Science and How It Works

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.
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.”
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
Vintage poster advertising that Coal is the life blood of the struggle.
This time of year may mostly be associated with the various holidays we celebrate, but it's also well-associated with cold, awful weather (except for these past few weeks) and keeping ourselves warm with our HVAC systems. However, there was a time in Nashville's past that staying warm also meant being covered in soot as well. 
Tennessean front page from 1969 about man walking on the moon.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. In honor of that momentous occasion, Metro Archives recently had an exhibit highlighting Nashville's impact on space exploration. Here are a few things included in the exhibit! 
Little girl with blue shirt and floral hat waters a raised flower bed.
Whether you have room for a acre mini-farm or a single pot in a sunny window, your child can benefit from growing things! 
woman is visiting with child at a kitchen table set with tea.
There are a lot of little ways you as a parent or caregiver can help prepare your child for Kindergarten. One of these ways is to cook with your child.
Autographed photo from Margaret Rhea Seddon showing her floating in the space shuttle.
This spring, as we read the 2019 Nashville Reads book Hidden Figures, and reimagine our country’s history together, there’s no better place than Nashville Public Library to explore the "hidden figures" in our own local history. Dr. Margaret Rhea Seddon is one of these local hidden figures with an incredible story about reaching the stars.
Drawing of a spider with glasses.
Summer is a great time for getting outside and exploring all the tiny creatures that surround us. Check out these activities and books to help you and your kids learn more about all the creepy crawlies hiding in plain sight!
US Department of Agriculture weather record for Nashville January 24, 1925.
Who loves talking about the weather?! Me, that's who! Did you know the early beginnings of the National Weather Service was actually under the U.S. Army in what was called the Signal Service? Actually it's not that surprising, but what might be is that here in Metro Archives, we have several of their original journals from the Nashville station. Read on if you're intrigued...