MHC News
The next Historical Commission public meeting will be held on Monday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. at the Sonny West Conference Room, Howard Office Building, 700 President Ronald Reagan Way. You can find a full list of upcoming and previous MHC meetings on our website.
At the April 21 MHC meeting, Natalie Robbins from the Vanderbilt Institute for Spatial Research presented a report on ground penetrating and survey findings at Calhoun Cemetery. That portion of the meeting was recorded and can be accessed from the Metro Nashville Network YouTube page.
The Nashville Historical Foundation’s Ann Roberts Lecture Series launched on April 10 with an engaging talk by David Paine on the development of Modern Architecture in America. On April 17, architect Kem Hinton presented on Modernism in Nashville, and the series concluded on April 24 with a lecture by Sandra Shelton on architectural photography. Tickets for each event quickly sold out but NHF plans to host another round of lectures in the fall, and video of each lecture will be up on their YouTube channel soon.
Don Cusic's Nashville Music Lecture Series has also concluded for the season. We look forward to another round of lectures in Historic RCA Studio B next spring!
Staff continue to complete field survey for the Davidson County Cemetery Survey update in the Antioch-Priest Lake and Donelson/Hermitage subareas. In early April, we surveyed our 500th historical cemetery under this project, which was a huge milestone. We have successfully coordinated with airport staff to record several historical burial grounds on BNA property as well as with The Hermitage to document multiple cemeteries on that property. Our office regularly receives historical cemetery inquiries, many of which are spurred by this work, and there has been a very positive public response to the overall project. Field survey work should be completed by June, and we will have the public presentation of findings for Phase 4 this fall.
On April 25 and 26, despite the rainy weather, MHC was able to participate in the William Pomeroy Foundation's National Historical Marker Weekend and clean two historical markers with the help of great volunteer groups. Thank you to Mark Schlicher, Brenda Morrow, and Dr. Seay and his students from Napier Elementary for joining us and helping make their local markers shine! We also have a few historical marker unveiling ceremonies coming up. We hope you can join us at all of these ceremonies!
Saturday, May 10 1:00 pm, Neuhoff House (1237 6th Ave N)
Saturday, May 17 11:00 am, John Wesley Frierson (NAACP Office, 1308 Jefferson St)
Wednesday, May 21 5:30 pm, Werthan Bag Company (1350 Rosa L. Parks Blvd)
MHZC News
The MHZC’s next public hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 21 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!
Councilmember Hancock filed legislation for a neighborhood conservation zoning overlay for Marlin Meadows. At this time, boundaries include: School Pass, Allen Pass, Canton Pass, portions of Coggin Pass, Nix Pass, River Pass, Peeler Trail, Rivercrest Dr, Jasperson Dr, Center Street and portions of Neeleys Bend Rd and Berwick Trail. Madison’s proximity to Nashville, easy access to a new highway, and prime location near the Cumberland River made it a highly attractive spot to buy a home in the years following WWII. The Marlin Meadows neighborhood is significant for its reflection of these development patterns, as well as its excellent collection of historic homes representing popular mid-century architectural styles and materials. The designation has received a recommendation from the MHZC and Planning Commission and has passed Council’s public hearing. Final reading with Council of BL2024-739 will be May 6.
Historic Zoning has a new general email address for applications, requests for inspections, and general inquiries: historiczoning@nashville.gov.
Note: The July 16, 2025 MHZC meeting will take place at the Bransford Conference Room of the MNPS Admin Building located at 2601 Bransford Avenue (entrance off Berry Road.)
Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the 2025 Preservation Awards. The 49th annual event will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street, with a reception to follow at the Customs House, 701 Broadway, sponsored by the Nashville Historical Foundation.
The Preservation Awards program is held annually to celebrate National Preservation Month, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and observed nationally each year in May. This year’s Preservation Month theme celebrates the power of place and the countless ways, big and small, that preservation creates. We are excited to celebrate our special honorees: Dr. Kevin Smith, Ron Gobbell, The Nashville History Club, and Shain Dennison.
