The Nashville City Cemetery, located on 4th Avenue South and Oak Street (1001 Fourth Avenue South), was begun in the 1820s, and is the oldest continuously operated public cemetery in Nashville. It has a long and illustrious history as a final resting place for a cross section of early Nashville citizens, from the everyday to the famous, including Nashville founders, James and Charlotte Robertson.
The Nashville City Cemetery Association in cooperation with the Metropolitan Historical Commission is actively working to restore the cemetery and increase awareness through public participation.
Things To Know Before Going to the Nashville City Cemetery
- All tours must be booked through the Metropolitan Historical Commission, 615-862-7970. This is an active cemetery with funerals. Having knowledge of a tour ahead of time can help avoid conflicting events.
- The City Cemetery is open every day.
- The cemetery is a burial ground and not a recreation area. Extreme caution should be exercised around the gravestones, for your own safety and the protection of the gravestones.
- Gravestone rubbings are never allowed. No tour guide is allowed to give permission to do rubbings. The markers are very fragile. The pressure applied to the marker to make the rubbings can cause continued flaking. Even with the harder stone markers, crayons and pencil marks left on the stones are damaging.
- Removal of gravestones, stone fragments, fencing, or plant material is illegal by Federal law. The best type of souvenir is photographs and knowledge.
- No buses or large mini-vans are allowed. There is not enough space for making the turns. Have drivers make parking decisions before arriving at the cemetery.
- Please exercise precaution with your personal belongings. Report any suspicious behavior to Metro Police Department at 615-862-8600 or Metro Board of Parks and Recreation at 615-862-8400.
Related Information
- Nashville City Cemetery Preservation Plan - December 13, 2006
- Nashville City Cemetery Brochure
- Cemetery Map
- Application for Event/Use Reservation
- Cemetery Guidelines
- Cemetery Rules and Regulations
- Application for Work Permit
