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MHC News
Marker Project: In December, the MHC dedicated a new historical marker for Rock City (District 7), an African American community established c. 1881 in present-day East Nashville. The First Baptist Church of Rock City was founded soon after and children from the community attended Rock City Elementary on Pennington Ave. until it closed in 1954. Mayor Briley and several MHC Commissioners attended the ceremony, along with members of the congregation. Thank you to Council Member Anthony Davis and members of the First Baptist Church of Inglewood for supporting the marker program!
Mayor Briley and CM Anthony Davis stand with Ramona Harding of South Inglewood Baptist and MHC Commissioners.
Also in December, two new privately-funded markers were dedicated for The Jungle and Juanita's and HCA Healthcare.
The Jungle and Juanita's were the first gay bars in Nashville. Demolished in 1983, the bars were located on Commerce Street near 7th Ave N. Nashville author John Bridges wrote the marker text and helped promote this important marker highlighting local LGBT history. A large crowd attended the ceremony, including Mayor Briley and Council Member Freddie O'Connell (District 18).
John Bridges with MHC commissioners Tom Wood, Jim Hoobler and Chris Cotton, Davidson County Historian Dr. Carole Bucy and CM O'Connell at the dedication.
HCA Healthcare (Hospital Corporation of America) was founded in 1968 by Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., his son Dr. Thomas Frist, Kr., and businessman Jack C. Massey. The original office was located in a house near Centennial Park and the present-day Sarah Cannon Research Institute. When founded, HCA was one of the nation's first hospital companies. HCA held an elegant dedication ceremony, attended by members of the founding families.
MHC commissioners Linda Wynn, E. Menie Bell, and Lynn Maddox with Dr. Carole Bucy and MHC staff Jessica Reeves at the dedication.
Thanks to all MHC commissioners who attended these dedications in support of the marker program!
At the December MHC meeting, 7 new historical markers were approved under the Marker Project. Three district markers are being funded for Elizabeth Atchison Eakin 1858-1936 (District 18), Cockrill Bend (District 20), and Club Baron (District 21). Four priority list markers are also being funded for Granny White Grave, Marathon Motor Works, Nashville School of Law, and Freedman's Savings and Trust Co. Bank/Duncan Hotel. Priority list markers are those that are damaged, missing or need to be updated. As of the end of 2018, 196 MHC historical markers have been placed across Davidson County.
MHZC news
The MHZC’s January public hearing will be on Wednesday, January 16th at 2:00 p.m. at the Sonny West Conference Center.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has allocated $5,000 from the Daniel K. Thorne Intervention Fund to help support a Heritage and Cultural Tourism analysis as part of an Economic Impact Study of preservation activities in Nashville and Davidson County. The grant is being matched by local funds through the Metropolitan Historical Commission Foundation.
Currently in progress with expected completion in spring 2019, the study will include a Part I analysis and Part 2 recommendations section that will address incentives. MHC staff has held two meetings with an advisory group and expects the analysis report to be delivered by early February, at which time the second phase will begin. This generous grant is being matched with donations gathered from local businesses and supporters in the community. Check the MHC page for updates and a copy of the report later this spring!
Awesome Without Borders (a program of The Harnisch Foundation) recently awarded a $1,000 grant to help support the Fort Negley archaeology campaign. After a career in Nashville as a news anchor, radio talk show host, and Op/Ed columnist, Ruth Ann Leach (now Harnisch) co-founded The Harnisch Foundation in 1998. Read more about her pioneering career here.
View of Fort Negley entrance. Source: Awesome Without Borders.
The Metropolitan Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for the 44th Annual Preservation Awards program. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 8, 2019. To learn more about the awards program and to download the nomination form or complete the online nomination form, please visit Preservation Awards or email Scarlett Miles.
Preservation awards plaques. Credit: MHC.
The Tennessee Historical Commission is currently accepting grant applications for federal preservation grants. These grants can be accessed for a wide variety of projects, including repair and restoration of historic buildings and structures, preservation planning initiatives, educational activities, and nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Grantees must provide a 40% match to the 60% federal share. Grant applications must be completed by January 31, 2019.
TDOT has announced the recent installation of two new interpretive panels at the site of the 1823 Nashville toll bridge site. The stone and wood bridge was constructed by the Nashville Bridge Company and was the first bridge over the Cumberland River in Nashville. In 1838, thousands of Cherokee people passed through Nashville on what was later known as the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee passed through public square then crossed the river on the toll bridge. With the exception of its stone abutments, the bridge was demolished in 1851. In recent years, research and documentation by the Native History Association, Historic Nashville, Inc. and the National Park Service brought to light the history of the ruins that stand near the Victory Memorial Bridge.
The panels focus on the significance of the bridge engineering and the role of the extant bridge abutment as the only known and authenticated bridge component remaining no a route of the Trail of Tears. TDOT hopes to hold an official unveiling ceremony for the installation in 2019. The signs are publicly accessible on a small viewing platform located along the river side of the Gay Street Connector, just east of the Davidson County Courthouse.
Interpretive panels at 1823 toll bridge. Credit: TDOT.
In Episode 10 of the Nashville Retrospect's podcast series, host Allen Forkum interviews Dr. Tom Kanon of the Tennessee State Library and Archives about his book, Tennesseans at War: 1812-1815. Other topics explored during the podcast include Richard Fulton's 1968 country music record and a story about the sulpher water at Werthan Industries.
Check out our online newsletter archives!
Have a preservation-related event that you want us to include?
Send a message to Caroline.Eller@Nashville.gov.
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