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The next Historical Commission public meeting will be held on Monday, December 15 at 12:00 p.m. at the Fort Negley Visitors Center, 1100 Fort Negley Boulevard, Nashville, TN. You can find a full list of upcoming and previous MHC meetings on our website.
Congratulations to Patrick McIntyre, Executive Director of the Tennessee Historical Commission and State Historic Preservation Officer, on his recent retirement after 18 years in office! We also congratulate Miranda Montgomery, who was recently named State Historic Preservation Officer and Interim Executive Director. Miranda joined the Tennessee Historical Commission staff and the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of General Counsel in 2023 as the Senior Historic Preservation Attorney.
Upcoming Historical Marker Ceremonies
We hope you can join us on Friday, December 12 at 10:00 am as we unveil the Kossie Gardner Sr. historical marker at 1513 Jefferson Street. This marker was funded by the Metro Participatory Budget which funded six historical markers across North Nashville. We'll have plenty of other marker unveilings in 2026--follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information!
MHC Archaeology Update
Last week, we just started our tenth test unit at Fort Negley! Volunteers and students have been essential in helping to document what lies below the surface ahead of the future renovations to the fort. No experience is required to join us in the field or laboratory.
We have also been working to locate and curate the many Davidson County collections that have been excavated over the years. Over the last two months, we have been collaborating with several Metro Parks and historic sites to find and manage these amazing collections. Currently, we are processing donated collections from Ft. Negley and Grassmere. Email Dr. Adam Fracchia if you are interested in participating in any of the ongoing excavations or in our archaeology laboratory.
This month we will have a Lunch and Learn talk on the ongoing archaeological work at Ft. Negley on Dec. 11 at 12 pm at the Fort Negley Visitor Center.
We are also fortunate to have Dr. Tiffany Fracchia, the Forensic Anthropologist for Middle Tennessee, give a public talk on Forensic Anthropology in Nashville on December 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Fort Negley Visitor Center.
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Grants Updates
The Grants and Special Projects page of our website has been updated with the final draft of the Multiple Property Documentation Form for African American Historic Districts in Nashville, 1946-1970 and the draft National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Haynes Heights Historic District. The page also has a video of the presentation of findings from a past MHC meeting. We expect those to go to the May 2026 State Review Board meeting.
We have also posted a draft of the Club Baron NRHP nomination, which will be presented at the January 2026 State Review Board meeting, a Donelson Hills Historical Report, and a Donelson Survey Summary Report (Sunny Acres, Cloverdale, and Hargis Heights), all also available on that page.
African American History and Culture Conference
Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 13, 2026, for the 45th annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture! The event program and registration details will be shared in late December 2025 or early January 2026. Both in-person (at Tennessee State University's Avon Williams Campus) and virtual attendance options will be available. Pre-registration is $30 and standard registration is $35, which includes a catered lunch, printed materials, and attendance for the day-long event. To receive e-mail updates on the conference, please contact Caroline.Eller@nashville.gov.
For over forty years, the Metropolitan Historical Commission and Tennessee State University have celebrated the contributions of African Americans to Nashville and Tennessee through the Nashville Conference on African-American History and Culture. Each February, Nashvillians come together to honor these individuals through historical and cultural presentations by historians, artists, students, dramatists, musicians, genealogists, and others interested in the history of our city and state. The long-running series, Profiles of African Americans in Tennessee, a collection of nearly two hundred short publications, makes the Conference research available to the public.
Retirement of Executive Director Tim Walker
MHC's Executive Director, Tim Walker, will be retiring in early December. Tim has been with the department since 1996 when he started as a Historic Preservationist assisting with the historic zoning program, managing the City Cemetery, and creating and managing the department's first website. He became the Historic Zoning Administrator in 2001, interim director in 2008, and the department's director in 2009.
During Tim's tenure, the department has had a number of milestones and achievements including:
- The number of properties protected through the historic zoning program grew from just over 3,300 to almost 13,000 with the addition of 25 new historic overlay districts and nearly 60 new historic landmarks.
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The Sunnyside Mansion, MHC's home since 2004, was renovated in 2024 along with its outbuildings.
- Staffing for the department grew to include an archaeologist, two staff dedicated to the Nashville City Cemetery, and an architect.
- The department worked with former staff and commission members to create a friends group for the department, the Nashville Historical Foundation, formerly known as the MHC Foundation.
- Working with Metro Parks, the department co-created the Friends of Fort Negley, Friends of Two Rivers Mansion, and Friends of Fort Nashborough.
- Numerous grant projects enabled us to support a number of city-owned historic resources including Fort Negley- through Archaeology, a Historic Structures Report, a Cultural Landscape Report, and a Master Plan- and Two Rivers Mansion- through a Master Plan. Grants also helped us fund consulting projects allowing us to list several districts and properties to the National Register of Historic Places, complete four phases of a Countywide Cemetery Survey, survey and assess Civil Rights sites in the county, among many others.
