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The next Historical Commission public meeting will be held on Monday, February 23 at 12:00 p.m. at the Howard Office Building, 700 President Ronald Reagan Way. You can find a full list of upcoming and previous MHC meetings on our website.
MHC Archaeology Update
Even though the weather has turned cooler, volunteers and students have been hard at work helping to excavate and document several units at Ft. Negley ahead of the renovations to the fort this year. No experience is required to join us in the field or laboratory.
Public volunteers with the archaeology program have now contributed over 800 hours of assistance in the field and in the laboratory. We continue to conduct public excavations at Ft. Negley ahead of the planned renovations. Since the excavations began, volunteers have excavated ten test units and recovered over 3,000 years of history and detailed the lives of soldiers in the fort. Additional volunteer opportunities include assisting in the archaeology laboratory cleaning and cataloging collections from all over Nashville.
Email Dr. Adam Fracchia if you are interested in participating in any of the ongoing excavations or in our archaeology laboratory.
New County Historian Appointed--Dr. Learotha Williams Jr.
Dr. Learotha Williams Jr., a Tennessee State University historian whose work centers on African American history, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and public history, has been appointed Davidson County Historian—becoming the first African American to hold the position.
Williams was appointed by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and confirmed by the Metro Council on January 20 following the retirement of previous County Historian Dr. Carole Bucy at the end of 2025.
At Tennessee State University, Dr. Williams coordinates the North Nashville Heritage Project, an initiative that deepens understanding of the history of North Nashville—particularly Jefferson Street—and its relationship to the broader Nashville community. He also serves on the Metro Historic Zoning Commission, the board of Friends of Fort Negley, a UNESCO Memory Site, and as director of public history for Nashville Sites. In addition, he co-chairs the annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture and owns Past Perfect, LLC, a Nashville-based historical research and consulting firm.
Williams said the appointment expands his ability to share history beyond the classroom. “I’m always looking for better and new ways to teach history,” he said. “If a student is enrolled in a class at TSU, I’m going to give them my very best. But everybody doesn’t attend TSU. This position gives me an opportunity to bring history into other spaces and help people better understand Nashville.”
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Please join us on Friday, February 13, 2026, for the 45th annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture! Both in-person (at Tennessee State University's Avon Williams Campus) and virtual attendance options are available. Pre-registration thru January 31 is $30, and standard registration (February 1-11) is $35. Both ticket types include a catered lunch, printed materials, and attendance for the day-long event. This year’s conference includes eight thoughtful presentations and musical performances by the W. Crimm Singers and MD and Cobalt Blue.
Registration for the 2026 conference is now open! You may register online through our Eventzilla page or return a completed registration form with check. Cash will not be accepted. Important note: check payments must now be made paid to the order of the Nashville Historical Foundation, see details on registration form. No cash or checks will be accepted on the day of the conference—please plan to pay by credit card for purchases at the door. For questions or to receive e-mail updates on the conference, contact Caroline.Eller@nashville.gov.
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The Metropolitan Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for the 50th 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 of 1976 or earlier (50 years of age). Infill projects should be no older than 2023. All projects must have been completed within the past three years. Previous winners may be eligible if the work is significantly different.
Nominations are due Sunday, March 1, 2026.
The awards ceremony will take place in May 2026 in recognition of National Preservation Month. For more program details and submission instructions, please visit our Preservation Awards page!
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The City Cemetery sustained significant damage during the January ice storm, including several downed trees and damaged headstones, like the James Robertson family lot seen here. Site manager Bryan Gilley and groundskeeper Kaden Otte have been on site assessing the damage and will work with NCCA members and Parks staff to remove dangling or fallen tree branches, clear sidewalk and driving paths, and restore damaged gravestones and fences. Follow the Nashville City Cemetery Association on Facebook for more up to date information.
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Bells Bend Park: Enjoy "Ice Cream for Breakfast" at Bells Bend Park on February 7 from 9:30-11:30 am.
Centennial Park and the Parthenon: Guided architecture and museum tours are available each month! The 18th Annual Middle Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition will be on display at the Parthenon through the end of February and the "Forces of Nature" art exhibition will be at the Centennial Art Center through March 5. Kidsville at the Parthenon will take place each Saturday of the month, with free admission to the museum. The TSU Meisetersingers will make their ECHO Chamber Music Series debut on February 8. Join sculptor Alan LeQuire for a "Goddess in Progress," a free, in-person talk about the making of Nashville's Athena on February 9. The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is hosting its Chinese New Year of the Horse Celebration on February 21. This annual event welcomes the community to a discovery and celebration of Chinese culture. This coming Lunar New Year is the Year of the Horse, which symbolizes vitality, perseverance, warm heartedness, and success.
