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In last month's newsletter, we stated that the Civil War Trails interpretive sign at STEM Prep High School was sponsored by the Nashville Battlefield Trust. The title of the organization should have read Battle of Nashville Trust. We apologize for the error.
MHC News
We are excited to announce that Richard Grubb and Associates, Inc. have been selected as the consultants for the National Park Service's African American Civil Rights grant. On January 12th, staff and the project consultants toured Clark Memorial UMC, one of the best-documented sites of trainings and meetings related to Nashville’s civil rights movement. We have also created a draft National Register of Historic Placesnomination for First Community Church (associated with The Rev. C.T. Vivian) and are hopeful that Clark may also qualify for listing as part of this project.
In late December, MHC was notified that our recent grant application to the highly competitive National Park Service Underrepresented Communities Grant program received nearly $58,000 in funding from the current program cycle. Through historical research and survey, our project will document several mid-20th century suburban historic districts built by and for African Americans, resulting in at least one new nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. MHC will also fund a new historical marker for one of these districts. Read more about the program and see the press release announcing this year’s awardees.
We continue to work with American Baptist College (ABC), MDHA and HUD to finalize an Economic Development Initiative Community Project Funding the grant award of approximately $800,000 for the renovation of historic buildings on ABC’s campus as well as the creation of a walking tour highlighting its Civil Rights history. Staff will manage that grant-related work, which should begin by March and be completed in early 2025.
As we move forward into the bitter cold of winter, make sure you are doing everything possible to prevent a fire at your historic property by reviewing these 10 tips from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
MHZC News
The MHZC’s next public hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 15th at 2:00 p.m. at the Sonny West Conference Center, Howard Office Building, 700 President Ronald Regan Way. View the MHZC meeting schedule and application deadlines on our website. Access archived videos of the MHZC meetings on the Metro YouTube channel anytime!
The MHZC recently created a "Leadership Recognition" program to honor a neighborhood organization or merchants association each May in celebration of Preservation Month. Anyone can nominate a group by sending a description of how the nominee meets the "characteristics" of the Leadership Recognition to historicalcommission@nashville.gov prior to April 1.
Characteristics of a Leadership Recognition recipient include:
• Provide protection for the important historic resources of their district.
• Provide education of the history of their neighborhood through events, publications or neighborhood features.
• Understands how to help move change forward in a manner that is respectful to the historic character of the district, through effective communication and participation.
• Has improved neighborhood participation and inclusion.
• Created valuable links or improved communication and processes between the neighborhood and Metro government.
The 42nd Annual Conference on African American History and Culture (NCAAHC) will be held virtually for only the third time in this event's long history on Friday, February 10th, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We have seven new presenters who represent researchers, educators, authors, and historians that will speak on significant people, places and events in Nashville and Tennessee African American history. The conference theme is "Tell it Like It Is: Exploring African American Public, Oral & Written History in Tennessee.” Attendees will also be treated to musical entertainment from the Tennessee State University Meistersingers choral ensemble and a theatrical piece by the Fisk University Stagecrafters. Registration is now open. We hope you will join us in February!
For questions about registration, please email Caroline Eller or call the MHC office at (615) 862-7970.
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The Metropolitan Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for the 47th 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 1973. Infill projects should be no older than 2020. All projects must have been completed within the past three years. Previous winners may be eligible if the work is significantly different.
Submit your nomination now through Monday, February 13, 2023.
For more program details and submission instructions, please visit our Preservation Awards page.
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On Saturday, January 21, the "Kurdish Americans in Nashville" historical marker was unveiled at 3904 Nolensville Pike. Thank you to all of the council members and elected officials--especially Mayor John Cooper and former mayor Bill Purcell--and community members for coming out to celebrate this new historical marker!
We look forward to bringing you more information about historical marker unveiling ceremonies in the coming months as we solidify plans for the spring. For now, make sure you mark you calendars for Saturday, April 22 which has been proclaimed as "Bettie Page Day" in honor of the actress's 100th birthday and will be celebrated with the unveiling of her historical marker at Hume-Fogg High School. More information to come.
Image courtesy of Jessica Reeves/MHC.
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On January 21, MHC archaeologist Dr. Adam Fracchia excavated two test units behind the main house at Sunnyside. The units were an attempt to document the age of the log structures immediately east of the main house and currently being renovated on the property. The excavation was conducted with the assistance of five MTSU Anthropology students.
The excavation documented artifacts and soil layers dating before and after the placement of the log structure in its current location. The artifacts recovered included ceramics, animal bone, architectural material, and material dating from the Civil War. Preliminary results suggest that the log cabin on the eastern end of the addition may have been moved to its current location after the Civil War. Further analysis of the soils and artifacts is ongoing. Thank you to everyone who assisted with excavation!
