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MHC News
Marker Project: We dedicated two new MHC historical markers in June. On June 3rd, a new marker recognizing the site of the Jewish Community Center Bombing was dedicated on West End Ave. near the 440 Greenway trailhead. The marker reads:
"At 8:07 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 1958 a bomb exploded at the Jewish Community Center at 3500 West End Avenue. The JCC, which was located here from 1952-84, often hosted community meetings aimed at desegregating Nashville’s schools and communities based on the Jewish values of equality and justice for all. Rabbi William Silverman received a call from the “Confederate Underground” claiming responsibility for the bombing. The JCC opened one day later to demonstrate its resilience."
We'd like to thank District 24 Council member Kathleen Murphy for selecting this marker topic. Many thanks also to Vice Mayor Jim Shulman, Council members Mina Johnson and Fabian Bedne, and MHC Commissioner Chris Cotton for being part of the dedication!
Councilwoman Kathleen Murphy speaks to the crowd at the dedication. Credit: MHC.
View of the new marker for the Jewish Community Center bombing. Credit: MHC.
On June 5th, we dedicated a new marker for Historic Bellevue. Council member Sheri Weiner selected this topic for the District 22 marker. A large crowd gathered for the dedication including descendants of the DeMoss family. MHC Commissioner Bob Allen, CM Weiner, former CM Charlie Tygert and Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy Napoli gave remarks at the ceremony. This marker is special because it has text on one side and a map on the reverse; the additional cost for this feature was funded by a donation from community member D.E. Ryan. The marker stands beside a pre-railroad granary building, now used as a masonic lodge. We'd like to thank CM Weiner and Commissioner Bob Allen for their hard work and support for this new marker! The marker reads:
"Belle Vue was the name Abraham Louis DeMoss gave the land he bought overlooking the Harpeth River in 1800. His gristmill and sawmill stood nearby. 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. In 1866 T.L. Herrin opened a general store and post office to the north. A two-story frame pre-railroad storage building now houses Bellevue Lodge No. 716."
Bob Allen speaking to a large crowd at the dedication. Credit: MHC.
View of the Historic Bellevue map. Credit: MHC.
At the June MHC meeting, the Commission discussed the election of officers. Commissioner Menié Bell has been reappointed for the Metro Historic Zoning Commission. Current MHC Chair Jim Forkum, who has been on the commission for 8 years (4 years as Chair), announced that he will step down in the coming months. We are very grateful for his service. Commissioner Dr. Clay Bailey has been appointed as the incoming MHC Chair and Commissioner Lynn Maddox has been appointed as Vice Chair. Congratulations to our commissioners, and thank you for your service!
MHZC news
The MHZC’s June public hearing will be on Wednesday, July 17th at 2:00 p.m. at the Bransford Board Room at 2601 Bransford Avenue. Please note- the August meeting will also be held at this alternate location.
View the MHZC meeting schedule and application deadlines here.
***COMMUNITY MEETINGS REGARDING OUTBUILDING DESIGN GUIDELINES***
The Metro Historic Zoning Commission is undertaking a project to revise the design guidelines for outbuildings in Neighborhood Conservation Zoning overlays. (This is part of a larger project to consolidate all neighborhood conservation zoning overlay design guidelines.) The project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee and in partnership with the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University.
On July 11, 2019, 6:00 p.m. at the Midtown Precinct, the consulting team of the Nashville Civic Design Center and Smith Gee Studio will introduce the team and the project and gather information from attendees regarding their expectations in terms of new construction of outbuildings in their neighborhood. A draft “plans book” of possible outbuildings is planned to be available in August with a final draft reviewed by the Commission at the September 18, 2019 public hearing. The timeline is based on the requirements of the grant funding.
Please add the following dates to your calendar:
August 14, 6:00 p.m., Lentz Public Health Center: review of draft plans book
September 18, 2:00 p.m., Sonny West Conference Center: public hearing to adopt plans book
For more information contact:
Robin Zeigler
Robin.zeigler@nashville.gov
615-862-7970
In April 2019, Davis Acker was appointed as the MHC's newest commissioner. He was born and raised in upstate South Carolina and attended nearby Clemson University for his undergraduate studies in history. After college, he taught high school literature in St. Louis as a part of the Teach For America program, where he met his wife who was also a TFA teacher. After leaving the classroom in 2011, he moved all around the country for both work and graduate school in urban history.
In 2017, Davis settled in Nashville with his wife and two daughters (his wife is a native Nashvillian). He now works at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in population health analytics, and looks forward to being an engaged member of the Historical Commission and the Nashville community as a whole. Welcome Commissioner Acker!
MHC Commissioner Davis Acker. Credit: Davis Acker.
This summer, MTSU student Marley Abbott is interning with the MHC. Marley earned her B.A. in History from UT Chattanooga in May 2017, graduating magna cum laude. She is currently working towards an M.A. in Public History at MTSU (expected graduation in 2020) with a concentration in Museum Management. Marley is currently a Graduate Research Assistant for the Albert Gore Research Center at MTSU and a Research Assistant for the Sumner County Museum in Gallatin. She also guides tours at the Tennessee State Museum. During her MHC internship, she is primarily assisting with research for the Nashville Sites project. Welcome Marley!
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