If you haven’t been a regular at the annual MHC Preservation Awards, you’ve been missing one of the most upbeat, feel-good events of the year, filled with preservation success stories. The Nashville Historical Foundation hopes you will make plans to attend, and then will join us at the Customs House for a reception following the program to celebrate. The reception is a rare opportunity for the public to go inside this Victorian Gothic landmark on Broadway. Access is limited because of security; Federal courts sit there. It will be a special privilege to gather in the former library of a distinguished jurist, The Honorable Gilbert Merritt, Jr. It’s a handsome interior space in an outstanding example of that 19th century style.
It’s a preservation success story, too – a past winner of an MHC award. Built in 1879, it was the first Federal government project in the South and signaled an end to Reconstruction. It was the Federal building in Nashville for decades. Post office, draft registration, passports, courts – all functions of the Customs House. Jump forward to the 1970s when it was declared surplus. In 1973 Congress passed a bill allowing surplus historic buildings to be transferred to other levels of government. In a great leap of faith, Mayor Richard Fulton accepted it in the late 70s. It was leased to a developer who rehabilitated it, leases its space, and still cares for it. Both the Metro and Tennessee Historical Commissions had offices in the basement in the 1980s. So it’s a homecoming! We hope to see you there.
--Ann Roberts
In partnership with the Vanderbilt Institute for Spatial Research (VISR) and the Preservation Society of Nashville, MHC held a public ground penetrating radar (GPR) day at Sunnyside in Sevier Park last month. Members of the public and students of archaeology learned how GPR works and how it can be used to locate and preserve archaeological sites and historic cemeteries. Participants had a chance to operate the machine and survey the front yard of the historic mansion. This month, Natalie Robbins with VISR analyzed the data and informed us of several exciting anomalies. In the GPR cross section to the left, you can see a pit anomaly at about 1 meter below the surface. We hope to explore some of these anomalies through archaeology this summer. Interested in helping us learn more about Sunnyside and other excavation sites? We welcome volunteers to join us in the lab and in the field! If you are interested in participating in future archaeological excavations or laboratory, email Dr. Adam Fracchia. This month we will continue archaeological testing in Ft. Negley ahead of the master plan improvements this summer. We recently excavated several soil layers dating to the period of the Civil War. Volunteers uncovered and documented bottle glass, bullets, and animal bone. The goal of this project is to test areas that may see some level of subsurface disturbance in the Fort and document any archaeological features present. Please let us know if you are interested in assisting us with this archaeological research. We will also conduct some excavation at Sunnyside ahead of garden improvements in the rear yard in May and June.
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In August of 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette began a journey through all then 24 United States. As the last living general of the American Revolution, Lafayette was enthusiastically celebrated in hundreds of cities and towns, including Nashville! Nashville is now known for hosting special events, and Lafayette's visit could be considered our first major festival.
Who welcomed him here? What events did he attend? How was the city overall? Why did he travel to America at this time in his life? Where can we still see the impact of Lafayette today?
Davidson County Historian Dr. Carole Bucy will answer these questions and more at this free event on May 5, hosted by the Nashville City Cemetery in partnership with Lafayette 200. Light refreshments will be provided.
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Get your hands dirty in the City Cemetery! This month's Second Saturday Tour on May 10 will be a free, guided experience to explain how our graves are maintained and preserved. Site Manager Bryan Gilley will describe his work, detail recent and upcoming projects, and answer questions. Then, it is your turn! Attendees will help clean historic tombstones up to 200 years old. Sign up today! |
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Run or walk the most historic 5k in Nashville at the 25th Annual Memorial Day Dash to benefit the preservation and beautification of historic Nashville City Cemetery! Hosted by the Nashville City Cemetery Association and the Metro Historical Commission, with chip timing by the Nashville Striders, the course features some of the most historic places and scenic views in the city. Beginning at the Adventure Science Center, runners will run through Fort Negley Historic Park with beautiful views of the Nashville cityscape, then loop back around St. Cloud Hill, over the tracks, to Nashville City Cemetery, where they will wind their way past some of the most historic names in Nashville. Be sure to wear your most patriotic-themed costumes to win prizes at the end. There is no better way to kick off summer than with the Memorial Day Dash, a Nashville tradition! Proceeds benefit the Nashville City Cemetery Association's preservation efforts and educational outreach.
