|
MHC staff continue to stay busy with several initiatives at the start of this new year. We are in the process of applying for a federal preservation grant through the Tennessee Historical Commission that would fund a countywide cemetery preservation plan. While this will be a multi-phase and multi-grant year project, MHC is applying for the maximum $40,000 to start the work. A second grant application with the National Park Service's Civil Rights Program is also underway and would fund a survey of sites associated with civil rights in Nashville from 1944-1966, an historical context document and related National Register of Historic Places nomination(s) MHC is applying for the program maximum of $50,000. An existing grant from the THC is also underway and focuses on activities related to planning and restoration of the Parthenon and other historic concrete structures in Centennial Park. The $17,400 grant covers 60% of project costs and is matched by a 40% share of donated funds from the Centennial Park Conservancy
Staff are excitedly planning for the 2021 Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture, a virtual event to be held Friday, February 12th from 9:00 a.m-1:15 p.m. See below for more details!
MHZC News
At its December meeting, the MHZC recommended approval of the YWCA building located at 201-213 7th Avenue North as a Historic Landmark District, and the MHZC adopted new design guidelines for Historic Landmark Districts. The proposed Haynes Heights Neighborhood Conservation District is scheduled to be heard by the MHZC at its February 17, 2021 meeting. Finally, MHZC’s historic preservation permit tracker went live in December. The tracker makes it easier to find out about both proposed and approved historic zoning projects.
The MHZC’s January public hearing will be on Wednesday, January 20th at 2:00 p.m. and will be a virtual meeting. Guidance regarding meeting access and submitting comments can be found on our Coronavirus Procedures page.
View the MHZC meeting schedule and application deadlines here. Access archived videos of the MHZC meetings on the Metro YouTube channel anytime!
For the past 40 years, the Metro Historical Commission and Tennessee State University have partnered for the Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture (NCAAHC). The 2021 NCAAHC will be held online Friday, February 12th from 9:00 a.m-1:15 p.m. This year's conference will be the first-ever virtual NCAAHC and is packed with many new presenters, engaging sessions and talented musical guests. Our theme this year is "40 Years of Science, Sites and Sounds."
Attendees will be treated to a thoughtful panel discussion with some of Nashville's foremost historians and a virtual tour of the Jefferson Street Sound (JSS) Museum, hosted by JSS Records CEO Lorenzo Washington. The $20 registration fee includes access to the half-day online event, a commemorative NCAAHC lapel pin and one (1) print and digital copy of the newly-revised Profiles of African Americans in Tennessee book showcasing all 40 years of illuminating conference profiles. Online registration is now open, please contact Caroline Eller with any questions. We hope you will join us in celebration the 40th annual NCAAHC!
 |
Our hearts go out to all the property and business owners and residents who have been affected by the Christmas morning explosion on Second Avenue. We are so thankful that there was no loss of life and only minor injuries. As Nashville's first National Register Historic District, this area is very important to telling the stories of our city's history and we will be here to help the community rebuild when ready.
A fund has been started to assist the affected property owners rebuild these historic gems. The District, Inc. and Metro Historical Commission Foundation partnered to create this program and are accepting community donations to help those in need. As noted by The District board chairman Kelly Kaplan, “This fund will help support the building owners of 2nd Avenue to restore their properties and allow them access to a centralized collection of resources to help them on the path to recovery." Learn more about the fund and donate here.
Damaged buildings at 170 2nd Ave North (above) and 215-217 2nd Ave North. Credit: MHC.
The MHC and MHZC are committed to helping those affected as much as possible. We've recently updated our disaster recovery page which offers several resources including funding opportunities. Staff have been out inspecting the damaged properties alongside architects and other Metro departments to determine next steps. In 1970, the Historic American Building Survey documented the area in detail- see those historic images here.
In late 2020, Dr. Brandon Owens of Fisk University recorded the long-awaited Fisk University and Meharry Medical College tour. Released in late December, the tour covers 21 stops related to significant buildings, events and people associated with these institutions, two of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation. Originally located downtown behind Union Station, Fisk was re-chartered and moved to North Nashville in 1867. Meharry's history dates back to 1876 when the first eleven students were admitted to Central Tennessee College's Meharry Medical Department. Be sure to explore this riveting new tour, either in person or from the safety of home!
Schematic drawing of the Cravath Library, 1929. Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
In late December, we lost two individuals who contributed greatly to the city we love. They were George Cate, Jr., former MHC member and Vice Mayor, and Kwame Lillard, a veteran civil rights leader and Freedom Rider who served on Metro Council.
Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and raised in East Nashville, George Harrison Cate, Jr. (1928-2020) is remembered for his long legal career and legacy of service and civic engagement. After graduating from Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Law School, Cate joined his father's legal firm and practiced law for 63 years until his 2014 retirement.
Cate also led a commendable military career, serving as an Army First Lieutenant and a Brigadier General with the Army Reserve. During the early 1960s, he was instrumental in the formation of the consolidated Nashville-Davidson County Metro Government system. Elected Metro Nashville's first Vice-Mayor, Cate served in that role from April 1, 1963 through January 1966. He held numerous leadership positions within Nashville's civic organizations, and served on the Metro Historical Commission from 2008 to 2014, during which time he received the MHC's Leadership Award in History (2013).
|
Veteran civil rights activist Kwame Leo Lillard (1939-2020) is the third such loss to Nashville in 2020, after the deaths of legends Rep. John Lewis and the Rev. C.T. Vivian on the same day last July. Lillard was one of the few known surviving participants of the 1960 Nashville sit-in protests that are still in Middle Tennessee. He worked alongside inspirational leaders Lewis, Vivian and Diane Nash to desegregate Nashville's lunch counters and was one of the original Freedom Riders.
Lillard continued to fight for peace, justice and equality in Nashville decades after the tumult of the 1960s civil rights movement. He advocated for a civil rights monument in downtown and his efforts ultimately resulted in the installation of the Witness Walls piece beside the Davidson County Courthouse. Each year since 1979, he and others gathered at the Nashville National Cemetery to honor U.S. Colored Troops and led the charge in getting a statue installed in their honor. Lillard is celebrated for these and many other contributions, including as an outspoken Metro Council member. He fought to save Fort Negley and spoke at the 2004 Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture.
|
Fisk University recently asked the MHC to support their application to the National Park Service's Cultural Heritage Stewardship Grant, a program which is dedicated to supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). MHC Executive Director Tim Walker wrote a letter in support of the grant and agreed to be on the team overseeing the award. Fisk is requesting $150,000 to hire a consultant to assess six historic buildings for life safety and security needs, building systems and historic strategies. Those structures include the John Wesley Work House, Dr. Charles Hadley House, Cravath Hall, Talley-Brady Hall, Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery and the Franklin Library.
Former Tennessee State University Associate Professor Dr. Harriet Kimbro-Hamilton, the daughter of Black baseball legend Henry Kimbro, authored a recently-released book about Nashville's African American baseball players. Home Plate: Henry Kimbro and Other Negro Leaguers of Nashville, Tennessee explores the history of the Negro Baseball League in Nashville and 18 local legends including James "Junior" Gilliam (Baltimore Elite Giants); Henry Kimbro (Nashville/Baltimore Elite Giants); Bruce Franklin "Buddy" Petway (Leland Giants); and Norman "Turkey" Stearnes (Nashville Elite Giants/Detroit Stars). The book was released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the League, whose players were also recently added to the official records of Major League Baseball. Learn more about the book's inspriation here.
|
|
