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Preservation Conference and
Main Street Summit HAS
MOVED to Maury County
June 5-7, 2008
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
We are excited to announce that the Statewide Preservation Conference and Main Street
Summit will be held June 5-7, 2008, in Maury County. The annual conference, combined with the Tennessee Main Street Summit, will take place at
several historic venues in Columbia and Spring Hill. Conference programs will be mailed in late April and information will be available on the TPT
website. We look forward to seeing you in Columbia and Spring Hill!
NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINE:
Tennessee's National Trust Advisor Reports on Storm
Damage
This report is excerpted from an account prepared by Dr. Van West, director of the statewide Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area and the
Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University, for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Colleagues:
2/14/2008
The tornados that devastated our state last week have not only marked hundreds of families but they also eliminated from our historic landscapes
places of identity, history, and culture that can never be replaced.
Appropriately in the past week, much official and media attention has
focused on the near loss of Wynnewood, a state historic site and National Historic Landmark, in Sumner County.
But as the weeks of recovery
and rebuilding continue, we need to be mindful of the other historic landmarks, small and large, that give meaning to our sense of place as
Tennesseans. Thus, we have worked with many of you over the last few days to identify our losses of historical and cultural resources, and have begun
to make our plans to restore or recover the history that each of these significant places represent. I have compiled the following list. In no way is
it yet complete, but it does show the damage to our collective heritage that the storms left in their wake. Wynnewood State Historic
Site, Sumner County. Public officials and local citizens have demonstrated a strong commitment to restore this National Historic Landmark
and open the property once again. The news is promising: our government officials, local, state, and federal are working together on funding and
plans. The Tennessee Historical Commission is the lead state agency and close to the ground is the Bledsoe Lick Historical Association, the community
group that has nurtured and protected Wynnewood since it became a historic site in the 1970s. The Nashville Tennesseean had an excellent story on the
house and initial restoration plans earlier this week.
Castalian Springs Historic District, Sumner County. I remain concerned about the entire Springs area, of which Wynnewood is a vital part. This is an extremely
early Tennessee settlement area, with several houses and various structures dating to the first half of the nineteenth century (white activity as
early as the 1760s) along with multiple significant Native American properties. Cragfont is a National Register property, a magnificent limestone
tobacco plantation dwelling that is among early Tennessee’s architectural jewels. Bledsoe’s Fort is a significant locally administered
historic park, which protects the frontier station site and a
historic cemetery as well as two architecturally significant frontier dwellings: the Parker Residence and Rogana. History did not end at Castalian
Springs with the end of the frontier. One-story, central passage dwellings abound along the older road system, reminders of the middle class farmers
who worked and lived here. The springs area has a significant Civil War history, including the home of general and future governor William Bate. The
story of emancipation and Reconstruction history is well illustrated by the surviving African American Missionary Baptist Church and the Cairo
Rosenwald School. Recently, state officials have discussed launching a new State Heritage Area program. There are few areas in Tennessee as rich
culturally, historically, and with as much chronological depth as the Castalian Springs area. As the recovery and rebuilding move forward, I
recommend that we carefully assess all of these resources and consider the entire area as a potential rural historic district.
Fernvale Community Church, Williamson County. The church is completely destroyed. The congregation started in 1849 at the
time when a nearby Iron furnace was in operation. The building dated to the mid-1860s, and had several additions and renovations over the year. A
real heritage loss.
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Macon County. The church is completely destroyed. This is another
antebellum congregation, with the building dating to 1874. It too had been expanded and modernized over the decades, but the original hipped roof
building was still evident and cherished by the community. Another major heritage loss.
New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Macon
County. The church is completely destroyed. The congregation organized in 1910 and the one-story, gable-front church dated to the mid-20th
century. A major heritage loss.
Grace Baptist Church, Macon County. This white frame, gable-front church dated to the
mid-twentieth century and had experienced several expansions in recent decades. While not smashed totally to the ground, the damage is very extensive
as documented on the Lafayette, TN website.
Sharon Baptist Church, Savannah, Hardin County. A late twentieth century church
and school outside of Savannah was totally destroyed.
Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church, 333 Old Humboldt Road in Jackson, Madison
County. Another mid-20th century congregation in a building that dated c. 1970. It suffered extensive damage and is probably not restorable.
Harbor-Pitts Company Store, Cerro Gordo, Hardin County. An early to mid-20th century brick country store that already was
partially deteriorated due to abandonment completely collapsed during the storm. Cerro Gordo was once an important stop on the Tennessee River.
Thomas Roark Farm, Macon County. This farm with extensive outbuildings (a dozen or so) was smashed by the storm. It had been
farmed by the family for approximately 200 years.
Tucker Century Farms, Macon County. The Galen community was rocked by the
storm and it is the home of two Century Farms, owned by the Tucker families. The families survived the storms but have lost several outbuildings and
log buildings.
Union University, Jackson, Madison County. Union University in Jackson was significantly damaged, several
dorms and classrooms destroyed. The college is old (it began at East Main Street in Murfreesboro), but it moved to Jackson after the Civil War. Much
later, the university to a new campus in North Jackson, nearer the interstate, in the last 20 years. Thus, this is a historic higher education
institution in Tennessee but its campus is of recent years.
The courthouse in Jackson (which the Center nominated to the National Register in
the mid-1990s) and other historic districts in Jackson that were so devastated in 2002 seem to be generally untouched this time. The damage was north
of downtown where new construction replaced cotton and soybean fields in the last 10-15 years.
Ramon Hardy Grocery Store,
Huntersville, Madison County. A classic turn-of-the-century frame, gable-front entrance country store was leveled to the ground. The rural
community of Huntersville suffered significant damage.
Van West
Director, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation
Director,
Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Advocacy Around the State,
Executive Director’s First Six Months
My first few months at TPT have been challenging and fulfilling. I am honored to be your executive director and I have enjoyed diving into my new
role and having the opportunity to engage in preservation projects across the state.
In Union City we have been working with the Boys and Girls Club of Western Tennessee to facilitate the rehabilitation of Central
Grammar School. Union City had initially considered demolishing the c. 1937 brick and limestone structure and constructing a new facility on the
property. We were successful in petitioning the City Council to spare the school and we have worked closely with the Boys and Girls Club to pursue
rehabilitation of the school as a tax credit project.
In Maury County we are working with local preservationists to preserve the Spring Hill battlefield. See listing of battlefield
below on 2007 Ten in Tennessee sites.
In Clarksville we are working with local preservationists and homeowners to possibly repeal a municipal ordinance that has
declared over 1,200 acres (approximately two square miles) of their downtown as blighted and allows utilization of eminent domain to allow private
redevelopment of the area. The "blighted" redevelopment district includes two national historic districts and the historic downtown. We are
communicating with the State Historical Commission and the National Trust Legal Defense Fund to investigate options to address this massive and
far-reaching plan.
We have provided technical preservation advice to the public, including site visits to Cookeville, Elkton, Clarksville, Nashville,
Paris, and Springfield. I have had the opportunity to visit some of our local partners and/or discuss ongoing projects in a
number of communities including, Knoxville, Crossville, Union City, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Pikeville. I
was honored as the guest speaker for the yearly membership meeting of the Heritage Partnership of Rutherford County held in
Murfreesboro and had the opportunity to address the Chamber of Commerce in Manchester, in Coffee County.
We have been very busy relocating our 2008 Statewide Preservation Conference and Main Street Summit from Cookeville to Maury County. Due to a
scheduling conflict, we were forced to find a new venue. We wish to thank everyone who helped with Cookeville planning and everyone who has helped
facilitate our move to Maury County. We hope to see you there, June 5-7.
I also want to thank the members of TPT and the dozens of committed preservationists that have reached out to me offering their assistance and
support. Your enthusiasm and generosity is very personally appreciated. I especially want to thank all the members who contributed to our annual
giving and membership renewal campaign in December. We have increased our membership by over 20% since last July and our support continues to grow.
I am fortunate, blessed really, to have this opportunity to serve as the executive director of TPT. I humbly offer my commitment to join you in
making TPT the best that it can be.