Image courtesy of Adam Fracchia/MHC.
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MHC's Tax Abatement Program recipients
Moving human remains to Nashville City Cemetery
Coverage of Kurdish Americans in Nashville historical marker ceremony
More coverage of the Kurdish Americans marker
History of Edgehill Polar Bears
Exit/In National Register nomination approved by State Review Board, moves on to NPS for final approval
Every February, Nashville Public Libraries embrace Black history through exhibits, story times, and other events at locations across the system. Visit their website to see the full program of events! Highlights include RP Movie Club (Richland Park), Film Friday (East), and Story Time Friends (Madison).
Chakita Patterson is back with United Street Tours, which begin on Friday, February 3.Take her incredible Civil Rights tour before it sells out!
Visit the Motown exhibit at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Stop by Special Collections at the Main library to see their exhibit about the YWCA Blue Triangle Branch.
Every Thursday in February from 6:00–8:00 p.m., visit Frist Café for Frist After Five: Celebrating Black Arts and Culture for live music, poetry, local contemporary art, food trucks, and good vibes!
Tickets are still available for the 17th Annual All-Black Affair on February 4 at The Brooklyn Bowl with live entertainment from 8:30-10:30pm.
Support local Black-owned businesses at The Nashville Black Market on February 11 at the Fairgrounds.
You’ll be dancing in the aisles as the Schermerhorn Symphony presents "Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown" on February 9, 10, and 11.
Join Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage for their annual commemoration of those once enslaved at The Hermitage and throughout the country. Held at The Hermitage Church, the service will feature music and special remarks, followed by a procession to the slavery memorial “Follow the Drinking Gourd” located behind the church. There, 150 flowers will be laid by attendees, marked with the names of all those known to have been enslaved at The Hermitage.
Don't forget Nashville Sites' free, self-guided walking tours: Civil Rights Sit-Ins, Early Black Life and Culture, Edgehill, Fort Negley, Fisk and Meharry, and Tennessee State University and driving tours: Civil Rights Movement and Jefferson Street. Many of these tours also have lesson plans for grades 4-12!
Celebrate World Wetlands Day at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center on February 2 from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Attend the Centennial Art Center gallery opening on February 3 from 5:00-7:30 pm.
Nashville History Club meets at Fort Negley Visitors Center on February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28 from 1:00-2:00 pm.
Join State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath to learn about Tennessee State Natural Areas at Beaman Park Nature Center on February 10 from 5:00-6:30 pm.
Explore the Cemeteries of Warner Park on February 18 from 9:00-11:00 am.
Enjoy the Nashville Civil War Roundtable at Fort Negley on February 21 from 7:00-8:00 pm.
Don't forget to check out the Camp Forrest, TN – POW Exhibit: Friend, Enemy or Frenemy exhibit at the Main library before it closes on February 26! There will also be a closing Meet and Greet on February 16 from 4:00-6:00 pm.
Join the Bellevue Harpeth Historic Association to hear from speaker Luvenia Harrison of Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery on February 12.
Discover some of the numerous resources that Ancestry.com Library edition has to offer for genealogical research of African Americans during Genealogy 101: A Survey of African American Genealogical Resources at the Bordeaux library on February 28 from 2:00-3:30 pm.
The Tennessee Historical Commission is now accepting applications for the historic preservation grants program. Grants may fund a variety of project including survey, National Register nominations, and repairs/restoration of National Register-listed properties. To learn more and apply, visit the THC website. Applications are due Tuesday, February 7th!
The deadline for the 2023 National Fund for Sacred Places grant round is February 24. The only initiative of its kind in the U.S., the National Fund is a highly competitive program that supports vibrant congregations that have buildings of historical significance and architectural character, and that play an essential role in meeting the larger spiritual, social, and economic needs of the communities they serve. The National Fund for Sacred Places is a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This is an excellent opportunity and one of few financial resources available for the preservation of historic churches. Sign up to receive updates!
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--The Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville--February 3-5
Frist Art Museum--Frist Arts Fest--February 4-5
Nashville Parthenon--Virtual Symposium: Conservation 101--February 8
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--Cupid's Cocktails: Mixology Workshop--February 11
Tennessee State Museum--"A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America"--exhibit opens February 24
Travellers Rest--Landscape of Enslavement--February 25
Tennessee State Library and Archives--"The Legacy of Tennessee State Parks"--exhibit open until May 13
National Museum of African American Music--Nissan Free Wednesday--free admission on the first Wednesday of each month courtesy of Nissan
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame--free admission through March--sponsored by University of Tennessee Athletics
You can support the Metro Historical Commission Foundation through your everyday purchases on Amazon through February 20, 2023! 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 Jessica.Reeves@nashville.gov
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