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The next Historical Commission public meeting will be held on Monday, July 21 at 12:00 p.m. at the Midtown Hills MNPD Police Precinct Community Room, 1441 12th Avenue South. You can find a full list of upcoming and previous MHC meetings on our website.
Two damaged markers, Antioch Pike and John Robert Lewis, were recently re-installed by NDOT. The Antioch Pike marker is now located at Haywood Lane and Antioch Pike and the John Lewis marker is back at the 500 block of Commerce Street. We are also excited to announce that the Compton-Burton House marker (Burton Hills Blvd.) and the Mills-Zibart Bookstore marker (700 block Church Street) will be dedicated in September. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information about these ceremonies as we get closer to the dates!
Sunnyside was recently recognized with three notable honors for its excellence in preservation, public history, and interpretation. The project received a Certificate of Merit from the Tennessee Historical Commission and an Award of Excellence from the Tennessee Association of Museums. Additionally, the architecture and construction team received a Preservation Award from the Metropolitan Historical Commission. All three awards were presented during the 49th Annual Preservation Awards ceremony on May 22. Master Gardeners of Davidson County continue to work with staff to create some educational materials on the native plant species in the park, and construction of the fenced Demonstration Garden behind the log outbuilding is almost complete. Parks has also cleared the low stone wall surrounding the front well in preparation for the installation of a historic gazebo-style well house, currently in fabrication by Vintage Millworks, and installed a message board along the brick walk to the office’s main entrance that will allow us to post department events and public announcements.
The 4th annual Rep. John Lewis Way march will take place on July 19 at 8:00 am. The theme of this year’s March is “Get in Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble, and Help Redeem the Soul of America.” The march route will begin in front of the TN State Library and Archives and will end at the Ryman Auditorium. A panel discussion will also take place on July 18.
Sevier Park will host the Nashville Parks Foundation's annual Picnic for the Parks on September 20 from 4:00-7:00 pm. A picnic will take place on the lawn, and MHC staff and volunteers will give tours of Sunnyside during the event. Early bird tickets are available through August 15!
Nashville Sites launched it's 40th tour last month, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. The tour was written by Belmont honors graduate Anna Catherine Markham and Opry historian Brenda Colladay. It was narrated by CMA-and ACM-nominated country artist Kelleigh Bannen, also a co-founder of Preservation Society of Nashville!
Other tours in the works for 2025 include: Centennial Park, City Hall and Public Square, Indigenous People and Archaeology, and Music City Movies (with Belcourt Theatre for their 100th anniversary). Many thanks to the Nashville Sites interns this summer who've assisted with everything from tour research to content management to TikTok creation: Amelie Andalle (MTSU Public History MA program), Abby Hikade (MTSU Public History MA program), Jo Jamullamudi (Belmont University undergrad), Zach Rutter (Vanderbilt University undergrad), Carlyn Sharp (Belmont University undergrad), and Rowan Wheeler (UT-Knoxville undergrad).
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Speaking of Nashville Sites...Nashville Historical Foundation (NHF) and Preservation Society of Nashville are partnering to host a free Nashville Sites Live event to explore Black Architecture in Nashville, with an emphasis on the impact of the McKissack family, who founded the nation’s first Black-owned architecture firm, and other influential Black architects who have contributed significantly to our city’s built environment. The event will feature a panel discussion with Brian Tibbs and Dr. Learotha Williams, Jr. and will be moderated by Mary Ellen Pethel (an NHF board member). Please register and join us for that conversation on August 13, from 4:00-6:00 pm at the North Branch Carnegie Library (1001 Monroe St Nashville).
Did you miss any or all of the sold-out lecture series on modernism architecture in Nashville, hosted by NHF a few months ago? Given busy schedules and venue limitations, not everyone can attend live events these days. NHF recognizes that reality and is working to broaden access to information about preservation projects in Nashville and to spark interest in our city’s rich heritage — architectural and otherwise.
The three presentations in the Ann Roberts Lecture Series were well worth preserving (pun intended) so we recorded them. You can now watch them anytime on NHF’s YouTube channel. In fact, consider subscribing so you don’t miss any future recorded events. And if you haven’t visited the NHF website recently, please do. New articles are posted monthly and the site includes information about upcoming events as well. You can also follow NHF on Instagram @nashvillehistoricalfoundation.
