History Gram - March 2021

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March 2021



Preservation Awards 2021


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The Metropolitan Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for the 45th Annual Preservation Awards program, honoring Nashville's best preservation projects. Anyone may nominate buildings or structures that have been restored, rehabilitated, or carefully maintained over time. The awards also recognize well-designed new construction that harmonizes with a historic environment. To be considered, nominated properties must be in Davidson County and have an original construction date no later than 1971. Infill projects should be no older than 2019. All projects must have been completed within the past two years. Previous winners may be eligible if the work is significantly different.

The Metropolitan Historical Commission must receive all nominations by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021. A virtual awards ceremony will be held in May 2021.

For more program details and submission instructions, please visit our Preservation Awards page!


MHC/MHZC NEWS


MHC News

Research Projects: Staff researched the Parkwood Community Club baseball fields, located on Aldrich Lane, including the history of the property and ownership by the Parkwood Community Club.

Staff assisted District 8 Council member Nancy VanReece with the language of a resolution honoring Diane Nash for March's Women's History Month.

Staff provided the Davidson County Property Assessor’s office with information on properties with significance to African American history in Davidson County. These include Meharry Medical College, Citizens Savings Bank and Trust, Ted Rhodes Golf Course, and Cameron School. You can view these property histories on the Property Assessor’s Instagram account.

Preservation Incentives: Staff is working with District 15 Council member Jeff Syracuse, Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite, and Metro Trustee Erica Gilmore on BL-2019-3, legislation for a historic property tax abatement. This bill was indefinitely deferred after approval on second reading by Metro Council last year. As we work with those noted, we hope to get the support of the Mayor’s Office, Metro Finance and Metro Council, so that the program can be put in place later this year.

Street Name Change Report: MHC staff recently submitted a street name change report to Metro Council regarding the history of Carney Street for BL2021-622, an ordinance to rename Carney Street to “Bianca Paige Way." This news article details more about the proposal and life of Bianca Paige.

Representative John Lewis Way: MHC staff continues to assist at-large Council member Zulfat Suara and others with a planned celebration for the renaming of a portion of 5th Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way. That celebration is planned for July 17th. A historical marker for Rep. Lewis will come to the MHC next month and should be in place in time for the event. Check back for updates over the next few months!

Nashville City Cemetery: Staff oversaw the repairs and cleaning of eight damaged gravestones in the City Cemetery. This work was completed in January by mason Stephen Hutchins. MHZC is working with staff from the Metro Parks Department to assess and repair damage to the northwest corner stone pier of the perimeter wall along Oak Street near its intersection with 6th Avenue North. This album shows some of the dramatic before and after photos.

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Rachel Ward headstone, before and after recent repairs at NCC. Credit: Stephen Hutchins.


MHZC News

Repairs to the National Register-listed and locally landmarked Holly Street Fire Hall are scheduled to be completed by March. Some architectural features, that were not reusable in their original locations, have been salvaged.

The formal process of designation of the Haynes Heights neighborhood as a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District began with a public hearing at the February MHZC meeting. The consolidation of the neighborhood conservation zoning overlay will return with a public hearing in March and a decision at the April MHZC meeting. We have approximately 4 individual buildings where a Historic Landmark is being considered.

The MHZC’s March public hearing will be on Wednesday, March 17th 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!


NCAAHC Video Now Available


Over 200 people attended the virtual 40th Annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture. Thanks to all who supported and attended the conference! Please be sure to fill out this brief post-event feedback survey so we can continue to improve this beloved program. The complete conference video can be viewed on the Metro YouTube channel. MHC staff and the conference planning committee are deeply grateful to Metro Information Technology Services and Metro Nashville Network for making this virtual event a success. We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2022 conference!

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(Left to Right) Planning Committee members Gloria McKissack, Dr. Lea Williams, Jr., MHC's Tim Walker, Linda Wynn, Pamela Bobo and Sharon Hull Smith. Credit: MHC.

The new Profiles of African Americans in Tennessee book will be publicly posted in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for updates! The digital book includes 25 years of profiles added since the book's original printing and will feature an expanded bibliography with several embedded links for easy access to online information and research.

