Parks and Recreation

Fort Negley

VISIT -- Site Rules -- Directions -- Group tours -- Book a tour
LEARN -- History timeline -- Teacher Resources -- Scout programs -- Ask us a question
PROGRAMS -- Upcoming events -- Dulcimers -- String band
ENLIST -- Volunteer -- Interpret -- Internships
LINKS
CONTACT US -- Sign up for Cultural Arts -- Email newsletter

center sunsetGateway to Nashville’s Civil War past

Explore Nashville’s Civil War History at Fort Negley.

Come into the Visitors Center and learn how the Union Army captured Nashville in 1862 as you watch the film The Fall of Nashville. The river, turnpikes, and railroads had spurred the growth of the city from its beginnings. The Union Army occupied the city to control these transportation routes. Almost overnight, Nashville was transformed into the Union Army’s major supply depot for the Western Theater of the war.

cannonLearn the story of the 2,768 people who built Negley. It was the largest of a group of forts built by the Union, and the largest inland masonry fort built during the Civil War. It was 600 feet long, 300 feet wide, and covered four acres of land. The workers lived in a contraband camp on the northeast side of the worksite, and were both free blacks and slaves who had been conscripted by the Union to serve as laborers. Between 600 and 800 died during the construction, and only 310 ever received pay.

mapSee photos of Nashville during the Occupation and learn about the Fort’s architecture and artillery with interactive displays. A kiosk in the lobby provides a link to the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System where you can search for your Civil War ancestors.

Walk up the hill to the remains of Fort Negley. Enter through the sally port used by Union troops, gaze to the south from the observation deck, and imagine the lives of the men who worked and fought here and the citizens of Nashville whose lives would never be the same.

VISIT

-- Site Rules

soldierFort Negley is a sensitive and fragile historic site. By abiding by these requirements, you help ensure the fort is protected for future generations.

  • Metal detectors, relic hunting and digging are strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted. (Metro Ordinances 11.24.30, 13.24.490)
  • Stay on designated paths and boardwalks.
  • Do not climb on or otherwise disturb stonework. Some walls are unstable. Disturbing them puts your safety—and the integrity of the site—at risk.
  • Drugs and alcohol are prohibited.
  • Please place all trash in containers or carry it with you.

-- Directions

Map of Fort Negley

-- Group Tours

groupExplore Nashville’s Civil War past with a field trip to the largest inland masonry fortification built during the war. We offer tours for all ages, and all school programs address Tennessee state curriculum standards for social studies and language arts. Tours can include film showings, on-site activities, and both guided or self-guided tours of Fort Negley.

Tour guidelines:

  • Guided tours are available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
  • Please make field trip reservations at least one month in advance. You may use the online form, or call us at (615)862-8470.
  • We may be unable to accommodate groups that arrive without a reservation.
  • Groups are limited to 60 students divided into two groups of 30.
  • Please divide your group in advance.
  • Arrive on time.
  • Please call if arriving late or cancelling
  • No backpacks, drinks, food, or gum allowed in the Visitors Center.

-- Book A Tour

text needed

LEARN

-- History Timeline

rebuildingFort Negley Historic Timeline

-- Teacher Resources

text needed

-- Scout Programs

lincolnstext needed

-- Ask A Question

Have a question about Ft. Negley? Take a look at this list of questions and answers to see if someone may have asked it before. If you don't see it, please send us an e-mail.

PROGRAMS

-- Upcoming Events

September 2008

campDiscover Civil War Nashville - Colorful historic characters invade Fort Negley! Hike to the top of the fort, bring a chair or blanket, and watch as actors bring to life the accounts of real people who lived during the Civil War era. Saturday performances in September at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Free. Ages 9 and up.

  • September 6: Meet Rachel Carter Craighead- Nashville citizen who lived under Union occupation
  • September 13: Meet Susie King Taylor- laundress and nurse for the 33rd United States Colored Troops
  • September 20: Meet Sgt. John Hill Ferguson- 10th Illinois Infantry garrisoned at Fort Negley

Negley For Kids - Friday mornings and afternoons in September. 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pre-K, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ages 5 to 12, Free but reservations required.

