History Gram - June 2020

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June 2020



MHC/MHZC NEWS


MHC News

Due to continued COVID-19 closures, the May MHC meeting was canceled. Please check our social media or contact us directly for updates about the June meeting.

The Metro Historical Commission Foundation (MHCF) website has a fantastic new look! The former website was recently updated with new photos and details about many of the projects supported by the MHCF. There are now several ways to easily support your favorite initiatives, like Nashville Sites or one of Nashville's historic family cemeteries. See the new and improved website here!

Nashville Sites has a new Historic Music Row tour! Written by MHC Commissioner Don Cusic, the tour focuses on an area from the Buddy Killen roundabout down to Grand Avenue. This tour packs in all the greatest hits and you will see historic studios and music businesses along this one-mile walk filled with the sights and sounds that made us Music City. All Nashville Sites tours now also offer virtual options!

Our new Instagram page, launched in honor of Preservation Month, has been a hit! We will continue to use the platform as an educational and outreach tool focused on Nashville's history and historic places. If you haven't already, be sure to follow us (@metrohistoricalnashville).

The City Cemetery has been a busy place this spring as repairs are being made, including the relaying of the brick walk to the Robertson family plot and the repairs to a number of gravestones, some of which were more recently damaged due to wind storms.

Staff continues to work with the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church (908 Monroe St.), a circa 1903 church badly damaged during the March 3rd tornado. Local architecture firm Allard Ward donated design services that produced architectural drawings to aid in rebuilding the church. Matt Hagerty of Construct, LLC. donated his time for structural engineering inspection services. The MHC is very grateful for the time and expertise donated by these providers!

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MHC Executive Director Tim Walker (R) and Matt Hagerty of Construct, LLC examine tornado damage at Hopewell Baptist Church. Credit: MHC.

Progress is also being made at the tornado-damaged Holly Street Fire Hall (1600 Holly Street). On May 21st, MHC Executive Director Tim Walker met with Kirk Doupe from The Tradesmen Group to approve the mortar color being used for the exterior masonry wall repairs. Here is a great shot of Kirk and his bricklayers hard at work on the repairs!

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Masonry repairs at Holly Street Fire Hall. Credit: MHC.

A new MHC historical marker was recently placed along Elm Hill Pike for the Brewery at Mill Creek, just west of Massman Drive. Donated by Scott Mertie and family, the marker is one of several that recognize the importance of breweries in Nashville's history. One side of the marker has text, while the opposite side features an etched 1815 Nashville Whig advertisement by Arthur Redmond, seeking the purchase of barley. The marker reads:

Arthur Redmond, a European brewer who immigrated to Nashville in 1815, established a brewery and bakery on Chicken Pike, now Elm Hill Pike. Situated along the east side of Mill Creek near Foster’s and Buchanan’s mills, he brewed porter and ale and baked “ship bread” with barley purchased from local farmers. In 1819, Redmond was awarded a U.S. patent for “brewing improvements.” After his death in 1823, Paul Bianchi took over operations until closing in 1825.

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New marker for the Brewery at Mill Creek. Credit: Fox17 News.

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1815 advertisement on new marker for the Brewery at Mill Creek. Credit: Fox17 News.


MHZC news

 The MHZC staff is staying very busy as applications for work in local districts haven't slowed from the pandemic. The MHZC’s June public hearing will be on Wednesday, June 17th at 2:00 p.m. Please contact MHZC staff, check our website or check our Facebook page for meeting updates, as access may change based on COVID-19 response measures.

View the MHZC meeting schedule and application deadlines here. Access archived videos of the MHZC meetings on the Metro YouTube channel anytime!


Meet Our New Nashville Sites Interns!


As Nashville Sites continues to grow and develop more content for its online platform, the MHC is excited to welcome several summer interns that will be assisting in research and building of new tours! Be sure to check the Nashville Sites website often, as new tours will be rolled out later this summer.

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Marley Abbott, submitted photo.

