Nashville / Community History

Photo of plat books at our storage facility
With the Main Library temporarily closed after the June 10th fire in the adjacent parking garage, Metro Archives has been working at our offsite storage facility – where there are plenty of projects waiting for us. Wanna know what we've been working on?
Up close view of the card from President Clinton
In celebration of the holiday season, Metro Archives is featuring the Jo Ann Connor Collection in our latest exhibit. The collection consists of Christmas cards that Jo Ann received from various U.S. presidents over the years, following her husband's MIA status during the Vietnam War.
Photo of the historic flight crew after they returned home
Didn't attend Metro Archives opening program for their current aviation exhibit? No worries, check out the recording of the program here! The exhibit is "Nashville's Magellan of the Air: 100th Anniversary of the First Flight to Circumnavigate the World". It runs through October 7th, 2024.
Dr Bunch
Metro Archives Fall Intern Jamie Erwin processed a standout collection for her internship—the Dr. Ray C. Bunch Collection. Few, if any, medical collections in our repository are this thorough. Jamie shares Dr. Bunch’s story in her own words.
Sidney O'Berry Collection - State Capitol covered in snow in 1976
If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, you might get your wish. In Nashville? Yes! How common is that? Not very, according to our weather reports and news clippings. But here are the highlights from the few times it has occurred.
Book cover of hardbound volume features map of Tennessee divided by five lines.
First written in March 2018, this post explores why genealogy research spikes in late winter—something that resurfaced during quarantine. We welcome the interest! Here’s a guide to our most-used genealogy resources, research tips, and updates, including Ancestry Library Edition.
Scarritt-Bennett Center Collection - Celebration of Culture Festival
The semester is wrapping up, so Metro Archives is sharing another great blog post from our fall intern, Morgan Stence. Morgan processed the Scarritt Bennett Collection, which includes materials from the Celebration of Cultures Festival—learn about it in her own words.
Fire Company Number 4
October is Archives' Month - a month-long celebration of archivists and archival work. And this year's theme is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. So "We didn't Start the Fire!", but we're helping prevent future ones from happening!
Portrait of Genevieve Baird Farris
This edition of the Metro Archives' intern blog post series comes to you from summer intern, Sabrina Austin, who processed the Genevieve Baird Farris Collection for her internship project. While processing, Sabrina learned about the strong affection the Harris family had for each other, as well as how active they were in Nashville social life. Learn about them from Sabrina herself!
1888 Sanborn Maps
The third week of June marks Lightning Safety Awareness Week, and thanks to our volunteers, we’re currently transcribing more weather journals. Here are a few excerpts highlighting some of Nashville’s past “electrical events.”
Tennessean clipping from May, 1950
The 1950 U.S. Census was released on April 1, 2022, offering new information for family researchers. It also introduced new search tools—which can be tricky at first—so here are a few tips to help guide your research.
Nashville City Cemetery
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of Nashville's oldest continuously-operated public cemetery - the Nashville City Cemetery. Nestled quaintly on the northeast side of Fort Negley and just off 4th Ave S, the cemetery might seem like only a quiet piece of Nashville's history, with only the graves of many Nashvillians. But if it could speak, it would have many interesting anecdotes to tell.
Listing for W.T. Berry & Co. in 1859
Bookstores are always popular during the holidays, especially local favorites like Parnassus and Elder's Bookstore. Curious about Nashville’s bookstore history? Intern Sapphire has you covered.
View of Archives front doors
October isn’t just about pumpkin spice and ghosts—it’s also Archives Month! We celebrate archivists and the importance of historical records. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Metro Archives and our staff.
Page from Newsweek magazine, from September 2001
This is part II in the series commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks. This post continues with more library staff memories of that day.
Photo of 9/11 Memorial in NYC
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and to remember all those lost due to that day's tragic events, this post takes a look back at that day through the eyes of several Library staff members, and a few other unique perspectives.
Main Library under construction.
Can you believe it?! The downtown library has called Church Street home for 20 years now! Let's take a look back at the history of the downtown library, and how it came to call 615 Church Street home.
From Metro Archives Photos - Metro Council member, Thelma Harper
The world lost an extraordinary woman on April 22nd, 2021, when former State Senator Thelma Harper passed away. After making history by becoming the first African American female elected to the State Senate, her work of shattering ceilings was far from over.
From City Beautiful Scrapbook in 1956 - Ford Green Elementary students with anti-litter signs
Keeping the streets, rivers, and neighborhoods clean in this city over the years hasn't been easy, but one of the ways was with the City Beautiful Commission, that was established in 1953. In honor of Earth Day, here's a look at the commission that helped clean up the streets.