  • September 5: Civil War Drums- make your own drum and learn the roles of child drummers during the Civil War
  • September 12: Then & Now Negley- Search the fort and find locations for photographs taken almost 150 years ago
  • September 19: Shapes of the Fort- Identify the shapes that make up Negley, then make your own miniature fort

Music at the Fort - Get connected to musical history by joining the Grand Old Dulcimer Club or the Nashville Old Time String Band Association meetings. All are free and open to all ages and abilities.

  • September 4 6:30 p.m. To 8:30 p.m.: String Band
  • September 18 6:30 p.m. To 8:30 p.m.: String Band
  • September 21 2:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m.: Grand Old Dulcimer Club

October 2008

teacher resourcesFright Nights at the Fort - Encounter the “strange but true” side of Civil War Nashville as sinister historic characters step out from the dark crevices of the fort. Who knows what lies beyond the next corner? All ages, but parents are required! Fridays October 10 and October 24. Free. Tours begin at 6:00 p.m. Last tour begins at 8:00 p.m.

Hike, Bike, & Stroll History - Get active with history! This guided tour (Fort Negley’s version of a Triathlon) begins with a hike to the Fort. Then we will bike to the Nashville Old City Cemetery and stroll through this historic landmark. Saturday, October 18 at 9:30 a.m. Bikes are not provided. Free but reservations required. Ages 9 and up.

Music at the Fort

  • October 2 6:30 p.m. To 8:30 p.m.: String Band
  • October 16 6:30 p.m. To 8:30 p.m.: String Band
  • October 19 2:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m.: Grand Old Dulcimer Club
  • Coming in November – Garrison Day! Saturday, November 8 9:00 a.m. To dusk

-- Dulcimers

dulcimersNashville's Grand Old Dulcimer Club is a group of dulcimer players and musician friends who meet monthly to play, learn and share. We believe in the power of music and in the ability of the dulcimer to put music in the hands of everyone.

Come Join Us!! Players of all ages and abilities are welcome at Grand Old Dulcimer Club meetings. Special attention is given to beginners. Our regular club meeting is the third Sunday of each month, 2 - 5pm at the Fort Negley Visitors Center. We play songs as a group, share what we've been learning, and assist beginners. Whether you're new to the dulcimer, have been playing awhile or are thinking about getting a dulcimer, you're welcome to attend!

DULCIMER FESTIVAL - In partnership with Metro Parks, each May our club sponsors Grand Old Dulcimer Day at Nashville's historic Two Rivers Mansion.
For more information, check our website: www.grandolddulcimerclub.org.

-- String Band

string bandThe Nashville Old-Time String Band Association is dedicated to sharing and promoting Old-Time music.

NOTSBA is open to anyone who has a love for Old-Time music. Musicians of all ages and abilities are welcome.

We meet twice a month at the Fort Negley Visitors Center- the first and third Thursday nights for old-time jams, usually from 6:30-8:30 pm.

We have a performance group that plays for special events, festivals, and dances in the Middle Tennessee area throughout the year. These are generally not "jam band" presentations, but rather the result of rehearsals and sometimes special arrangements that accommodate singing.

In addition, NOTSBA hosts each year the Breakin' Up Winter old-time music retreat at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. For more information

ENLIST

-- Volunteer

cannonFort Negley welcomes volunteers to serve in a variety of roles. Positions include: greeting visitors and answering phones in the Visitors Center, undergrowth removal at the Fort site, assembling packets for school groups, and more. Please call Robert DeHart, Education Manager, at (615)862-8470 or email fortnegley@nashville.gov to receive more information and an application.

-- Interpreter

Volunteers can train to become interpreters for group tours at Fort Negley. We offer tours for school groups, Scout troops, church groups, clubs, and all others. Please call Robert DeHart, Education Manager, at (615)862-8470 or email fortnegley@nashville.gov to receive more information and an application.

-- Internships

Students interested in participating in an internship with the Fort Negley Visitors Center and Historic Site can receive more information by contacting Naomi Manning, Museum Coordinator, at (615) 862-8470 or by email at fortnegley@nashville.gov.

LINKS

CONTACT US

Fort Negley Visitors Center (615) 862-8470
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

flagThe gates of Fort Negley are open daily from Dawn to Dusk and is accessible when the Visitors Center is closed.

-- Sign Up For Cultural Arts

text needed

-- Email Newsletter

text needed