Fort Negley: The Nashville History Club will meet on February 3 with guest speaker Sandra Shelton presenting on the Satsuma Tea Room, on February 10 Jeffry John Stein will present The Movie 'Nashville' and on February 24 Kem Hinton will present on his new book Nether Land. On February 10, historian and author Ross Massey will present McFadden's Bend in the Stones River Campaign at the Nashville Civil War Roundtable.
Shelby Bottoms: Join members of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society as they set up telescopes and all ages are invited to enjoy the views of the night sky at the Winter Star Party on February 21 from 6:30-8:30 pm.
Warner Park: Hang out with naturalist Mr. Will to explore the rocks and fossils of Warner Parks on February 21 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
The Main Library will remain closed following the fire in the adjacent parking garage.
In 2016, the Metro Archives at NPL received an unexpected gift: more than 200 wartime love letters between Sergeant Raymond Whittaker and his sweetheart, a young Vanderbilt employee named Jane Dean. Decades later, their letters give us an intimate window into a piece of local Black history. View the Whittaker Letters Project, a special photo essay to admire just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Freedom Songs fully expressed the feelings, emotions, desires, and faith of the participants in the American Civil Rights movement. At Soundtrack for a Revolution, learn how the music kept morale high and the spirit of unity strong during the fight for equality. Archival footage includes two Nashville-related stories: lunch counter sit-ins (1960) and the Freedom Rides (1961). Includes performances by a stellar lineup of contemporary artists, and interviews with dozens of civil rights leaders and foot soldiers. Events will be held at the North Branch on February 7 and Edgehill Branch on February 21.
Celebrate the artistry of Nashville-born sculptor William Edmondson on February 9 at the Madison Branch as they create faux cement sculptures. No experience needed.
Join a lively book discussion at the Bellevue Branch on February 10 as they discuss A most tolerant little town: the explosive beginning of school desegregation by Rachel Louise Martin.
Join members of the Nashville Opera as they perform musical selections from the young adult book When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan at the East Branch on February 10, Edgehill Branch on February 14, North Branch on February 18, and Bordeaux Branch on February 21.
Federal Historic Preservation Fund Grants Open
The Tennessee Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, is accepting Federal Historic Preservation Fund Grant applications through February 28, 2026. The grant program reimburses 60 percent of the project costs, with a 40 percent match of project funds from the grantee. Grants for FY26 will be awarded based on federal funding availability.
The selection process prioritizes projects that provide public benefit. Grant applications will fall into one of two categories: survey and planning or restoration. The former includes projects to document historic resources through survey, National Register of Historic Places nominations, or assist local communities to develop design guidelines or preservation plans. Restoration projects include preservation projects or plans that restore an important feature of a building listed in the National Register. Additional priorities include those that meet the goals and objectives of the Tennessee Historical Commission’s plan for historic preservation.
Applications are submitted through the TDEC Grant Management System (GMS). Visit the website for additional information and access to GMS.
Frist Art Museum--Panel: The Life and Legacy of Barbara Bullock--February 5
Belle Meade Historic Site--Family Mardi Gras Party--February 7
Bellevue Harpeth Historic Association--"The Day the Whistles Cried" with Betsy Thorpe at Bellevue Church of Christ--February 8
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere--Zoolumination--through February 8
Belle Meade Historic Site--Language of Flowers: A Valentine’s Floriography Workshop--February 8
TN State Museum--Homeschool Day: African American History Month--February 10
Frist Art Museum--Austin Peay CECA Artist’s Talk: Omari Booker--February 12
Travellers Rest--Galentine's Flowers and Friends--February 13
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--A Presidential Valentine: The Love Story of Andrew & Rachel Jackson--February 14
Belle Meade Historic Site--Victorian Valentine's Day Family Party--February 14
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens--2026 Middle Tennessee Scholastic Art Exhibition--opens February 14
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--Presidents' Day with President Abraham Lincoln--February 16
National Museum of African American Music--Playing Beyond The Field: Sporting Soundtracks: An Evening with the Players and Sounds of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball--February 19
Frist Art Museum--Panel Discussion: “Food for Thought: In Her Place”--February 19
TN State Museum--Lunch and Learn: The Black Family Who Built America--February 19
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--Enslaved Memorial Commemoration--February 21
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage--From Slavery to Statesman: The Journey of Frederick Douglass-February 21
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 historicalcommission@nashville.gov
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