Sarah Arntz

Sarah is a Program Coordinator with Metro Archives. Her interests and areas of expertise are history, reading books (of any kind), music, travel, Harry Potter, and bingeing a good comedy series. When not in Archives, she is either nose-deep in a book or planning her next trip. Learn more about the fascinating materials found at Metro Archives through their website.

Latest Podcast Episodes

Podcast

Fred Harvey III, Grandson of Fred Harvey

December 23, 2025

In this episode, Sarah talks with Fred Harvey’s grandson, Fred Harvey III. While the iconic Harvey’s Department Store is a central focus, the conversation also explores several other topics—including mid-20th-century Nashville.

Podcast

L.A. Wilson, Author of "Once Upon a Nashville Night: The Story of Mr. Harvey’s Nativity Scene"

November 23, 2025

In this episode, Sarah talks with author L.A. Wilson about her new book on the Nativity Scene that once lit up Centennial Park each Christmas. We cover how the display came to be and the man behind it all—Mr. Harvey.

Podcast

Thomas Patterson, author of "American Populist: Huey Long of Louisiana"

September 7, 2025

In this episode, Sarah chats with Thomas Patterson, a Chicago lawyer and author of a recently published book about Huey Long, the fascinating yet controversial Louisiana politician of the early 20th century. And yes—there’s a Nashville connection.

Podcast

Bob Henderson, Former Naval Flight Officer and Nashville History Researcher

April 15, 2025

During this episode, Sarah talks with Bob Henderson — a former Naval Flight Officer, Air National Guard veteran, avid history researcher (especially aviation), and honorary member of Metro Archives.

Podcast

Ken Fieth, Retired Metro Archivist

December 13, 2024

Metro Archives staff Sarah and Darnetha sit down with their now-retired boss, Ken Fieth, to talk about his life before the Metro Archives, how he first stumbled into the field, and to hear some of his favorite stories from his 31 years with Metro Archives.

Latest Blog Posts

Photos of the mascot musical characters at Opryland

"...But From Now On, We Will Present 'The Grand Ole Opry'..." Part II

December 6, 2025

By

Sarah Arntz

Here’s Part II in our series on the history of the Grand Ole Opry! Part I explored the National Life Company and the early days of WSM—now we’re diving into how the Opry took off and grew into a legend.

View of the Ryman Auditorium/Grand Ole Opry House prior to the 1974 move to the Opryland area

"...But From Now On, We Will Present 'The Grand Ole Opry'..."

November 15, 2025

By

Sarah Arntz

2025 is a milestone year in music history: it marks 100 years since the Grand Ole Opry first graced the airwaves! Pieces of the famous live broadcast’s origin story live in Metro Archives, and we’re excited to share them with you!

Photo of plat books at our storage facility

Keeping up with Metro Archives

August 16, 2025

By

Sarah Arntz

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?

Georgianna McConnell: A Pioneering Aviatrix with Roots in Nashville

July 12, 2025

By

Sarah Arntz

When someone says, “Name a pioneering female pilot from Nashville,” it’s likely the first person who comes to mind is Cornelia Fort. However, there's another aviatrix whose story is important to the Nashville's aviation history: Georgianna McConnell.

View of the construction of the downtown wharf, circa 1921

Building Music City: The Foster & Creighton Company

May 31, 2025

By

Sarah Arntz

When you think "Nashville landmarks," you're likely thinking of Foster & Creighton's work. This construction company played a major role in shaping the city's iconic buildings and infrastructure throughout the 20th century.