- Working with State Historian Dr. Carroll Van West, we published a local architecture book, Nashville Architecture: A Guide to the City
- The department received dedicated operating funding for City Cemetery repairs and maintenance.
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Continued support for the Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture, which is cohosted with TSU and is preparing for its 45th year
- Continued support of Preservation Awards, which celebrated its 49th year this past May
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Historical marker program has greatly expanded, with additional funding that allowed us to better maintain existing markers and doubled the number of historical markers in the county to better represent all aspects of our county's history.
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Celebrating its 6th anniversary, Nashville Sites was created through a partnership with Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel (Belmont University) and the Nashville Historical Foundation, and continues to grow with over 40 theme-based walking and driving tours
The Metro Historical Commission has begun the process of hiring a new director, however, until a new director is in place, Scarlett Miles has been named interim director. Congratulations Scarlett, and thank you Tim for your 29 years of service and leadership!
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Nashville Sites, a partnership between the Nashville Historical Foundation and the Metro Historical Commission. recently celebrated its sixth anniversary with a full house, generous giveaways, and a shared sense of gratitude for everyone who helps keep Nashville’s stories alive. The event was hosted at Sunnyside in Sevier Park by NHF and the Preservation Society of Nashville. Thank you to all who attended!
The latest Nashville Sites' tour, Indigenous People and Archaeology, launched last month at IndigeNash, Nashville’s multimedia arts festival honoring the deep heritage and vibrant contemporary contributions of Indigenous artists. The tour—available online or as a self-guided drive—offers an accessible way to learn about the region’s Indigenous history and the archaeological record beneath our feet. Five stops also feature Augmented Reality (AR) models that allow you to visualize yourself within the historic landscape!
As we continue expanding our work, we invite you to consider supporting our mission—your donations directly fuel the research, storytelling, and public programming that make these tours possible.
It's gift giving season!
If you, or someone you know, values historic preservation and enjoys programs honoring our area's vibrant history, such as Nashville Sites, consider a donation to the Nashville Historical Foundation.
NHF, a nonprofit friends group, supports MHC efforts to protect, study, and interpret Nashville's history and Nashville Sites success in bringing Nashville's history to life through digital stories and tours. The dedicated board carefully assesses funding opportunities to be responsible stewards and maximize the impact of its donations.
Here's how to donate:
1. Via our website www.nashvillehistoricalfoundation.org/donate
2. Through Giving Matters/Giving Tuesday at this link:
https://roundtable.givingmatters.com/organizations/995
3. By sending a check to:
Nashville Historical Foundation
1113 Kirkwood Ave.
Nashville, TN 37204
Your support and donations are greatly appreciated!
Stay tuned next month for more updates on NHF programs and initiatives, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram @nashvillesites and @nashvillehistoricalfoundation. You can also check out our website--new entries are posted at least once a month and can be found in the Archives section.
On Saturday, November 8, the Nashville City Cemetery Association held a Veterans Day event to honor and remember all who served our country in uniform, while also celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Continental Army. NCCA board members were joined by members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) as well as Metro Council members Clay Capp (D6) and Terry Vo (D17) and others to place flowers on the gravesites of nine known Revolutionary War veterans resting in City Cemetery.
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On Sunday, November 9, community volunteers and Hands on Nashville volunteers joined together for a cleaning day at the cemetery. They raked leaves and cleaned the interpretive panels and cemetery map, ensuring that visitors to the cemetery are able to enjoy the beautiful grounds. Thank you volunteers!
Many thanks also to the Bank of America volunteers who came out on Veterans Day to place flags on the graves of all veterans at the City Cemetery, including the grave of former mayor Richard Fulton (left).
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Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, thousands join together to Remember, Honor and Teach through coordinated wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 5,200 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. On that day, more than two million Veterans’ Wreaths will be placed across Local, National and Military Cemeteries as well as Veterans’ Memorials and historic sites. Information about local wreath-laying ceremonies are below:
Saturday, December 13, 10:00 am--Nashville City Cemetery (sponsored by TNNSVC)
Saturday, December 13, 11:00 am--Nashville National Cemetery (sponsored by Daughters of the American Revolution, General Francis Nash chapter)
Click the links above to volunteer at either event, or to donate to the efforts.
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Centennial Park and the Parthenon: Guided architecture and museum tours are available each month! Experience Kidsville at the Parthenon on December 6 and December 13--kids under 12 get free admission and families can enjoy a variety of fun activities. Enjoy the Centennial Stroll & Roll guided nature walk on December 9.
Fort Negley: Join the Nashville History Club on December 2 and December 9 for a discussion with local authors and historians. The Sons of Union Veterans will meet also meet on December 2. Hear from Metro Archaeologist Dr. Adam Fracchia on December 11 at the Lunch and Learn: Bullets and Bedrock. Commemorate the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Nashville with artillery demonstrations, soldiers drilling, and a chance to meet President Lincoln on December 13. Enjoy a Winter Solstice Sunset Stroll on the shortest day of the year--December 20.
