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L.A. Wilson, Author of "Once Upon a Nashville Night: The Story of Mr. Harvey’s Nativity Scene"
Back in the Day podcast with L.A. Wilson
In this festive season episode of Back in the Day, Sarah chats with the author of the newly-released Once Upon a Nashville Night: The Story of Mr. Harvey's Nativity Scene.
As a child, Wilson was one of the lucky Nashvillians who saw the Nativity Scene firsthand, and the memory stayed with her. Drawing on that inspiration—along with her experience as a researcher and editor—she set out to tell the story of how the beloved display came to be.
Highlights of the Display
While I highly recommend buying or checking out the book to get the full story, here are a few highlights from Wilson’s research:
Fred Harvey was the mind behind the display, but bringing the idea to life took the work of George Silvestri Jr. of the Silvestri Art Manufacturing Company and sculptor Guido Rebechini.
The Nativity Scene debuted on December 10, 1953. The dedication ceremony took place at 5 p.m. in a brisk 32 degrees. Within a week, it was reported that more than 320,000 people had viewed the display—and many more were expected.
It ran from 1953 to 1967.
- While there are several versions of the story about what inspired Harvey to create the display, the main inspiration is said to have been a life-sized nativity scene he saw in Europe.
Highlights of the Podcast
- Photos of the display from Metro Archives
View of the Nativity Scene in Centennial Park, date: 1953. City Photographer Collection. 
Onlookers enjoying the Nativity Scene at Centennial Park, unknown date. Bob Henderson Scans/Collection. 
Mayor Ben West shaking hands with Fred Harvey at the Nativity Scene in 1953. City Photographer Collection.
- We mention Fred Harvey’s philanthropy and his dedication to his staff
We even have photos from the day he took his employees to the courthouse to register to vote. Take a look…
Fred Harvey with Mayor Ben West and the Harvey's staff as they visit the courthouse to register to vote, unknown date. City Photographer Collection.
- We mention that Metro Archives now owns the Lebeck’s sign
Lebeck’s was the store that occupied the 6th and Church building before Denton & Company and later Harvey’s. I took a photo showing where the sign sits today in relation to its original location. Check it out here (it’s not as perfectly aligned as I hoped, but close enough)…
The Lebeck Bros store sign that now resides in Metro Archives. Lebeck's was formerly located in the building at 6th and Church until it went out of business following the Depression.
- We mention the origins of "Black Friday"
Turns out, I was way off (sort of). Here's the history of the day from History.com.
- And lastly, if you’d like to check out the book, you can place a hold on it here
Click here to view the Library catalog and place the book on hold.
Our next podcast episode will be with: Fred Harvey III
~ Sarah