Marley Abbott is in her final semester of coursework to receive her Master of Arts degree in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University. After interning with Nashville Sites last summer, Marley took on the role of Social Media Coordinator in December 2019, and is now transitioning to the role of Director of Marketing and Information. She previously worked at the Albert Gore Sr. Research Center and the Tennessee State Museum. In addition to her marketing tasks, Marley will also assist with researching and writing tours and mentoring the newest Nashville Sites interns. Congratulations Marley!

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Olivia Olafsson, is a rising sophomore majoring in History at Tufts University in Boston. Born and raised in Nashville, she graduated from The Harpeth Hall School in 2019. Olivia will combine her passion for history with her love for bluegrass music to research and write Nashville Sites' newest country music tour. Glad to have you with us, Olivia!

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Janet Briggs, submitted photo.

Janet Briggs is a rising senior at The Harpeth Hall School. A native Nashvillian, Janet has a passion for history and research, and enjoys exploring the city as she puts those talents to use. Janet will be working with other interns and Vanderbilt PhD candidate Kayleigh Williams to research, write, and map our "Hidden History and Haunts" tour this summer. Welcome aboard, Janet!

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Bushra Rahman, submitted photo.

Bushra Rahman is a third-year student at Emory University studying Anthropology as well as Spanish and Portuguese. Bushra loves exploring and learning more about her home city, and is passionate about understanding the world through diverse cultural and social contexts. She is a copy editor of Emory's Undergraduate Medical Journal, involved in Residence Life, and volunteers for an interpreting service in Atlanta. This summer Bushra will work with our other interns to research, write, and map the "Hidden History and Haunts" walking tour. Glad to have you with us, Bushra!


Metro FY2021 Budget


If you want to keep on top of Metro Council's budget process, their schedule follows:

Metro Council's Budget Process FY2021

Tuesday, June 2: Public hearing and second reading of budget ordinance

Thursday, June 4: Budget Committee work session

Monday, June 8: Budget Committee work session

Thursday, June 11: Budget Committee work session (tentative)

Monday, June 15: Budget Committee meeting

Tuesday, June 16: Third and final reading of budget ordinance

Thursday, June 18: Budget Committee meeting (if budget is deferred)

Tuesday, June 23: Budget Committee meeting (if budget is deferred)

Tuesday, June 23: Third and final reading of budget ordinance (if budget is deferred)

Metro Council has until June 30th to pass a budget. The Council can amend the Mayor's budget, propose their own substitute budget or like last year not come to an agreement and then the Mayor's budget goes into effect automatically. Learn more about Metro's budget process here.

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Upcoming Historical Marker Dedications


The MHC is working to plan a virtual unveiling for the new historical marker at Lock 2 Park. A dedication is tentatively planned for Wednesday, June 24th. Watch our social media for more info and for the streaming link later this month!

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Lock 2 lockmaster's house, 1937. Credit: USACE.


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History Exhibits and Programs at the Nashville Public Library


Metro Archives' most recent blog showcases several historic slideshows in celebration of National Photography Month. Learn about Nashville's medical past, flood history and just for fun, our city's baseball past.

For more virtual Nashville history, don't forget about Metro Archives "Back In the Day" podcast!


What's happening in Metro Parks? 


As of Tuesday, May 26th, Metro Parks has re-opened several parks facilities previously closed due to COVID-19. The facilities-- community centers, tennis courts, nature centers, golf clubhouses, the Centennial Sportsplex, and the Parthenon-–will reopen with limited capacity and guidelines established by the Metro Public Health Department, Center for Disease Control, and the National Recreation and Park Association. Get the full details on this Phase 2 Reopening here!

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Geese roam in a Nashville park. Credit: Metro Parks Facebook.


Upcoming Events at Fort Negley


In case you missed it, the 9th Annual Fort Negley Memorial Day ceremony can now be viewed online.

Missing trips to Fort Negley? You can explore the history and beauty of the fort anytime through the Nashville Sites Fort Negley tour!

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

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Entrance to Fort Negley. Credit: MHCF via Nashville Sites.

