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The Metropolitan Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for the 45th Annual Preservation Awards program. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 13th at 5:00 p.m. To learn more about the awards program and to download the nomination form, please visit our Preservation Awards page or contact Scarlett Miles. Awards will be presented at a ceremony in May, stay tuned for further details!
MHC News
The MHC dedicated two new historical markers in February for the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church and Clark Memorial United Methodist Church. Thanks to all those who came out for these marker dedications!
Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church was formed in 1875 and its legacy continues today through Olive Branch Church, with locations in Nashville and Murfreesboro. This marker was funded by the Council district Marker Project and selected by District 33 CM Antoinette Lee. Thank you to CM Lee and the Cane Ridge Community Club, who opened their doors to guests for the ceremony!
The marker reads:
"In 1871, District 6 school commissioners John Briley, Benjiah Gray and Jason Austin bought one acre of land from James Thompson for an African American school. In 1873, African American members of the Benevolent Society of Olive Branch No. 38 established Olive Branch Cemetery. Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church (est. 1875) used the one-room school for services until the church was built. The church was re-built in 1971. Due to its condition, the school was demolished c. 1980."
Officials and members of the Olive Branch Church at the marker dedication. Credit: Jeffrey Webster.
(L to R) Pastor Windrow, Caroline Eller (MHC) and Council member Antoinette Lee with the marker. Credit: Jeffrey Webster.
Also in February, a new historical marker for Clark Memorial United Methodist Church was dedicated in celebration of their 155th anniversary. The ceremony was well attended by church members, civil rights activists and city officials among others. This marker, which focuses on the church's role in the Civil Rights movement, was privately funded by the church. Clark Memorial UMC is on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Thank you to Clark Memorial historian Marilyn Talbert and pastors Rev. Dr. Herbert Lester and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Williams for helping this marker come to fruition!
The marker reads:
"Founded in South Nashville in 1865, Clark Memorial moved to North Nashville in 1936 and to this location in 1945. The church was central to the Civil Rights movement in Nashville, with activist James M. Lawson conducting classes here in 1959 on non-violent protests. Lawson was a founding member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), whose Nashville members included students at American Baptist College, Fisk Univ., Tenn. A&I (now Tenn. State) and Vanderbilt Univ.
IN HONOR OF MATTHEW WALKER JR."
(L to R) Lynn Maddox, Clay Bailey, Dr. Phyllis Hildreth (American Baptist College), District 19 Council member Freddie O'Connell, Chakita Patterson, John Bridges, Jessica Reeves, Tim Walker, Menié Bell. Credit: MHC.
The 39th annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture was a huge success, with nearly 290 attendees! Thank you to the conference planning committee members, speakers, Tennessee State University and everyone who supported and helped make this conference happen. Special thanks to MHC commissioner Linda Wynn, TSU staff Kristie Green and MHC staff Jessica Reeves and Susie Pallas. In case you were unable to attend, you can now watch the full conference video online!
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On February 18th, staff from the MHC and MHZC attended a laser cleaning demonstration at the National Register-listed Stahlman Building. This technology is being used to safely remove tar from the limestone exterior walls and causes no damage to the historic materials. Using these lasers, the façade has been completely cleaned and restored over the past two months. Conservation of Sculpture and Objects Studio, Inc. spearheaded the work and has done similar projects in the U.S. and abroad for many historical documents, artworks, and buildings including the Jefferson Memorial, U.S. Supreme Court and President Andrew Jackson's tomb in Hermitage.
MHC and MHZC staff with members of the Tennessee Historical Commission, architects and others at the laser demonstration. Credit: MHC.
Detail of laser cleaning technique on the Stahlman Building. Credit: MHC.
MHZC news
The MHZC’s March public hearing will be on Wednesday, March 18th at 2:00 p.m. at the Sonny West Conference Center at Howard Office Building.
View the MHZC meeting schedule and application deadlines here. Access archived videos of the MHZC meetings on the Metro YouTube channel anytime!
The Tennessee Historical Commission (THC or TN-SHPO) recently released the newly-updated statewide historic preservation plan effective for 2019-2029. A federal grant from the National Park Service funded the plan update and local cultural resources firm New South Associates was contracted for the project. Topics covered include information on historic preservation planning tools, economic incentives, programs, grants and funding sources, partnerships, goals, strategies, and objectives, as well as information on demographics, certified local governments, success stories, challenges, and distressed counties.
As Tennessee's largest and fastest growing city, Nashville is well represented throughout the plan. New South's Senior Historian Robbie Jones stated, "This was a year long project and a lot of hard but gratifying work. This is the first time the TN-SHPO has ever outsourced the creation of the Tennessee Preservation Plan, so were very grateful for the opportunity to create a preservation planning document to make Tennessee proud." Be sure to check out the Executive Summary and full 168-page plan on the THC website!
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One of the most prominent religious organizations in Bellevue, the Bellevue Christian Church was organized in 1832- though its roots trace even earlier back into history. In 1854, the church divided due to different beliefs about the use of music in the church, leading to a Pasquo branch and a building that was located where today's church stands. One of MHC's newest historical markers honors Dr. A.I. Myhr who was State Evangelist and pastor at the church. In "Restoring Bellevue Christian Church," MHC Commissioner "Bellevue Bob" Allen details the church's long and interesting history.
If you aren't already familiar with Metro Nashville's YouTube channel, here is a great new reason to be! Over 80 videos are available on a playlist called "Nashville History" and include dozens of lectures and events covering all aspects of Metro government and area history. From Fort Negley to Jefferson Street to schools and the Civil War, these videos capture historians and Metro officials sharing tons of free, easily accessible historical content. The playlist is constantly updated so there is always something new to learn! Be sure to bookmark this playlist and watch these videos on your favorite devices.
Hastings Architecture, the new steward of the former Ben West Library, continues to gain national-level acclaim for their adaptive reuse of the iconic downtown Nashville Mid-Century Modern building. Located at 225 Polk Avenue, the Carnegie Main Library (later known as the Ben West Library) opened in 1965. Architect Bruce I. Crabtree, Jr. of Taylor and Crabtree designed it as a modernist take on the columnar style of the Athens of the South. The library was unique for its time because it not only served as storage for books but was very user-oriented with large windows and cozy reading spaces, all of which remain in place today. The MHZC designated the property as a local Historic Landmark in 2015. A recent article in Architectural Record provides in-depth details about the renovation and the building's new life.
View of common area in renovated Ben West Library. Credit: MHC.
Metro Archives has a fascinating oral history collection that has been digitized and is available online. The Paul Clements Collection-Nashville Oral History Heritage Project contains audio interviews of Nashvillians speaking about their everyday lives growing up in Nashville. Interviews took place in the mid 1980s and were conducted by students from Paul Clements' American History Class at The Ensworth School. Topics include life during the Great Depression and WWI, river flooding, South Nashville, Howard School, silent films and much more!
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