History Gram - June 2019

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June 2019



MHC/MHZC NEWS


MHC News

Preservation Awards: Thank you to all judges, participants and attendees of the 44th Annual Preservation Awards! The program was a wonderful success. In case you missed the event, you can now view the full program online.

Marker Project: May was a very busy month for historical marker dedications!

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On May 8th, a new historical marker honoring Elizabeth Atchison Eakin (1858-1936) was dedicated at Eakin Elementary School. Ms. Eakin was the first woman to join the Nashville City School Board. After her death in 1936, Eakin School was built using Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds. Thank you to District 18 Council member Burkley Allen for spearheading this project!

Just outside the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center along Jefferson Street, a new historical marker honoring the legacy of Dr. Matthew Walker, Sr. was dedicated on May 10th. Dr. Walker had an enormous impact on the community and was instrumental in starting the Meharry Neighborhood Health Center that would later carry his name. Thank you to District 19 Council member Freddie O'Connell and Dr. Walker's family and friends who supported this new marker!

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(L to R) District 19 Councilman Freddie O'Connell, MHC Commissioners Menie Bell and Linda Wynn, Jessica Reeves (MHC), Monica Walker, Candace Koney, M.D., and Anna Walker.

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A new historical marker for Marathon Motor Works was also dedicated on May 10th. This marker replaces the first (erected in 1970) and has expanded information on William Collier, the engineer credited with Marathon's success. Thank you to District 19 Council member Freddie O'Connell and Marathon Village owner Barry Walker for their support and guidance with this marker!

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May Hosiery Mills has a new historical marker, dedicated on May 22nd. Opened in 1908 by Jacob May and family, May Hosiery Mills was one of the largest employers in Nashville in the early 20th century. It employed many Jewish refugees that the May family helped flee Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Thank you to District 17 Council member Colby Sledge and members of the May family for helping us recognize this important piece of Nashville history!

Kenner Manor Historic District was recognized with a new historical marker on May 23rd. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016, the neighborhood includes many houses built in the 1920s. The Kenner Manor Neighborhood Association sponsored this marker. Thank you to preservationist Phil Thomason for his work on this project and District 24 Council member Kathleen Murphy for supporting this marker!

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Members of the Kenner Manor Neighborhood Association and CM Murphy dedicate the new marker. Credit: MHC.

On May 28th, a new historical marker for Hillwood Estates was unveiled. Members of the Hill and Caldwell families gathered to celebrate this piece of West Nashville history. The Hill family, including Horace Greeley Hill, Sr., his wife Mamie and their son H.G. Hill, Jr. bought land around their home (Cliff Lawn) that was developed into the Hillwood Estate subdivision. The neighborhood includes an elementary and high school, Hillwood Country Club and Hillwood Presbyterian Church that are all named for Hill. Thank you to District 23 Council member Mina Johnson and the Hill and Caldwell families for supporting this new marker!

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Members of the Hill and Caldwell families dedicate the new marker. Credit: MHC.

A new historical marker was recently placed for the Freedman's Bank/Duncan Hotel. The marker is located at the southeast corner of 4th Ave. N and Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. The Nashville branch of the national Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Bank was chartered in Dec. 1865. Federal mismanagement and corruption led tot he closure of all branches in 1874. The Duncan Hotel opened on this site in 1889 but closed in 1916. The building later housed the first Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) for Black men and was located in the heart of the African-American business district.

At the May MHC meeting, the Commission approved a new marker for Crieve Hall (District 26). The Crieve Hall neighborhood was part of the 2000-acre estate owned by John Overton, who built Travellers Rest in 1799. An English Tudor house, built in 1900 by Jesse Overton, was purchased and expanded by Herbert Farrell in the 1920s. Farrell renamed the estate "Crieve Hall" after his family's ancestral home in Northern Ireland. The home was razed in the 1950s.

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Overton Hall, later known as the Crieve Hall estate. Credit: Nashville Public Library.


MHZC news

 The MHZC’s June public hearing will be on Wednesday, June 19th at 2:00 p.m. at the Sonny West Conference Center. The application deadline is June 3rd at noon.

View the MHZC meeting schedule and application deadlines here.


