was active from c. 1953 to 1979. The property is significant not only as the best representative property for the Canadian country music star's productive life, but as one the first home studios in Nashville. The site of photos for many of Snow's album covers, this property retains a c. 1950 concrete block, gambrel-roof barn with colorful "Rainbow Ranch" mural and a wood footbridge.
View of Rainbow Ranch. Credit: MHC.
The
Smith-Carter House, constructed in 1925, is a rare local adaptation of
the Monterey Revival style, with stone wall cladding and Colonial
Revival influences. During her time associated with this property, June
Carter had a significant impact on the country music genre, not only
through her own work as a regular Opry performer and songwriter
(she co-wrote "Ring of Fire" at the nominated property), but also as the
major force in country superstar Johnny Cash's personal and
professional life that enabled him to become one of the most influential
artists within the American country music genre.
Both
National Register nominations will be considered and voted upon at the
September 19th State Review Board meeting in Memphis.
View of the Smith-Carter House. Credit: MHC.
Marker Project: Two new MHC historical markers were dedicated in August for Paradise Ridge (District 1) and Alexander Little Page Green (District 3). Both markers were placed with funding under the Marker Project and selected by their respective Council members. Thank you to Mayor David Briley and Metro Council for supporting the Marker Project that enables us to place these historical markers throughout Davidson County!
On August 22nd, the marker for Paradise Ridge was dedicated at Paradise Ridge Park in Joelton. District 1 Council Member Jonathan Hall was joined by Judge and former District 1 Councilman Nick Leonardo (marker sponsor) in unveiling the marker and recognizing individuals who helped this project come to fruition. Several Air Force veterans from the 799th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron that operated here in the late 1950s attended and were honored during the ceremony. We'd like to thank At-Large Council Member John Cooper and Rebecca Ratz and Tim Netsch of Metro Parks who all assisted with this project.
Former District 1 Councilman and Judge Nick Leonardo, Gary Moore, and District 1 Councilman Jonathan Hall. Credit: MHC.
Members of the 799th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron stand with the new Paradise Ridge marker. Credit: MHC.
A new historical marker for Alexander Little Page Green was also placed on August 24th at Alex Green Elementary School in Joelton. There was an excellent showing of support from MHC Commissioners Lynne Holliday, Lynn Maddox, and Linda Wynn. Several elected officials also attended and gave their support, including Vice-Mayor Sheri Weiner, State Rep. Brenda Gilmore, Council members Brenda Haywood (District 3) and Karen Y. Johnson (District 29), and Metro Public Works Commissioner Jennifer Gamble (District 3). Many supporters from the community, Alex Green alumni, and members of the Whites Creek Historical Society proudly participated in the event, which included an unveiling with Mr. C (the Vanderbilt Commodore and mascot) and Mark Hagewood, who portrayed Alex Green. We would especially like to thank Councilwoman Haywood, Alex Green Elementary School principal Robyn Beard, and Whites Creek Historical Society members Marsha Murphy and Angela Williams for all of their help with this project!
 |
Metro Council members Brenda Haywood and Karen Y. Johnson, Principal Robyn Beard, Rep. Brenda Gilmore, and Metro Public Works Commissioner Jennifer Gamble join members of the Whites Creek Historical Society and other community members in celebrating the new marker. Credit: MHC.
MHC Commissioners Linda Wynn, Lynn Maddox, and Lynne Holliday showed their support at the dedication. Credit: MHC.
MHZC news
The MHZC staff would like to share the following continuing education announcement for those who want to learn about home repair:
This September and October Nashville Community Education offers Basic Home Repair. Discover the basic tools and techniques you need to take care of your house. Learn how to repair a toilet, replace a faucet, install a sink, a garbage disposal, and other minor plumbing jobs, replace or install a simple electrical switch, a three‐way switch, a ceiling fan, simple electrical troubleshooting, drywall repair, and more. In the first three or four classes we will cover these skills and then go on to specific interests students might have such as laying tile, grouting, carpentry and more. More information and sign up instructions for these multi-week courses can be found through the Nashville Continuing Education catalog.
Nashville Sites is a free, mobile‐friendly website that combines an engaging platform and scholarly research with historically and culturally significant sites in Nashville and Davidson County. Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel is the project manager, and the Nashville Sites team of scholars and student interns has been hard at work this summer developing walking tours for the downtown area. The site is set up to provide as little or as much information as the individual user desires as residents and visitors alike explore our city’s history and its stories. Tour participants can also customize their tour as they go, using keyword online tags and QR codes—providing an individualized adventure‐style experience.
The Metro Historical Commission Foundation, The DISTRICT and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation are sponsors of Nashville Sites; however, there are many community stakeholders including: Humanities Tennessee, Belmont University, Vanderbilt University Center for Digital Humanities, Steve and Judy Turner, Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, Metro Archives, and the Metro Historical Commission.
Some of the Nashville Sites tour stops include War Memorial Auditorium, Legislative Plaza, Customs House, Southern Turf, Ward Seminary, and The Arcade. There is a current Beta test site, but the full site is scheduled to launch Fall 2019.
View of the bar at the Southern Turf Saloon. Credit: Metro Archives.
Historic Nashville Inc. (HNI) is seeking nominations for their annual Nashville Nine list of endangered historic properties. 2018 marks the tenth year that HNI has sought input from the public for the Nashville Nine program. The list includes nine historic properties nominated by the public that are threatened by demolition, neglect, or development. Over the years, Historic Nashville has successfully advocated for the preservation of landmarks that are “unmistakably Nashville” such as the Ryman Auditorium, Union Station, the Hermitage Hotel, and most recently, Fort Negley Park, which was the only property on the Nashville Nine list for 2017.
Submit nominations by Friday, September 7th to be considered for this year's list. Nomination forms are available here along with program information.
Nashville Public Television (NPT) recently aired the documentary "Voyage of Adventure: Retracing Donelson's Journey," featuring East Nashville photographer John Guider as he retraced the journey of one of Nashville's founders, John Donelson.
In his small, handmade boat, experienced rower Guider followed the same 1,000 mile route of Donelson's 1779 river voyage (starting in Kingsport, TN) that led to the founding of Nashville. The documentary features his own stunning photography and stories about the exploration, a journey that lasted 8 weeks. The full piece can be viewed here.
John Guider in "Voyage of Adventure." Credit: Nashville Public Television.
|