With thanks,
Dan Brown
Executive Director
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TEN IN TENNESSEE ENDANGERED LIST:
Nominations Due May 1
The Tennessee Preservation Trust annually seeks nominations from the public for the "Ten in Tennessee," a roster of some of the state's most
endangered historic sites. Begun in 2001, this successful program highlights ten endangered places across the state to help garner support for saving
threatened historic resources. Of the sites listed since the program began, only three have been lost. A committee made up of grass-roots and
professional preservationists from across the state meets to choose the list each spring. The 2007 edition was announced on July 13 at the Tennessee
State Capitol. All sites listed since 2001 are provided on our website (www.tennesseepreservationtrust.org) with updates on current status, when
known. Please note that the listings are made in no particular order of ranking. Nominations are currently being considered for the 2008 Ten in
Tennessee list of most endangered sites. To nominate an endangered historic site, go to the website to complete the on-line nomination form. Postmark deadline
to submit nominations is May 1, 2008.
Promising News on Several 2007 Ten in Tennessee Sites
Spring Hill Battlefield, Maury County. This several hundred acre tract adjacent to historic Rippavilla
Plantation in Maury County is one of the largest remaining tracts associated with the November 29, 1864 Battle of Spring Hill, the critical precursor
to the Battle of Franklin. The land was acquired in the 1980s by General Motors Corporation for its Saturn automotive plant in Spring Hill. It was not
developed and remained in agricultural production, forming a scenic buffer for Rippavilla. In 2007, after GM announced it was ceasing the production
of Saturn automobiles at its Spring Hill plant and retooling the facility for the production of other GM automobiles, the company announced its
intention to sell the land for development.
2008 UPDATE: Some improvement. A proposed development deal for the property fell through in December 2007.
TPT has been working with county officials to present a proposal to save the property for inclusion in the Spring Hill battlefield. The Tennessee
Historical Commission and the Civil War Preservation Trust have applied for a $2 million transportation enhancement grant to help with the
preservation efforts.
Franklin Cinema, Williamson County. Franklin’s downtown theater opened on July 15, 1937 in the midst
of the Great Depression. It was the first building with air conditioning in the county. The theatre brought Hollywood entertainment to the then rural
county and movies were shown in the theater until earlier this year, when the building owner raised the rent and the theater ceased operations.
Townspeople in Franklin think of the theater as a community treasure and are concerned the theater may be refabricated into an office complex or
chain retail store that does not contribute to the historic character of the historic downtown.
The threat to the Franklin Cinema typifies the threat to the relatively few downtown theaters surviving across the state. Like
theaters in other small towns, the Franklin Cinema was a "rainmaker," drawing crowds, especially in the evenings, and contributing to a healthy mix of
downtown establishments. Preserving such theaters can help draw more visitors downtown, increasing city revenues and providing a wonderful alternative
movie-watching experience to big-box cinemas. Local preservationists hope the Franklin Cinema can be purchased by a foundation or local government
which can seek grant funds to convert it to a combined theater and cultural center.
2008 UPDATE: Good news. The theater was
purchased by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, which is now raising funds to rehabilitate the structure as a cultural arts
center.
Mount Zion CME Church, Obion County. This circa 1896 African-American church is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places; and has had minimal changes to its interior or exterior since its construction. The church bell, which is mounted
outside and directly in front of the church, was donated by a local prominent African-American businessman, Mr. Walter Robinson The threat to the
structure is demolition by neglect. Funds are needed to replace the roof, which has deteriorated, especially in the southeast corner of the building,
where some small leaks have developed. Ultimately the church needs a congregation to occupy the building and keep the property in good repair. Local
preservationists indicate a congregation is interested in using the church, and we hope attention brought by listing in the "Ten in Tennessee" will
help raise community awareness and support.
2008 UPDATE: Good news. A new congregation has acquired the church and is
stabilizing the structure.
Taylor Home at Sabine Hill, Carter County. This property has great
historical significance due to its association with the Taylor family, who were early Tennessee settlers in 1772, and also for its wood construction,
Federal-style architecture. This home was built prior to 1820 by the widow of General Nathaniel G. Taylor. Both were great-grandparents to Robert L.
