Jeff Syracuse

10/07/2026

10/04/2026

Thanks to Liz DeSantis with WKRN News 2 for the great reporting sharing the story of our efforts over the years. We’re very proud of the total exterior restoration that occurred, and the work continues. We’re now focused on interior restoration to continue the goal of becoming an interpretative house museum, as well as restoring the boxwood garden. In addition, expanding our tour and educational programming is equally as important. We truly appreciate everyone’s support of Friends of Two Rivers as we carry on this important work to restore, protect, and promote the history of Two Rivers.

Two Rivers Mansion gets new life in $4.5M restoration

10/03/2026

Thanks to Hayley Wielgus with WKRN News 2 for this great article going down memory lane with Benton Smothers of Holladay Properties at Donelson Plaza and the long journey to bring its revitalization with a new Nashville Public Library - Donelson Branch as its anchor.

Many longtime residents will remember Donelson Plaza in its heyday. It opened in 1961 with Nashville-based Castner Knott as the anchor department store. It was also home to Woolworth’s and se…

10/02/2026

One more personal Phil Ponder story that means so much to me and highlights how supportive he was as I was seeking his guidance. Years ago when I was in the process of founding Donelson Hills Neighborhood Association, I was thinking about a unique identity and graphic representation about what we were trying to create as an organization. I recall I was at a Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce luncheon and sat with Phil talking about the decade-long journey prior evolving the Neighborhood Watch program we started into a formal Neighborhood Association. I asked him if he’d be willing to design a simple logo for us and he was so gracious and supportive of what I was trying to do that just a few days later, he sent me this. This served as our inaugural logo and it was such an honor to launch our new organization branded by Phil Ponder. I proudly framed this and it’s always brought back great memories of my earlier days of community organizing. There hasn’t been a period of my life as a community leader that Phil wasn’t right there supporting and cheering me on, which he did for every young community leader. An extraordinary man that set the bar for community service.

10/01/2026

I join with the beautifully written and heartfelt words from so many mourning the passing of Phil Ponder. I’ve loved reading the shared personal experiences with Phil and they speak to how deeply he meant to so many. I’m so thankful for how he truly enriched my life.

Phil was always one of the first to recognize and support young leaders rising up to serve their communities. “Service to others before self” I remember hearing from Phil as a Class of 2013 member of L'Evate when he spoke to us from the lectern in the TN State House Chambers. The message and the way he delivered it has always stuck with me.

A short story I remember that makes me smile… I was fired up at my campaign kickoff twelve years ago to run for District 15 Council Member in the 2015 election. I’m thankful to Ryman for hosting it in Studio A behind the Grand Ole Opry. Maybe I was too fired up. I spoke way too long, maybe 30-40 minutes. Phil came up to me a few days later (we would always joke that it was the sixth or whatever time that we’d seen each other that week…) and congratulated me on a great kickoff, and then he looked at me straight with a smile and said, “don’t ever speak for that long again, trust me”. Phil knew how to teach a lesson with love. But he was absolutely right. Every time I spoke at an event after that ever since, he’d come pat me on the shoulder and say, “Good job, wasn’t too long.” We’d always laugh. Among all the many ways he deeply inspired and supported me in my support of community, the arts, historic preservation, and being an effective Council Member, I can also say with a smile and a laugh that he made me a better public speaker.

After I left office in 2023, my area Council Members, Bradford, Evans, Gregg, and Huffman, gave me this signed print of Two Rivers Mansion. It’s a beautiful gift I prominently display at home and his note means the world.

He guided me in service to the community up until just recently. Last year as I became President of Friends of Two Rivers of Two Rivers, as we were growing, we created an Advisory Council to provide guidance. Phil wholeheartedly said yes to serving on it and was just so giving and brilliant with his engagement.

I will sorely miss Phil. He was an amazing friend and will inspire me for the rest of my life.

09/28/2026

Check out this great milestone and update of restoring Nashville’s 576! The amazing team at Nashville Steam is doing extraordinary work. A bit more fundraising is needed to get across the finish line, but progress is happening daily.

09/23/2026

Our next Movies at the Mansion event featuring “National Treasure” is this Friday 9/25. We’re also celebrating Dolly along with the rest of the community so we’re offering tours from 5-8pm before the movie for just $9.25.

It’s Dolly Day at the Mansion! 🦋

The grounds will open early for tours this Friday September 25th in celebration of Dolly Day. Special pricing of $9.25 per guest for tours. Come take a tour and stay for the movie!