SPOTLIGHT: Economic Impact Study of Preservation in Nashville


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In May 2019, an Economic Impact Study of historic preservation activities was completed, the first of its kind for Nashville. This two-phase study includes a data-driven analysis and an accompanying incentives report which will incorporate local case studies, interviews and statistics. The analysis uses the goals and principals from the NashvilleNext plan as a framework in order to connect to other Metro and community efforts and identify how historic preservation achieves those goals. This study evaluates social impacts, demographics, property values, economic prosperity, tourism and cultural heritage, accessibility, education advancement and sustainability in Nashville’s historic areas.These reports are intended to demonstrate the importance and impacts of historic preservation to a wide range of stakeholders, and offer recommendations for how preservation-based incentives and strategies are a vehicle for sustainable growth, equitable development and increased quality of life. Read the full analysis report online.


Fort Negley Recognized as UNESCO Site of Memory


Tuesday, May 21st was an incredibly important day for Fort Negley and all those who have fought tirelessly for its preservation. Designated as 1 of only 4 U.S. "Sites of Memory" on the UNESCO Slave Route Project, Fort Negley stands as one of our nation's treasures and perhaps the site most closely connected to the full history of African Americans in Middle Tennessee.

Dr. Angela Sutton, a post-doctoral fellow in Vanderbilt University’s College of Arts and Sciences and the co-director of the Fort Negley Descendants Project, has spent her career studying the history of slavery and the resistance to it within the Atlantic world of Europe, Africa and the Americas. Sutton prepared the nomination, working with the Friends of Fort Negley Park and NAACP Nashville while leaning on research conducted by generations of African-American thinkers and scholars.

Commissioner Chris Cotton, Dr. Angela Sutton and Dr. Lea Williams were among the wonderful speakers at the formal announcement. Meanwhile, demolition on Greer Stadium is nearly complete, which will allow for the development of a public space that will honor the memory of those who built the fort and in turn some of Nashville's historically African American neighborhoods.


Music Row Named on National Trust 11 Most Endangered List


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On Wednesday, May 30th the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Nashville's Music Row was named to its 2019 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This annual list spotlights important examples of our nation's architectural and cultural heritage that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage. Read the full press release and learn how you can voice your support for protection of Music Row.

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Remembering May Dean Eberling


Our hearts are heavy as we remember our friend and first executive director (appointed in 1973), May Dean Eberling who passed away on May 28th. As an innovative, energetic advocate for preservation, she helped save many of Nashville's iconic landmarks and neighborhood treasures. She will be greatly missed.

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During her tenure as the MHC's executive director, May Dean laid the foundation for the commission's ongoing support of and work with neighborhoods, initiated tours, festivals, and conferences that continue today, oversaw the rehabilitation of numerous significant buildings, e.g., the Customs House and Two Rivers Mansion, and created a professional city historic preservation office. When she became the Community Services Director at WTVF in 1982, she continued her commitment to Nashville's historic resources, advancing the cause of preservation via the media. She brought wisdom and energy through community service, as a mentor and member of boards such as the Ladies Hermitage Association and the Nashville Civic Design Center.

"Her love of history, education and the preservation of all things beautiful made May Dean who she was."


Upcoming Historical Marker Dedications


Please join us for the the following marker dedication ceremonies:

--Monday, June 3rd at 5:15 p.m.: Jewish Community Center Bombing. At 8:07 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 1958 a bomb exploded at the Jewish Community Center at 3500 West End Avenue (located there from 1952-1984). The JCC often hosted community meetings aimed at desegregating Nashville’s schools and communities based on the Jewish values of equality and justice for all. The dedication will be held at the marker, on West End Ave northeast of Elmington Ave at the 440 Greenway. Reception to follow at the Congregation Sherith Isreal (3600 West End Ave).

--Wednesday, June 5th at 4:45 p.m.: Historic Bellevue. The Bellevue area was named for the c.1800 estate of Abraham DeMoss. When the Nashville-Northwestern Railroad cut its line to Kingston Springs in 1855, Bellevue became the hub of this area with a railroad depot, blacksmith shop and livery stable. A two-story frame pre-railroad storage building now houses Bellevue Lodge No. 716. The ceremony will be held at 7420 Old Harding Pike.

