Metro Nashville Historical Commission

Join the Nashville Historical Foundation for the 2026 Ann Roberts Lecture Series, celebrating Nashville women on screen, in art, and in print. This year’s speakers include Demetria Kalodimos, James Hoobler, and Sandra Shelton. The three part series will take place May 14, 21, and 28 at 4:30 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd. Learn more and purchase tickets at the link below!

More Info: Ann Roberts Lecture Series Fundraiser — Nashville Historical Foundation Click here to purchase tickets.

🚗 Preservation Awards Free Parking!

Thank you to Nashville First Baptist Church, 108 7th Ave. S., for generously providing free parking for Preservation Awards guests. Guests may use Lot C, which is located behind the church and is accessible from 6th Ave. S., 7th Ave. S., or Demonbreun St. The Grand Lodge is located directly across Broadway.

We look forward to celebrating with you on Tuesday, May 12!

Please join us for the Jefferson Street “Past, Present, and Future Panel Discussion” on Monday, May 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Pleasant Green Baptist Church. This community conversation will bring together historians, preservation leaders, neighborhood advocates, and development partners to explore Jefferson Street’s historic significance, current investments, and future vision as part of the Jefferson Street Corridor Study. We hope you’ll join us and share your vision for one of Nashville’s most important cultural corridors! Learn more at engage.nashville.gov/jeffersonstreetstudy

Happy Preservation Month! To kick things off, we're excited to share an interview with our new Executive Director, Caroline Eller, published in this week's Nashville Scene!

Talking Preservation With Metro Historical Commission’s New Director As the office reaches 60 years, Nashville native Caroline Eller discusses taking over for longtime leader Tim Walker

🏆Announcing the 50th Annual Preservation Awards, celebrating the best in Nashville’s historic preservation! Join us on May 12 as we honor Zada Law, Phil Claiborne, the Jefferson Street Historical Society, and this year’s Architectural Preservation award winners.

This event is free to attend, no registration required, and open to the public. We hope to see you there for this milestone event!

Please join us for the launch of the newest Nashville Sites tour, City Hall and Public Square, on Sunday, April 19, at 3:00 p.m. on the steps of the Historic Courthouse and City Hall. This free audio tour explores one of Nashville’s most important civic spaces, tracing the evolution of Public Square and the 1937 Art Deco building that brought local government under one roof.

The tour features narration by Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Vice Mayor Angie Emery Henderson and is the first Nashville Sites tour available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Developed by a team of historians and students, it offers an accessible look at the people, places, and events that have shaped Nashville’s civic life.

April 19 also marks a defining moment in the city’s Civil Rights Movement, when thousands marched to the courthouse following the bombing of Z. Alexander Looby’s home. The protest helped bring national attention to local organizers and reshaped the course of the movement in Nashville.

We hope to see you there!

*In the event of inclement weather, the program will move inside to the second floor mezzanine.

Big news and a packed calendar. Check out the April History Gram here!

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TNNASH/bulletins/40d040e

On March 20, the Robert Churchwell Sr. historical marker was unveiled at Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary School, honoring a trailblazer whose impact on journalism and Nashville’s Black community continues to resonate. The well attended ceremony featured four of Mr. Churchwell’s children in attendance, along with remarks from MHC Chair Linda Wynn on the history of education in North Nashville.

Known as “The Jackie Robinson of Journalism,” Churchwell broke barriers as the first Black journalist to work as a full-time reporter for a Southern newspaper, covering stories that reflected the dignity and complexity of Black life in Nashville despite facing discrimination in the newsroom. This new marker ensures his legacy is permanently recognized in the city he helped shape. Read more from the Nashville Banner here:

Marker honors groundbreaking Black journalist Robert Churchwell - Nashville Banner Honoring the legacy of Robert Churchwell, the first Black journalist at a Southern newspaper, a trailblazer in Nashville's history.

Join us on Wednesday, April 8th for a free lecture with Dave McMahan titled, "America's Forgotten History: The Archaeology of Colonial Russian Settlements."

After beginning his archaeology career in Tennessee in the 1970s, Dave McMahan moved to Alaska, where he served as the Alaska State Archaeologist and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. He will discuss his long career and his work exploring the archaeology of Colonial Russia in Alaska.

Event details:
Sunnyside Mansion
1113 Kirkwood Ave., Nashville, TN 37204
April 8, 2026
6:00-7:00 pm

Seating is limited so registration is required. Contact [email protected].

Join us this May for the 50th Annual Metropolitan Historical Commission Preservation Awards! Nominations for outstanding local preservation projects are due Monday, March 9th. Project categories include residential, commercial, religious, educational and institutional, engineering and industrial, and infill construction. Honor awards will also recognize individuals and groups who have had a significant role or impact on the preservation of Nashville's history.

For nomination questions, please email [email protected], subject line "Preservation Awards," or call Scarlett Miles at 615-862-7970 ext.79778.

More information: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/historic-preservation/programs/preservation-awards

45th Annual Nashville Confrence on African-American History and Culture Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.