Race Details
- Start / Finish in front of Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd.
– Race morning t-shirt and bib pickup open at 6:00 AM
– Race Starts promptly at 7:30 AM
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Centennial Park and the Parthenon:
Museum Tours, History Tours, and Architecture Tours are available all month long. And don't forget, the 54th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair will take place May 2-4!
Join AIA-Nashville Society for a free Parthenon Book Club meeting on Monday, May 5. The book club selection this month is The Past Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith.
Conexion Americas and Nashville Noticias bring the 2nd Annual VIVA Festival to Centennial Park complete with minority owned food trucks. Experience great food, lawn games, music, and fun for the whole family on May 10.
Musicians Corner returns to spotlight Nashville’s diverse musical landscape with multi-genre performances from dozens of artists. In addition to live music each event will also feature artisan vendors, craft beer, wine, and cocktails, local food trucks, Kidsville activities, and featured community partners. Live music will be performed every Friday from 5 - 9 PM and Saturday from 12 - 6 PM on May 16-17, May 23-25, and May 30-31.
Join Centennial Art Center for the Nashville Artist Guild exhibition celebrating 75 years of their dedication and support of the arts in Nashville. The exhibition of current members includes works of art in a variety of mediums, genres and styles. An opening reception will take place at Centennial Art Center on May 16.
In partnership with the Nashville True Crime Meet Up Group, Parthenon staff member Bonnie Seymour, will give an exciting talk delving into the world of museum collections. In Looted Legacies: Excavating Museum Collections, discover the story behind the Parthenon's Pre-Columbian Collection from Western Mexico and its repatriation efforts. This in-person discussion will be held on May 19.
Join Parthenon staff as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the unveiling of Alan LeQuire’s reconstruction of the ancient Greek Athena Parthenos statue, which took place in Nashville on May 20th, 1990, at the completion of an eight-year project. The celebration of Athena's 35th birthday will last from 12:00-4:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20.
Fort Negley:
Join the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society- Nashville Chapter for their monthly meeting on May 3.
Guided walking tours of Fort Negley will take place on May 3, May 6, May 10, May 13, May 17, May 22, May 24, May 28, May 29, and May 30.
At the first meeting of the Nashville History Club this month on May 6, Randall Gross will present on Vultee Aircraft. On May 13 Don Cusic will present The History of Music Row and the Emergence of Music City U.S.A. and on May 20, Erik Schelzig will present Welcome to Capitol Hill: 50 Years of Scandal. The Nashville Civil War Roundtable will also meet on May 20. Casey Gillespie from Belle Meade Plantation will present on the Occupation of Nashville that evening.
You'll also have multiple opportunities for archaeological excavations with MHC archaeologist Dr. Adam Fracchia. Public Archaeology at the Fort days will be held from 10:00-4:00 on May 9, May 16, and May 30.
Two Rivers Mansion:
Celebrate the spring weather on May 3 at 10:00 am or 1:00 pm for Mommy and Me Springtime Tea at Stone Hall.
On May 31, enjoy a day of music with WMOT's Roots on the River Festival at Two Rivers Mansion.
On May 3 at the Edgehill branch, learn about Edgehill's own famous sculptor William Edmondson, the first Black artist to have a solo show at New York's Museum of Modern Art, in 1937. A panel discussion will be held after the film screening featuring, Cynthia Gadsen, Amanda Ewing, Mark Schlicher, and Nadine Shillingford with light refreshments served.