--Friday, June 21st, time TBD: Club Baron. Jefferson Street developed as a vibrant African-American commercial district in the late-19th and early-20th century. Built in 1955 during the golden age of Jefferson Street’s music scene (1935-65), Club Baron is the only extant nightclub from that time. The building also housed the only skating rink in town for African Americans. The club is best known as the site of a 1963 guitar duel where Nashville bluesman Johnny Jones bested the up-and-coming Jimi Hendrix. The ceremony will be held at 2614 Jefferson Street. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates about the time of the ceremony!


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History Exhibits and Programs at the Nashville Public Library


June 7--Bellevue YMCA--First Friday at the Archives--12:30 p.m.

June 13--Hermitage Library--Unsolved Mystery Discussion Group--10:30 a.m.

June 15--Green Hills Library--Tracing Your Roots--10:30 a.m.

June 22--Hermitage Library--American Revolution and War of 1812 Genealogy Workshop--2:00 p.m.

Congratulations to East Branch Library which celebrated its centennial on May 8th!


What's happening in Metro Parks? 


Come out to Centennial Park June 14-16 for the 45th Annual American Artisan Craft Festival. The festival showcases high quality contemporary crafts and fine art from 150 artists from 35 states. Free admission, food and drink vendors and kids activities included!

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The U. S. Naval Band performs 5 p.m., June 5th at Southeast Park in Antioch and 4 p.m., June 8th at Public Square Park. Both performances are free and open to the public.

The second 2019 Full Moon Pickin' Party at Warner Parks will be Friday, June 21st from 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. All funds raised by the Pickin’ Parties go toward protecting the Parks as well as funding educational programs and special projects.

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Warner Parks Pickin Party. Credit: Friends of Warner Parks.


Upcoming Events at Fort Negley


Keep up with all recurring and special events on Fort Negley's Events page!

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The Nashville Civil War Roundtable will meet on Monday, June 17th at 7:00 p.m. at Fort Negley. Author and historian Brad Butkovich will present "The Battle of Allatoona Pass: The First Battle of Hood's Tennessee Campaign."

Fort Negley's popular Fossil Finders event will be held Saturday, June 8th at 10:00 a.m. Join experts and history enthusiasts in free fossil hunting activities!

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Signage at Fort Negley with skyline in background. Credit: Fort Negley Park.

The Crowdrise campaign to help fund archaeology at Fort Negley still needs your support! The Metro Historical Commission Foundation is working with the Metro Historical Commission and Metro Parks to raise funds for this project that will provide critical insight to the role of African Americans in building the fort and their nearby community. Learn more and donate to this project here.


EVENTS THIS MONTH


Tennessee State Museum--Tennessee's 223rd Birthday Celebration--June 1; Lunch & Learn: The Innovation of African American Music--June 12

Jackson State Community College--Discover Tennessee History Conference: Stories, Strategies, and Sources--June 4

Belle Meade Plantation--75th Anniversary of D-Day--June 6; Juneteenth Celebration--June 22; "Interfering Women: Boycott, Women's Rights, and Temperance Reform in the Volunteer State"--June 27

Bellevue History and Genealogy--"War, Memory, and the Gettysburg Reunion of 1913" with Dr. Thomas Flagel--June 7

Metro Archives--First Friday: Author Kurt Vetters, Freedom Spring--June 7

Two Rivers Mansion--Nashville Symphony Community Concert--June 9

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--Summer Stable Party--June 14

Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival--June 14-15

Buchanan Log House--Donelson Day--June 15

We Remember Nashville--Week of Remembrance--June 18-23

TN Agricultural Museum--Pickin' on the Porch--June 22

The Hermitage--Juneteenth Commemoration--June 22

Historic Nashville Inc.--Behind-the-Scenes Tour "Walking Back in Time" with Mary B. Williams and Frank Schwartz--June 22

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County--2nd Annual Symposium: Practical Preservation--June 29

Fort Negley--SEVENTEEN MEN Portraits of Black Civil War Soldiers--thru June 19

Civil Rights Movement Tour w/United Street Tours--Multiple Dates


COMING SOON


Fisk University--"The Original Fisk Jubilee Singers, Their Tour and Their Music" with Paul Kwami; "A History of Fisk University" with Dr. Reavis Mitchell--beginning July 9

Tennessee State Museum--Lunch & Learn: "Nashville to Havana"--July 17

Two Rivers Mansion--Quilt Exhibit--July 26-27

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--Songwriters Under the Stars--August 23-24


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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