Historical and Historic Zoning Commission Publications and Brochures

Our Newsletter

Metropolitan Historical Commission Newsletter: The newsletter of the Metropolitan Historical Commission is published monthly by the Historical Commission and contains information about local history and preservation.

Historic Preservation and Historic Zoning Brochures

Metropolitan Historical Commission brochure introduces the Historical and Historic Zoning Commissions, providing a quick overview of our mission and our work to preserve the past through the preservation and reuse of Nashville's historic buildings. Also available: black and white Historical Commission brochure.

If you have questions about how to best maintain your family graveyard or would like to know more about the symbolism and monument forms found there, Caring for Davidson County’s Cemeteries contains our best tips and tricks for cemetery care and appreciation in one handy guide. Need more in-depth guidance? Visit the Davidson County Cemetery Survey and Nashville City Cemetery pages of our website for links to handy videos from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training and other organizations.

Historic Districting and Property Values: When considering local historic zoning (districting) property owners want to know how the new district may affect their property values. Economic studies conducted across the country conclude that districting either has a neutral effect or increases property values. Review quotes from the conclusions of 14 studies. Each is provided with a link so that the full study may be reviewed.

Old House Series

This series of publications is designed to acquaint the owners of Nashville's historic houses with the basic considerations involved in rehabilitation of specific styles of Nashville's architecture. Brochures in this series include:

• Victorian Era Architecture (1850-1900)
• Turn-of-the-Century Neoclassical (1895-1915)
• The Revival Styles (1900-1945)
• The Bungalow and Related Styles (1910-1930)
• Post War Modern: Minimal Traditional, Split Levels, and Ranch Homes (1940-1960)

Also available in this series is a guide to researching your historic property:

Open the Door...Researching your historic Nashville home

Local Historic Structure Reports and Master Plans

• Aaittafama' Archaeological Park (formerly Kellytown)
• Fort Nashborough
• Fort Negley and Fort Negley Archaeology Management Summary
• Fort Negley Appendices (please allow time for images to open):
  • Fort Negley Appendix A1, Part 1 (Title-A104)
  • Fort Negley Appendix A1, Part 2 (A105-A109)
  • Fort Negley Appendix A1, Part 3 (A110-A115)
  • Fort Negley Appendix A1, Part 4 (A116-A121)
  • Fort Negley Appendix A2
  • Fort Negley Appendix B
  • Fort Negley Appendices C-E, G and H
  • Fort Negley Appendix F
• Nashville City Cemetery
• Parthenon and Historic Concrete Structures at Centennial Park and public presentation of Centennial Park and Parthenon assessment
• Two Rivers Mansion Master Plan and Two Rivers Mansion Archaeology Report

Our Office

Sunnyside in Sevier Park From a country estate to an urban park, the history of Sunnyside reflects the history and growth of Nashville.

Local History

We offer many brochures and walking/driving tours of local history and architecture.

• African American Historic Sites A brief introduction to the rich history and contributions of African-Americans, this brochure provides a driving tour of some of the most prominent sites related to Nashville's African-American history.
• Battle of Nashville: A Driving Tour of the 1864 Battlefield A joint publication of the Metropolitan Historical Commission and the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society, this full color map and brochure provides an introduction to the most significant sites of the Battle of Nashville, one of the most decisive of the Civil War. Also available: black & white Battle of Nashville Driving brochure
• Davidson County Courthouse The Davidson County Courthouse was constructed in 1936-1938 as a Public Works Administration project. This brochure explains the history, architectural style, and symbolism found at the Courthouse, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Also available: black and white Davidson County Courthouse brochure
• Footnotes: A Walking Tour of Downtown Nashville Our most popular brochure, Footnotes contains two self-guided walking tours of downtown Nashville. The tours point out some of Nashville's most architecturally and historically significant buildings. Whether you take one tour or both, this brochure will provide you with an excellent introduction to Tennessee's historic capital city. Also available: black and white Footnotes brochure
• Historic and Specimen Tree Program: Nominate a tree associated with a historical site, person or story.
• Look and See the Town Nashville's historic buildings and sites provide a visible link with our city's history and are the keys to discovering its character, culture, and charm. This publication contains brief descriptions of over sixty historic sites, buildings, districts, and museums in Nashville and Davidson County.
• Nashville: The Capital City A great companion to "Footnotes," Capital City offers a self-guided walking tour of historic sites surrounding Capitol Hill. Also available: black and white Capital City brochure
• Nashville City Cemetery Nashville's oldest public cemetery, the City Cemetery holds rich historical significance to the community and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This brochure describes the history of the City Cemetery and provides a walking tour of the graves of some of the more prominent Nashvillians who have been interred here. Need more information? Explore the website of the Nashville City Cemetery Association, www.thenashvillecitycemetery.org
• Nashville's Civil War Stories: Common People in an Uncommon War (and Davidson County Civil War Sites Map): This brochure tells Nashville's Civil War story through the eyes of twelve Nashvillians who represent the many perspectives of the war and its effects on the lives of those in our city. The brochure was made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area to the Metropolitan Historical Commission and several area partners.
• Nashville: The Occupied City This self-guided walking tour highlights Civil War sites in downtown Nashville. The route provides a variety of visual and historical experiences and gives a glimpse of one of the most important events in the city's history. Signs are posted at each of the stops to guide you. Also available: black & white Occupied City brochure
• Nashville: What's in a Name? This brochure explores the several names and nicknames that the city has become known by: Nashboro, Nashville, Capital City, Athens of the South, Music City.
• Tennessee Historical Commission’s map of downtown National Register sites A fun resource for identifying National Register properties in downtown Nashville, prepared for the National Preservation Conference, 2009.

Nashville Reading Lists

Suggested reading from the Nashville 101, Nashville 102, Nashville 103 and Know Nashville courses, prepared by Davidson County Historian, Dr. Carole Bucy.

Books

• Andrew Jackson Slept Here: A Guide to Historical Markers in Nashville and Davidson County (Out of Print) - Davidson County is home to some 275 historical markers, erected by both the Metropolitan Historical Commission and the Tennessee Historical Commission. This publication contains the text and location of every marker erected prior to 1993 and should be available at all Davidson County public libraries.
• Nashville: A Short History and Selected Buildings (Out of Print) - The Metropolitan Historical Commission's first book contains an excellent introduction to Nashville's early history and some four hundred historic buildings, sites, and neighborhoods in Davidson County. The book should be available at all Davidson County public libraries.
• Nashville Architecture: A Guide to the City by Carroll Van West - Sponsored by the Metropolitan Historical Commission and AIA Middle Tennessee, Nashville Architecture is the successor to the Historical Commission's 1974 book, Nashville: A Short History and Selected Buildings. From schools and churches to banks and post offices, from apartment and office buildings to plantations and cemeteries, author Carroll Van West surveys a wide variety of architectural sites that are found across Nashville and the greater Davidson County area. Purchases made at the Sunnyside office and online orders placed through the Metro Historical Commission Foundation help the Foundation's efforts to support the work of the Metropolitan Historical Commission.