Photo of Colonel George H Morgan
Colonel George H. Morgan received the nation's highest military honor and went on to teach at Hume-Fogg High School in 1924-1925.
Tennessean photo from 2003 when the bears were being cleaned
Most citizens of this city that have lived here for a few years know what I'm referring to when I say the "Edgehill Polar Bears", but do you know the history of them? Well here are the "bear" necessities.
James Estes' voter registration card, 1945
Since most of this year has seemed like an episode out of a sci-fi novel, and it's not lost on anyone that we're living through a major historical event, here are some suggestions of important things you might consider keeping for posterity's sake. 
Sign advertising the construction of the Municipal Auditorium
While September is normally my month for educational posts, I'm bypassing that this year for something different - new images and footage! As a continuation from a previous post with old photos, this post includes a slideshow of a collection I've been processing the past few weeks, plus some new footage from our Audiovisual Heritage Center. 
Ad from the Nashville Globe newspaper for Dr. Josie E. Wells
Since we're closed, here's a virtual tour of Metro Archives' current exhibit of "Nashville Voices - 36 Notable Women of Nashville", as it's finished right now. And discussing one of the recently added women in the display - Dr. Josie E. Wells...maybe a couple more individuals as I continue working
Historical photo of a group of nurses in 1902.
This month’s Nashville history post lets photography do the talking, with a series of slideshows to enjoy. It begins with a tribute to medical workers for their dedication during these challenging times and ends with a bit of “Some Good News—Archives Edition.”
A handwritten letter from Nashville, Tennessee, dated 1933, featuring elegant cursive script on aged, folded paper.
With extra time during a month of quarantine, it’s a good opportunity to preserve family ephemera. This blog post, contributed by my coworker Christine Irizarry, highlights the importance of family letters and offers tips on preserving family records.
Word search document with a jumble of letters and a list of words to find.
With schools closed and parents suddenly homeschooling, it can be tough to teach on short notice with limited resources. That’s where Metro Archives and the Library come in—and learning can still be fun! Here’s a word search featuring words and names tied to Nashville’s founding.
Headline from the Tennessan for Every Dark Cloud Has a Silver Lining.
Borrowing John Krasinski’s idea of sharing “Some Good News,” here are historic Nashville news clippings from past pandemics and epidemics. Rather than focusing on devastation, these highlight positive stories and moments of hope from those same difficult times.
Three men dance around police vehicles.
This year has started off rather interestingly—and by interesting, I mean not great so far. So instead of a long history post, I’m sharing photos this month. Here are some of my favorites from our collection, and I hope they bring a smile to your face.
Headshot of Dr. Dorothy Brown from a yearbook.
In honor of African American History Month and to highlight individuals featured in Metro Archives’ new display on Nashville women, this blog post is dedicated to a few notable women of Music City.
Closed for violation of National Prohibition Act by order United States District Court
2020 marks several important anniversaries, including the 19th Amendment, celebrated with a new permanent Special Collections exhibit and additional temporary displays. It also marks 100 years since Prohibition began, a milestone that had a lasting impact on the country.
Vintage poster advertising that Coal is the life blood of the struggle.
This time of year is often tied to holidays and cold weather, and keeping warm with HVAC systems. But there was a time in Nashville’s past when staying warm meant dealing with soot-filled air and far less comfortable heating methods.
Tennessean front page from 1969 about man walking on the moon.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. In honor of that milestone, Metro Archives recently hosted an exhibit highlighting Nashville’s role in space exploration. Here are a few items featured in the exhibit.
Ad for Dury's business in the Tennessean, in 1978
As part 1 of a 3-part series on Nashville photography institution Dury’s—and in honor of National Photography Month—read about how one of the city’s oldest businesses got its start and has remained a beloved staple in Nashville over the years.
Newspaper clipping with the headline "Tense Throng Hears Liggett Deny Mrs. Cunningham's Charges."
It’s the month of love (the end of it), but that can also mean heartbreak. Take a look back at an unfortunate story from Nashville’s past—about 90 years ago—when a love affair went horribly wrong.
Green film container.
Welcome to the sixth post in Nashville Metro Archives’ Audiovisual Conservation Center’s blog mini-series about film preservation. Throughout this series we have taken you through the process of identifying, conserving, and rehousing over 400 rare and unique films from our collection.
Black and white photo of Black man in white shirt and striped tie with words Pioneer in the Newsroom written above.
Exploring the holdings of Main Library’s Special Collections, I stumbled upon a local figure I hadn’t heard of before—Robert Churchwell. Hired by the Nashville Banner in 1950, Churchwell was the first black journalist and full-time reporter for a Southern newspaper.
Green film container.