Be sure to check out our new conference website, which will host archives (photos, profiles, programs), updates, and registration details for future NCAAHC events.


Second Avenue Post-Bombing Recovery


 Ten bombing-related permits have been issued on Second Avenue in the last month. Work includes window and door replacements and minor masonry and storefront repairs. MHZC staff are in conversation with multiple contractors on several projects that will soon have a permit. For the eight buildings closest to the explosion, stabilization will take several months, after which rehab can begin. Additionally, staff toured Second Avenue with an engineer who has extensive experience working with war-damaged buildings around the world for UNESCO. He put together a pro-bono report for MHC that included recommendations for recovery.

On February 10th, a Second Avenue Visioning Session was led by the Metro Planning Commission and the Nashville Civic Design Center. County Historian Dr. Carole Bucy gave a short history of Nashville and Second Avenue that laid the foundation for a productive two-hour meeting. Another session is proposed in March, but no date has been set.

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Rhea Building at 164-166 2nd Avenue N. in 1970. Credit: Historic American Building Survey.

During the week of February 8-12, staff worked with Metro Public Works and General Services to salvage materials from 166 Second Avenue North, also known as the Rhea Building. Through the financial support of The District and the MHC Foundation, New South Associates was hired to sort and catalog materials. Salvaged wood and metal have been stored in a secure city lot, while brick is being stored at the Alley Cassety brickyard across the river. The only other salvage that may occur is at 170-176 Second Avenue North, which has a single owner; however, the owner is still assessing the situation. The District and the MHC Foundation continue to raise funds for the Second Avenue recovery that will assist owners and businesses with structural analyses and the repair of façades. News Channel 5 will broadcast a virtual benefit concert on Friday, March 26th at 7:00 p.m.

The Planning Department, Mayor's Office and other stakeholders will host a 2nd Avenue community visioning session on Monday, March 8th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. You can find more information on the Second Avenue recovery and sources for assistance on hubNashville's Historic Downtown Response and Recovery webpage.


Sunnyside Renovations Underway


The Sunnyside and Sevier Park improvement project began last month, and staff has attended several meetings with Parks staff, Dryden Architecture, and Collier Engineering. Asbestos abatement will begin next week as additional structural analysis is completed. We expect to have construction documents for the project completed in six weeks, with on-site work to follow this spring.

The project entails repair of the rear portion of Sunnyside including reconstruction of the two-story connector, construction of a new vehicular entrance and parking off of Kirkwood Avenue, reworking the existing vehicular entrance for pedestrians, reconstruction of the carriage house as a rental location for a food service business, and renovation of the office shed as public restrooms. The project will take up to 18 months to complete.


Nashville Sites Updates


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In celebration of Women's History Month, be sure to follow Nashville Sites on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as they highlight their tours and tour stops that tell the story of women’s history in Nashville. Check out both the Women's History and Woman's Suffrage Nashville Sites tours for more great stories and historic images!

You can also look back at previous posts from February featuring African American history during Black History Month. And stay tuned for the latest Nashville Sites tour dropping in March—East Nashville!

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Members of the Blue Triangle YWCA, 1927. Credit: Nashville Public Library/Nashville Sites.


2021 Nashville Historical Newspaper Now Available


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Journalist Cassandra Easley (pictured at right, credit: Tennessee Tribune), daughter of Billy Easley, the Tennessean's first Black photographer, has started a historical newspaper dedicated to highlighting Black history in Nashville. The first edition was published in 2019 and more recently, the second edition published in 2021. Easley is also working on a book on Black history in Tennessee that will be published this fall and offered in both print and digital format. Read the 2021 Nashville Historical here.

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Historical Marker Updates


At the February meeting, the MHC approved a new historical marker for the Battle of Nashville Attack by U.S. Colored Troops on the Confederate Right Flank. Proposed by Gary Burke and Dr. Lea Williams, this marker is being funded by the Marker Project. Sited near Granbury's Lunette, an earthworks fortification at 190 Polk Avenue that anchored the Confederate line, the marker details an attack that occurred there on December 15, 1864 by two brigades of U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). The USCT's vallient efforts were intended to engage their Confederate counterparts, preventing the latter from defending against a larger Union attack at the left flank. Union troops suffered heavy losses, and over 200 USCT were killed that day.