We are still working with students and volunteers to conduct archaeology at several locations in Nashville and need your help! For Ravenwood Park, we are processing this collection and writing the archaeological report. We also have been conducting limited archaeology testing at Sevier Park and within Fort Negley ahead of the renovations of the masterplan. The public has been participating in these excavations, and all are invited to join. Email Dr. Adam Fracchia if you are interested in participating in any ongoing excavations.
Photo: Student archaeologists holding a Union Army unform button with an eagle found during excavation at Sunnyside Mansion.
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High school students from Vanderbilt’s School for Science and Math finished their display and had an exhibit grand opening on June 12th attended by the Vice Mayor and the MHC director. The exhibit titled Unearthing Nashville: Digging Deeper and Preserving the Past interpreted and presented several late eighteenth and early nineteenth-century artifacts from Church Street. The exhibit is open to the public through the summer at the Vanderbilt University Museum of Art. Photo: SSMV students discuss their research and exhibit (pictured right) with Vice Mayor Angie Henderson and Tim Walker.
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In an effort to grow archaeology in Nashville, Adam Fracchia has been in dialogue with archaeologists from Belfast and Caen, Nashville’s sister cities, to build a cooperative exchange to learn how urban archaeology is conducted across the globe. In May, five archaeologists from the University of Caen met with MHC staff and with professional archaeologists, students, and the SHPO to explore archaeology practice in Metro Nashville and Tennessee. The University of Caen archaeologists discussed their current research in Northern France and the Middle Ages at a public talk at Ft. Negley. Photo: Archaeologists from the University of Caen visit the Parthenon (left) and gave a public talk at Ft. Negley
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Centennial Park and the Parthenon: Don't forget Museum Tours, History Tours, and Architecture Tours are available all month long. Big Band Dances at the Bandshell continue through August 9. Enjoy a run through the park with the Music City July 4th 5K. Join Centennial Art Center for our Annual Summer Pop-up Exhibition Visage, curated by Clarence of Cë Gallery Friday, July 11, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with exclusive viewing from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Artwork will remain on view through Wednesday, July 30.
Fort Negley: Enjoy almost daily guided tours of the fort, including ones on July 1, July 2, and July 5 by summer interns. Learn more about the Civil War with Michael Manning at the Civil War Roundtable on July 15, Civil War Living History on July 19, and Sons of Union Veterans meeting on July 22.
Two Rivers Mansion: Summer guided tours begin July 14 and occur every Monday, Thursday and Friday through September 12. Multiple tour times are available each day. Also, mark your calendar for the Restoration Reveal and Ribbon Cutting by the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce on August 9, and High Tea at Stone Hall on August 16-17.
The Main Library will remain closed through July 28 following the fire in the adjacent parking garage.
The exhibit "Building Music City: Foster & Creighton's Nashville in the Making" is available in the Metro Archives West Reading Room through August 19.
 The General Francis Nash DAR chapter placed flags at the gravesite of Captain William Driver on Flag Day (June 14). Driver coined the phrase "Old Glory" in reference to the US flag, a name he gave the flag he flew during his career at sea. He hid the flag during Confederate occupation in Nashville and raised it over the state capitol when US troops liberated the city in February 1862. Photo courtesy of Patricia N. Wildrick, Gen. Francis Nash DAR chapter historian.
Frist Art Museum--Opening Panel: Avenues to a Great City--July 10
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection--opens July 12
Frist Art Museum--Frist Arts Fest--July 13
Belle Meade Historic Site--The Art of Belle Meade after-hours tour & reception--July 15
Metro Arts--Z. Alexander Looby Mural Dedication at Looby Community Center--July 16
Bellevue Harpeth Historic Association--Guided Hike at Beaman Park--July 19 (call 615-828-5292 for reservations)
National Museum of African American Music--Black on Broadway: Runway Rodeo--July 19
John Lewis Way March--July 19
Open Streets Nashville--Summer Series (5-mile loop downtown to walk, bike, and explore)--July 20
Civic Design Center--Youth Design Exhibition at Belmont University--July 24
Frist Art Museum--Homeschool Monday--July 28
National Museum of African American Music--Nissan Free Wednesday--free admission on the first Wednesday of each month courtesy of Nissan
TN State Museum--Hands -On History--Tuesday-Friday at 10:30 am
TN State Museum--Museum Highlight Tours--Tuesday-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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