Taylor and Alfred Taylor, best known for running against each other for governor in the "War of Roses." (Both served as governor during different
terms.)
The property is threatened by demolition. The present owners acquired this property in 2002
and intended to restore it. It became necessary to sell it, and an option to buy has been granted to a developer who intends to raze the historic
structure and develop housing. Local citizens have a back-up contract to purchase this property if the developer declines his option. The
Elizabethton City Council is working to develop a municipal ordinance, which would protect and preserve their historic structures. If these local
citizens are able to purchase this site, they propose to make it a part of the Historic District, and place restrictions on the property that would
preserve this historic house. The State of Tennessee has expressed an interest in obtaining this property to make it into a site such as Rocky Mount
and Tipton-Haynes. If this effort fails, the Heritage Alliance will look for a buyer interested in using it for an historic residence. Listing of the
property will hopefully support local preservationists, and/or the State, in their efforts to acquire this important historic home and provide for its
long-term preservation.
2008 UPDATE: Good news. The property has been acquired by the Tennessee
Historical Commission and will be restored as part of the state’s historic site system, under administration by the Sycamore Shoals State
Historical Park.
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STAFF UPDATES
Paul Hoffman
has been involved with TPT since the 2007 conference and, since the
early summer, was our part-time office manager. He is a year into the
master's program in public history at Middle Tennessee State University
(MTSU). Paul is a native of Nashville and an alumnus of Hume-Fogg High
School and Vanderbilt University. After graduating from Vanderbilt, he
served
six years as an officer in the Navy. On returning to Nashville, Paul
worked briefly for the Nashville Symphony and then joined the local
historic
preservation scene with the restoration company Republic, based in
Watertown. He has also worked over the past three years restoring a
historic home
in Old Hickory Village. Paul left TPT in January to work as a graduate
research assistant at the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU.
Paul will
continue to be involved with TPT and he will be volunteering with the
conference in Maury County in June 2008.
We are pleased to announce that Doug Jones, a partner with Schulman, LeRoy &
Bennett,
PC, will be serving as TPT's legislative monitor.
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PARTNERING WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST:
Workshops, Board Training, National Conference, and Lowe's Rosenwald Grant
In late July, executive director Dan Brown, vice chair Reggie Mudd,
and chair Stephen Brown headed to Grand Isle Lake House in Grand Isle,
Vermont, to take part in a strength and sustainability workshop for statewide organizations.
The workshop was sponsored by the
National Trust for Historic Preservation, with which we join forces as
a statewide partner. It was an extraordinary opportunity to meet
partners in
similar sized organizations and to work on strategic vision, goals,
work plans, financial and leadership issues, and organizational
development.
This weeklong training was a prelude to our board development in
January 2008. TPT was fortunate to have Nancy Tinker, program officer
with the
National Trust's southern office, back in her home state to lead the TPT board training retreat sponsored by the National
Trust.
Our board participated in this board development training seminar at
Montgomery Bell State Park. Prior to the retreat, we held our
annual membership meeting, inducted new board members, and conducted
our winter board meeting. This was a unique opportunity to energize our
organization and take our work to a new level. Part of the discussion
centered around TPT's involvement in and commitment to the 2009
National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Nashville.
Every TPT member will want to attend and should mark their calendars
for
October 13-17, 2009. The National Trust Conference is a "once in a
lifetime opportunity" to show off our state to our fellow
preservationists and we
are anxious to begin planning for this extraordinary event.
We are pleased to announce that through a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Lowe's Charitable and
Educational Foundation, TPT wiil receive $46,900 for the restoration of the Cairo Rosenwald School.
TPT board member
Anne-Leslie Owens of the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation authored
the grant application for the Cairo Improvement Club, the owner of the
school. TPT's executive director Dan Brown, vice chair Reggie Mudd, and
chair Stephen Brown provided a structural assessment and
recommendations. Funded in part by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, the
Cairo Rosenwald School served as a school for African-American children
from
1923 until 1959. Now used as a community center, the Cairo Rosenwald
School continues to be an important gathering place and a source of
pride for
the community.
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