Are you interested in researching your home's genealogy but unsure where to start? Let Metro Archives assist you! Join Archives staff on May 4 as they offer an hour-long workshop focused on how to research your home, using free online resources as well as the records in the archives.
May 14 will be the final program of the season for Then and Now: The History of Minority Communities in Nashville. This month's topic with be Nashville's Communities from North Africa: Sudanese, Egyptians, Tunisians, Moroccans, Libyans and Algerians. Then and Now explores the history and impact of these communities through the scholarly work of noted historians and the personal stories of community members. The series is moderated by Dr. André L. Churchwell, Senior Advisor on Inclusion and Community Outreach at Vanderbilt University. Please RSVP for this program at the Main Library.
All month long, the North branch library will host a series of adult and teen workshops celebrating Black artistic movements throughout history! Participants will learn about the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights and Black Arts Movements, and the cultural milestones of the 1980s, then create their own mixed media journals inspired by Black artists and figures. Email Jillian Austin with questions or to reserve your spot!
MHC Commissioner Jim Hoobler was interviewed by WKRN for their recent "Hidden Tennessee" piece on the former Tulip Street United Methodist Church. Claudette Stager, who has worked part-time for MHC in recent years after retiring from the state historical commission, was also interviewed by WKRN. She talked about local cottage revival style gas stations across the county. Thank you both for sharing your historical knowledge! |
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Celebrate with a variety of events sponsored by API Middle Tennessee!
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--Lafayette at The Hermitage--May 3
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Community Pop-Up: Suncatchers at Tennessee Craft Fair--May 3
TN State Museum--Meet the Marquis! Meet and Greet with the Marquis de Lafayette--May 4
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere--Cinco der Rhino--May 5
Cheek Wood Estate & Garden--Mother's Day Tea--May 9
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Film Screening and Conversation: Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around--May 10
TN State Museum--TN Writers | TN Stories: John P. Williams, "Montgomery Bell: Tennessee Frontier Capitalist" (Acclaim Press) in conversation with Clay Bailey--May 10
Cheekwood Estate & Garden--Summer Annuals Plant Sale--May 10-11
Travellers Rest--May lecture with Abigail Coomes--May 15
TN State Museum--Lunch and Learn: Name It and Take It: Kasper Mansker and the Long Hunters of Tennessee--May 15
Belmont Mansion--Blue Star Museum Program--May 17
Preservation Society of Nashville--Nashville Sites Live: A Sacred Legacy-The Story of Christ Church Cathedral--May 17
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere--Farm Day--May 17
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Film Screening and Conversation: Heartworn Highways--May 17
Frist Art Museum--Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Arts Festival--May 24
National Museum of African American Music--R&B Bingo--May 24
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere--Spring Zzzoofari Slumber--May 24
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--Thursday Night Out--May 29
TN State Museum and TN State Library and Archives--Statehood Day 2025--May 31
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--The World Through Women's Eyes: Jane Austen & Rachel Jackson Garden Talk--May 31
Belle Meade Historic Site--Beyond the Track: Breeding Champions at Belle Meade--April 21-May 31
Register for "Hands on History: Dirty Jobs" day camp at Belle Meade Historic Site this summer!
TN State Museum--Welcome Lafayette, Friend of Liberty (temporary exhibit)--through June 15
National Museum of African American Music--Nissan Free Wednesday--free admission on the first Wednesday of each month courtesy of Nissan
Tennessee State Museum--Museum Highlight Tours--each Friday and Saturday at 2:00 pm
Frist Art Museum--Architecture Tours--each Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 pm
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music-online exhibit
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Music Row: Nashville's Creative Crossroads--online exhibit
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues--online exhibit
Check out our online newsletter archives!
Have a preservation-related event that you want us to include? Send a message to Jessica.Fitzpatrick@nashville.gov
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