Events and News
HISTORICAL COMMISSION HONORS NASHVILLE’S OUTSTANDING PRESERVATION PROJECTS
The Metropolitan Historical Commission celebrated its 33rd Preservation Awards program on May 29.
Dr. Reavis L. Mitchell, Jr., historian and former board member of the Metropolitan Historical Commission, was the recipient of the Achievement Award, given to individuals who have contributed greatly to the community's knowledge and appreciation of local history and historic resources.
The Metropolitan Historical Commission also honored the Metro Greenways Commission and Greenways for Nashville with its Commissioners' Award, given to organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to preserving Nashville’s history.
Judges for the 2008 Preservation Awards were James A. Hoobler, Curator at the Tennessee State Museum and Metropolitan Historical Commission Board member; Sheila Dial, Associate architect with Everton Oglesby Associates; and Elizabeth Moore of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University.
Fifteen properties received awards and five received honorable mentions.
In the residential category, the Ambrose House at 122 South 12th Street in East End and the Dedmon Residence at 1304 McKennie Avenue in Eastwood received awards for their outstanding restorations of houses almost lost to neglect and fire, respectively. The Murphy Residence, known as The Merritt House, at 441 Humphreys Street is an example of the careful restoration of a forgotten historic residence hidden in an industrial area. Church Street Lofts, the mixed-use development located at 301-305 Church Street, returned prominence to a once-neglected corner building. Through meticulous research the unique half-round porch of the Guider Residence at 606 Fatherland Street was carefully reconstructed. Restorations at the Tucker Residence at 821 Boscobel Street and the O’Neill and Soltauer Residence at 1406 5th Avenue North helped to return “updated” homes back to their former selves. Phase III of The Lofts at Werthan Mills on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard tackled historic buildings from two different centuries in the conversion of an industrial complex to residential units. The Rayson Residence in Belmont-Hillsboro at 2227 Belmont Boulevard received an award for its sensitive addition. The West Family Farm House at 4496 Cleeces Ferry Road demonstrates the successful preservation of a rural homestead. The Dimmitt Residence at 807 Fatherland Street and the Pilote Residence at 1002 Riverside Road in Old History received honorable mentions for their restorations.
In the infill category, Summer Street Lofts at 1210 5th Avenue North received an award. This project in Germantown is an example of successful design within a historic context.
In the commercial category, judges awarded the Union Station Hotel for its spectacular renovation. Smith Cashion & Orr, PLC at 231 Third Avenue North received an award for its fine restoration project. The modern, mid-century building at 411 Broadway, a Tower Investments property, also received an award. Homewood Suites by Hilton, located in the Doctors’ Building at 706 Church Street, received an honorable mention for their work on their hotel, a former office building.
In the educational/institutional category, the judges gave a Preservation Award to Nashville Fire Department’s Fire Station No. 16, located along 21st Avenue South, for continuing the long-term use of a historic fire hall with a historically sensitive renovation and expansion project. West End Middle School and the Bill and Carole Troutt Theater at Belmont University received honorable mentions in this category.
The 2008 program marks the thirty-third year of the Preservation Awards event, held annually to coincide with the national celebration of Historic Preservation Month.