Welcome to the fifth post in Nashville Metro Archives’ Audiovisual Conservation Center’s blog mini-series! In this series, you are invited in for a behind-the-scenes look at our year-long project to conserve and catalog the archive’s rare and unique film collection.
Black and white photo of five men in uniform from the 30th division company e.
This Veterans Day marks 100 years since the signing of the Armistice between the Allied countries and Germany, ending fighting on the Western Front and marking the beginning of the end of World War I.
Photo of the Edward Carmack statue in front of the capitol building
Anyone who’s walked down Charlotte Ave near the Capitol may recognize the statues along its edges—Sam Davis on the southwest corner and Sgt. Alvin C. York on the southeast. But do you know who stands in the middle, overlooking it all, or why that figure is there?
Green film container.
Welcome to Post #2 in our series documenting the Metro Archives’ Audiovisual Conservation Center’s Film Conservation Project. Over the next few months, we are engaged in an exciting project to conserve and identify over 400 rare and unique vintage films in the Metro Archives collection.
Green film container.
The Metro Archives’ Audiovisual Conservation Center is located at the Main Library in downtown Nashville. We're hosting a new series on the blog documenting our latest project to identify and perform conservation on over 400 rare and unique films from our collection. Welcome to our corner!
A notice for Capitol Chevrolet stating they will be closed today due to the death of their president, Mr. W. Harris Gourley.
Last month marked the 50th anniversary of the murder of W. Haynie Gourley, the owner of Capitol Chevrolet on Murfreesboro Rd. Today, this tragedy remains as one of Nashville's most notorious unsolved crimes.
newspaper clipping shows black man in suit speaking with multiple microphones. captioned now is the time.
It’s been 50 years since the death of Martin Luther King Jr., yet his teachings and legacy continue to endure. In honor of his impact, here’s a look back at how his work shaped Nashville.
Vintage sepia photo of a soldier in uniform standing with a woman in a fur coat in front of a brick house.
In honor of African American History Month (and also the month of love), I'm honoring a local Nashville citizen and veteran, Raymond Whittaker, from the small collection of his correspondence, ephemera, and photos we have here in Archives.
early twentieth century factory building has a bicycle out front next to a guardhouse entry.
Most people know Nashville as “Music City,” but have you heard its other nickname—“the Powder City of the World”? If you know the history of Old Hickory and DuPont, you probably have. If not, read on.
News clipping showing a photo of John F. Kennedy.
Though November marks the last month of his life, May of this year would have marked JFK's 100th birthday; May 29th to be exact. In honor of this milestone, here's a look back at a few of President Kennedy's visits to Nashville, as well as a few anecdotes from people that remember the day he died.
Headshot from a Cohn High School yearbook in 1963.
If the name “Paula Herring” sounds familiar, you may already know where this is going. If not, keep reading. This post explores the tragic 1964 murder of young Paula Herring, drawing from Michael Bishop’s new book, A Murder in Music City: Corruption, Scandal, and the Framing of an Innocent Man.
Stain glass windows at the Ryman Auditorium.
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Nashville Public Library is excited to help celebrate the 125th anniversary of Ryman Auditorium and host Ryman Auditorium: Soul of Nashville, a brand new art exhibit exploring the iconic venue’s rich history. The exhibit is on display at NPL’s Main Library downtown from October 21 through February 25. 
school classroom with children.
Nearly 60 years ago, Nashville began a “stair-step” plan to integrate public schools, following the landmark 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education. The process was gradual and met with significant resistance and pushback along the way.
A vintage, sepia-toned photograph of a bright crescent moon against a dark sky. Handwritten text at the top reads "Phases of Eclipse - 1917."
As the country collectively experienced its first total eclipse in many years on Monday, here’s a look back at some of the eclipses Nashville has witnessed in the past.
Black and white photo of a police station from a 1904 city directory.
Nashville is a city whose past is often overlooked—or intentionally forgotten—but that doesn’t make it any less fascinating. In Brian Allison’s recently published book, Murder & Mayhem in Nashville, he explores some of the city’s more macabre and peculiar stories.
six buffalo graze in front of a zoo building.
Before the Nashville Zoo opened in 1991, the city nearly purchased animals for a zoo around the time Metro Government formed in 1963. I recently stumbled across this fascinating story and thought it was too good not to share.
1795 survey map of Tennessee.
June 1, 1796 marked Tennessee’s birth as a state—feels like just yesterday. In honor of the years since, here’s a brief look at Tennessee’s beginnings and how the state celebrated its centennials through the years.
A vintage black-and-white photo of a woman kissing a baseball player in a "VOLS" jersey over a dugout railing.
Nashville may be known as Music City, but we also LOVE our professional sports – whether the boys have sticks, bats, or footballs, fans will turn out to cheer on our local teams.
aerial view of downtown nashville.