Two Rivers Mansion: Join the Stones River Woman’s Club on December 6 and December 7 for their annual Open House and Holiday Bake Sale. Then, enjoy a fully decorated mansion and savor the elegance of the season with a delightful Holiday High Tea on December 13. Round out the weekend with A Celtic Christmas at Two Rivers on December 14. Holiday tours continue through December 12. Resolving to read more in 2026? Join the Friends of Two Rivers Book Club at Stone Hall!
Warner Park: Celebrate the beginning of winter and the longest night of the year during this annual Winter Solstice Celebration on December 19 featuring wreath making, a luminary trail through the forest, campfires, s’mores, astronomy, music, and much more! Registration is required for this event.
The Main Library will remain closed following the fire in the adjacent parking garage.
The Old Hickory Branch will be temporarily closed December 7-25.
Join Megan Hart, Director of Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, and Wanda Willis, Former Executive Director of Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, in conversation with Andre L. Churchwell, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor on Inclusion and Community Outreach at Vanderbilt University, for Then and Now: The History of Disabilities in Our Community: Living With Physical Disabilities. The program will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School auditorium (613 17th Ave N) on December 3.
Meet R.J. Halbert, author of the Goodpasture Chronicles Caretaker and Servant, at the Goodlettsville Branch on December 29 at 6:00 pm.
The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial offers two grant opportunities for organizations and communities centered around Tennessee’s unique stories. The total combined allocation for these two grant opportunities is $3,500,000. The two grant opportunities are:
Project Support Grants (up to $20,000)
Community Support Grants (up to $25,000)
Grants are facilitated by the Tennessee State Museum and will be reviewed until funding is exhausted. Successful grant applicants will propose projects that support the mission of the Tennessee Semiquincentennial Commission, which is to promote an inclusive statewide celebration and educational commemoration of America’s 250th by interpreting and preserving Tennessee’s unique stories, objects, landmarks, and places across our diverse state that defined who we are as Tennesseans and Americans. The Commission has a statewide focus on Tennesseans and Tennessee events that have shaped American democracy from the Revolutionary era to the present.
Both Project Support and Community Support Grant applications will be accepted until January 20, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CST). Applicants for the September deadline will be notified of acceptance or rejection by October 30, 2025. Applicants for the January deadline will be notified of acceptance or rejection by February 26, 2026. Additional deadlines may be added at a later date if funding is available. Grants will be made until funding is exhausted.
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The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial has announced the first round of grants awarded for Tennessee America 250 initiatives. A second round of grants will open for application in mid-November (see deadline and info above). The following projects in Davidson County were awarded funding for upcoming projects:
Travellers Rest Historic House Museum (Archival Support Grant)
Andrew Jackson Foundation (Exhibitions and Programs Grant)
Frist Art Museum (Exhibitions and Programs Grant)
Music City, Inc. (Exhibitions and Programs Grant)
Oscar L. Farris Ag Museum (Exhibitions and Programs Grant)
National Museum of African American Music (Community Grant)
Congratulations to all of these organizations! Stay tuned to www.tn250.com for more information about upcoming TN 250 events.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--Holiday LIGHTS--opens November 21
National Museum of African American Music--Musical Gifts: Benefit Concert and Tree Lighting--December 2
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--String City: Nashville's Tradition of Music and Puppetry--December 3
National Museum of African American Music--Sounds in Cinema: Paul Laurence Dunbar--December 3
National Museum of African American Music--Chris Blue & Friends Concert--December 3
Public Square--Metro Nashville Christmas Tree Lighting--December 5
Walk of Fame Park--Nashvillage Holiday Market--December 5
Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society--monthly virtual meeting--December 6
Donelson Hermitage 40th Annual Christmas Parade--December 6
Holidays in the Vue--December 6
Frist Art Museum--Continuing the Vision: A Design Charrette--December 6
TN State Museum--Carols, Cookies and Crafts--December 6
Belle Meade Historic Site--Wreath Making Workshop--December 7
Frist Art Museum--Frist Arts Fest--December 7
Tennessee Residence Christmas Tours--December 5-7 and 12-14
Tennessee Agricultural Museum--Christmas Open House--December 11
TN State Museum--Lunch and Learn-DeFord Bailey: His Life and Music--December 11
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--Jacksonian Christmas Tours--through December 13
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--A Jacksonian Christmas Festival--December 13-14
Belle Meade Historic Site--All that Glitters is Goldleaf--December 14
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Family Program: Velvet Art--December 14
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Holiday Pop-Up: Ornaments at Hatch Show Print--December 14
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--Homeschool Days: A White House Christmas--December 18
Frist Art Museum--Drop-In ARTlab: Embossed Brass ornaments--December 18
Travellers Rest--Date Night at the Museum--December 19
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Holiday Pop-Up: Free Photos with Santa--December 20
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum--Family Program: Appalachian Watercolor--December 21
National Museum of African American Music--R&B Bingo: Holiday Vibes--December 27
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere--Zoolumination--through January 4
Belle Meade Historic Site--Winter Break Family Days--December 29-January 3
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
Frist Art Museum--Architecture Tours--each Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 pm
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
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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