Fort Negley update: Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research (TVAR) began Phase 2 archaeology on June 1st, and they will be out at the site for approximately two weeks. This work was funded through a grant from the TN Civil War National Heritage Area, 4% monies from Metro, a Crowdrise Campaign started by MHC Commissioner E. Thomas Wood, the MHC Foundation and the generosity of a few local individuals. This work will supplement the Cultural Landscape Report, and its findings will be incorporated as an addendum in late summer.


Federal Preservation Grants Announcement


In May, the Tennessee Historical Commission announced 35 federal historic preservation grants totaling over $839,000. Four of the awarded grants are for projects in Davidson County. As one of just nine Certified Local Governments receiving funds this grant cycle, the Metro Historical Commission's application is among the awarded projects.

The MHC's proposal includes a conditions assessment and repair recommendations for two c. 1910 concrete bridges and two architectural follies located in the National Register-listed Centennial Park, including the Gunboat Tennessee monument (1910) and Shell Spring (1906-1912). Additionally, the project includes a conditions assessment and repair recommendations for the Parthenon (c. 1920-1931). The grant award is for $17,400 which will cover 60% of the project expenses.

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Shell Spring. Credit: MHC.

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Gunboat Tennessee. Credit: MHC.

Other awarded projects within Davidson County include: Andrew Jackson Foundation, $30,000 to fund the laser cleaning of the Jackson tomb at The Hermitage; City of Belle Meade, $14,000 to fund a survey of historic resources; and Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art, $40,000 to fund the restoration of historic stone steps at the National Register-listed property. Congratulations to the other Davidson County grantees!


Updates from Two Rivers Mansion


Restoration and preservation work continues with a much needed trim of the boxwood garden that was completed back in February. This work was done courtesy of Parks horticulturist Randal Lantz and one of the Parks grounds crews. It’s a little stark at present but it should be looking very good once the spring growth fills in.

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Two Rivers Mansion boxwood garden. Credit: Friends of Two Rivers Mansion.

The Tennessee Agricultural Museum located an article about an 1860's Doctor's Carriage that was donated to the mansion. Thanks to a photo from the article, the carriage has been properly restored. Friends of Two Rivers Mansion Board Member Joe Carrillo and staff member Laura Carillo worked to complete this project and the carriage will be ready to make its debut into the community at this year’s edition of the Donelson- Hermitage Christmas Parade. This is a significant addition to the Mansion collection!

To see the many great ways to support the Friends of Two Rivers Mansion, visit their online shop!


Changes for the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society


The 28-year-old nonprofit Battle of Nashville Preservation Society (BONPS) has a new name, new logo and a new comprehensive plan! Now named the Battle of Nashville Trust (BONT), the organization works to protect and interpret the hallowed ground associated with what remains of the extensive historic battlefield. Learn more about these exciting new changes on their updated website!

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Cannons in wooded area. Credit: Battle of Nashville Trust.


EVENTS THIS MONTH


Tennessee State Museum--Dr. Carole Bucy - Working Together for the Greater Good: Tennessee’s Voluntary Associations of Women--June 4

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens--Dog's Night Out--June 4, 11 & 18

Tennessee State Museum--Dr. Beverly Bond- Tennessee Women during the Civil War/Reconstruction Period--June 11

Frist Art Museum--(Online) Art After Dark--June 18

Tennessee State Museum--Dr. Mary Evins - The Right Side of History: Civic Activism of Tennessee Women Before Suffrage--June 18; Dr. Miranda Fraley-Rhodes- Tennessee Women in the 1920s: A Transformative Decade?--June 25

Tennessee State Library and Archives--The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Tennessee Timeline

Historic Travellers Rest--Eras of History: Early America and Mound Builders

(Free Webinar) Heritage Tourism and Museums: Collaborating for Success--June 9

Cumberland River Compact River Talks--Archaeology All Around Us: An Interview with Pre-historic Archaeologist Aaron Deter-Wolf; Nashville's Stories: An Interview with Dr. Carole Bucy

National Trust for Historic Preservation--(Free Webinar) Communicating and Fundraising for Preservation in a Time of Uncertainty


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You can now support the Metro Historical Commission Foundation through your everyday purchases on Amazon! Shop using AmazonSmile and a portion of each purchase will go towards preservation projects in Nashville and Davidson County.


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.