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Granbury's Lunette. Credit: Battle of Nashville Trust.


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History Exhibits and Programs at the Nashville Public Library


While the Metro Archives remains closed, staff are available during regular business hours. Thirteen branch locations and Metro Archives are also offering curbside pickup.

On March 4th at 6:00 p.m., the Nashville Public Library and Votes for Women will host a conversation with Robert K. Oermann, co-author of Dolly Parton, Songteller and Beverly Keel, Dean of the College of Media and Entertainment at MTSU, about the power of personal stories, the meanings behind songs, and the way they shape our lives. Learn more here.


What's happening in Metro Parks? 


The Parthenon, in partnership with the Centennial Park Conservancy, presents Meyer Wolfe: The Star of All Things in the East Gallery now through June 6. The exhibit features images, artwork, and ephemera from Meyer Wolfe, an eclectic and prodigious artist best known for his portraits of Nashville’s Black community. Check out the virtual gallery highlights tour for this exhibit!

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Meyer Wolfe exhibit at the Parthenon. Credit: Metro Parks.

Metro Parks recently hosted a memorable evening with one of Hartman Park Regional Community Center's greats at the Hartman Regional Black History Program. Before dedicating his life to public service at Hartman, Charles Tony Moorman pioneered the way for young Black athletes in Nashville. His real life tales from the 1960's-70s captivated the audience. Check out this video from the event!

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Aerial view of Two Rivers Mansion. Credit: Tennessee Crossroads.

Two Rivers Mansion was featured on a recent episode of Tennessee Crossroads. Through this video, you can virtually step inside the mansion and learn about the history of the people and structures on the property.


Upcoming Events at Fort Negley


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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Snow covering the entrance to Fort Negley during recent winter storms. Credit: Friends of Fort Negley Facebook.


New Tennessee State Library and Archives Set to Open April 2021


On April 13th, the new Tennessee State Library and Archives building at Bicentennial Mall will open to the public. The archives is sited at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Rep. John Lewis Way N.

The new 165,000-square-foot facility boasts several state-of-the-art features, including a climate-controlled chamber for book and manuscript storage, a compact robotic retrieval system, and a blast freezer that provides materials with quick protection from disaster-related water or insect damage. It is expected that most of the 500,000 books and 40,000 boxes of archival material in TSLA's collection will be available upon opening their new building.

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Rendering of new Tennessee State Library and Archives building. Credit: TSLA/TN Secretary of State.

An April 12th ribbon cutting will be presented virtually, and the new building will open with limited capacity the following day. For the latest information about the new building opening in the days ahead, follow the TSLA on Facebook and Instagram.


EVENTS THIS MONTH


Belle Meade Mansion--Celebration Tea for Families--March 6-8

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--Cheekwood in Bloom--March 6 thru April 11

Historic Travellers Rest--The Leas and Lealand Discussion with Sally Lea Nance and Ashley White--March 7; Women's History Month Artisan Day--March 13

National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week--March 8-11

The Hermitage--Andrew Jackson’s 254th Birthday Celebration--March 15

Society of Architectural Historians--The Advent of Women Architectural Professionals: A US-UK Comparative Perspective--March 8; New Histories and New Practices--March 25

MTSU--Online Workshop: Tracing the Trail of Tears through Tennessee--March 9

A Lecture on Historic Masonry: Diagnostics and Repair--March 19

Nashville Parthenon--This is the Original and Only Harry Shepherd Exhibit--thru May 23

PreserveCast--Building A Legacy Of Service: A Conversation With Colonel Jennifer Pritzker

Association for the Study of African American Life and History--Diving with a Purpose: Recovering and Reexamining Our Roots


COMING SOON


Historic Travellers Rest--Quills, Seals, and Ink: Letter Writing in the Age of Jackson, 1790-1830-- April 11

National Preservation Institute--8th National Forum on Historic Preservation Policy--April 16-17

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--Women to Watch:Celebrating the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage--thru May 2

Buchanan Log House--Buchanan Family Festival--May 15

Vernacular Architecture Forum Virtual Conference--May 21-22


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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.