When people visit Metro Archives, I like to say we’re more than a repository of city records. While we preserve historic documents, it’s the photographs from across Nashville that best tell the city’s story. In honor of National Photography Month, explore some of our favorite images from the past.
Father Ryan High School, exterior.
Though its campus is visible from I-65 South near Armory Lane, Father Ryan High School hasn’t always been at its Norwood Drive location. Metro Archives holds photos of the former building, its demolition, and other materials that tell the story of the school’s history.
Early model of a passenger airplane flying low over farmland.
Airplanes crossing Nashville skies barely catch our attention today—but imagine life when flight was first being tested. Starting March 28 through May 31, Metro Archives will explore how Nashvillians experienced the early advances of aviation technology.
portrait of woman wearing decorative scarf.
In honor of African American History Month, I’m recognizing Senator Thelma Harper of District 19, the first African American woman elected to the Tennessee State Senate. Before her historic 1991 election, she served eight years on the Davidson County Metro Council.
Construction photo from the Titans Stadium.
Hard to believe it’s been 18 years since the Titans’ first game in their new home and jerseys. Through seasons of players and coaches, they’ve remained a hometown favorite. Construction on “Adelphia Coliseum” began in May 1997. Metro Archives has photos of the build—enjoy some Titans nostalgia!
Old magazine cover showing family listening to radio
The Special Collections Division holds a surprisingly wide array of resources about local radio stations and radio culture.
wide avenue in big city. A parade with flags horses and a blimp.
Though this was the first year that Metro Nashville Government closed for Veteran's Day, we've never neglected honoring the ever-important holiday. Check out some of the documents and memorabilia from Metro Archives.
1984 class photo of University School of Nashville boys' grammar school class.
The educational system in Nashville has changed quite a bit over the years, but the core subjects have always remained at the forefront of teaching. But with a few changes, would you have excelled if you had been in school about 100 years ago?
Black-and-white photo of a man speaking from a podium decorated with the Olympic rings against a fluted backdrop.
Did you know Nashville has an Olympic history? It’s small, but real. While Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Games (and Salt Lake City the 2002 Winter Games), Nashville once mounted a strong campaign to host the 1996 Olympics—challenging ideas about its size and infrastructure.
Bailey School PTA Book
As another school year begins, thousands of parents will reconvene together with local schoolteachers in parent-teacher organizations and associations.
Archival photo of East Nashville after the fire.
On March 22, 1916, a fire raged through East Nashville. By the end of day, more than 600 homes and businesses were destroyed by fire over 35 city blocks.
Metro Nashville seal.
53 years ago, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County was implemented, combining two separate governments into one. Learn more about the consolidation process and how it helped shape the city Nashville is today.
Bookmobile photo in black and white.
This week is National Library Week, and the American Library Association has selected "Libraries Transform" as its theme. While the Nashville Public Library has received widespread recognition in recent years, we have a long history of innovation and outreach to our community.
Program for the closing exercises at the Nashville College for Young Ladies in 1882.
I transferred to the Archives a month ago and have been diving into the collections ever since. One of the coolest I’ve discovered is the small collection on the Nashville College for Young Ladies. In honor of Women’s History Month, what better topic to explore than women’s education?
Archival display showing a vintage Christmas card next to a pamphlet that reads Happy New Year.
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This month's post is about the holiday season and some of the literary treats that accompany it, such as the classic Christmas tale A Christmas Carol.  It also includes instructions on creating ornaments from recycled Christmas Carols!
Woman in a kitchen surrounded by old silver.
The holiday season brings with it tables full of home-baked goodness. Cookies, cakes, pies, turkey, ham, potatoes, casseroles – the list is nearly infinite. The next time all the cooking seems to be just too much for you – consider our foremothers a century ago.
Illustration of two horses in a wagon.
What is "ephemera"? And how do you pronounce it, anyway? Ephemera (pronounced: "i-FEM-ur-uh"), refers to anything short-lived.
Fair Cookbook
One of our most prized possessions at the Metro Archives is a rare cookbook compiled for the first Tennessee State Fair, held in Nashville at the fairgrounds in 1906. There are few of these left, and it's an artifact that marks a tradition that has been part of Nashville's history for over a century
Selma march during Civil Rights era.
Watching the new movie Selma was like seeing Nashville's Civil Rights "All Stars": James Bevel, Diane Nash, C.T. Vivian, John Lewis, Bernard LaFayette are all depicted in the film.
Group of people at a table recording stories.
When I mention the day after Thanksgiving what do you think of? Leftover turkey? Black Friday shopping? Football games? These are all great things about the last Friday in November but did you know that this day is also National Day of Listening?