Movie ticket pricing:
🎟️ $10 or ($30 max per vehicle for nonmembers)
$5 or ($20 max per vehicle for members)

Movie begins as it gets darker.

09/14/2026

Next Music at the Mansion featuring Moonlighters Big Band this Saturday, September 19!

🎶 Saturday Night Plans? Consider Them Made.

Big Band music. Dancing under the stars. A historic mansion as the backdrop. ✨

Join us on the lawn at Two Rivers Mansion for Music at the Mansion featuring The Moonlighters Big Band! 🎺🎷🎶

Grab your lawn chair or favorite blanket, pack a cooler, bring your dancing shoes, and settle in for a beautiful fall evening filled with live music.

🌳 Gates open at 6 PM — come early, grab dinner from one of our food trucks & find the perfect spot on the lawn.
🎤 Announcements at 7 PM
🎶 The Moonlighters take the stage around 7:30 PM

🎟️ Admission
$10 per person • $30 max per vehicle
Friends Members: $5 per person • $20 max per vehicle

✨ Coolers welcome. Dancing encouraged. Good times practically guaranteed.

There’s just something special about live music on the lawn of a 160-year-old mansion. ❤️

📍 Two Rivers Mansion
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/music-at-the-mansion-featuring-the-moonlighters-big-band

Tag your concert crew, pack the chairs, and we’ll see you on the lawn! 🎶🌙

08/29/2026

Join Friends of Two Rivers for Music at the Mansion featuring Two Rivers Community Orchestra! Free concert tomorrow, Sunday August 30. Grounds open at 3pm. Concert at 4pm. Limited tour availability on a first come first serve basis starting at 3pm before the show. Thanks to Nashville International Airport as our Presenting Sponsor!

Join us for our next Music at the Mansion event featuring a free patriotic performance from Two Rivers Community Orchestra on the lawn of the mansion, Sunday, August 30! Lawn opens at 3pm and concert starts at 4pm. Limited tours of the mansion will begin at 3pm on a first-come-first-serve basis until the show starts. Thanks to Nashville International Airport as our Presenting Sponsor and Wilson Bank & Trust as our Heritage Partner! Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

08/22/2026

I attended the community meeting hosted by Jeff Gregg Metro Council 15 about 115 Cottage Ln.

I again attach an image of the existing historic structure here and the site plan proposal.

The owner / developer and engineer spoke for just a few minutes each. No one had the opportunity to ask questions as there were two separate development proposals on the agenda for this meeting. Instead, those that have questions about 115 Cottage Ln were directed to ask questions of the Donelson Hills Neighborhood Association Board or Cottage Place Condos Board.

My open questions and comments:

1) Please detail how this two part process will work - 1) Subdivision plan that goes before the Planning Commission that proposes to divide the single lot into five, and 2) Site layout plan that goes before the Historic Zoning Commission for review of the impact to existing historic structure, size of additional structures, aesthetics, etc.

2) It was stated they will not go forward with the Thursday, August 27 Planning Commission meeting to subdivide the property into five separate lots. The engineer after the meeting told me this will be deferred to the September 24 Planning Commission meeting. Many of us have fundamental concerns about this layout. This deferral will not allow enough time for proper community feedback and meetings. So, what’s the plan for the community process?

3) CM Gregg stated in a previous post that the original proposal he received was for 40 townhomes. The only way that could’ve worked is if you knock down the existing historic house. That can’t happen because I put a Historic Overlay on the house and I know CM Gregg supports it remaining. Was there a site plan for that proposal? If so, that is contradictory to the statement that the owner / developer made that he cares deeply for the historic property. He also stated that he intends to show deference to the existing historic structure, yet his proposal does nothing of the sort. That level of contradiction fuels mistrust. Words and actions must align. So far, they’ve been diametrically opposite of each other. I want to see the site plan as proposed Withdrawn so the neighborhood can meet with him and his team and give feedback before a formal process begins.

4) As stated, if initial meetings will only occur with the two neighborhood boards, when will a full neighborhood meeting occur and does the property owner commit to having that meeting before they move forward with the existing proposal or any amended proposal? Will Planning and/or Historic Zoning staff attend to help answer questions?

5) Please direct the community to where the Historic Zoning staff comments are that are part of the Subdivision review process that goes before the Planning Commission so the public can learn how this is being reviewed and what Historic Zoning concerns and comments are. How will their review and comments impact the owner / developer’s proposal?