NASHVILLE, TN, June 12, 2014 – Historic Nashville, Inc. (HNI) is accepting nominations for a historic property for the 2014 Nashville Nine, Historic Nashville’s annual list of the most endangered historic properties, including landmarks, bridges, signs and whole blocks or neighborhoods in Nashville and Davidson County. The Nashville Nine list has been one of the organization’s most effective tools for saving the places that are unique to Nashville. HNI is giving the citizens of Davidson County and surrounding areas an opportunity to nominate the most endangered places in Nashville.
2014 will be the sixth year that HNI has solicited input from the public for the Nashville Nine program. The list includes nine historic properties nominated by the public that are threatened by demolition, neglect or development. Over the years, Historic Nashville has successfully advocated for the preservation of landmarks that are “unmistakably Nashville” such as the Ryman Auditorium, Union Station and the Hermitage Hotel. The work HNI does is vital to preserving the history and vitality of Nashville and is an essential part of the community.
“Community involvement is essential for preservation success,” said Melissa Wyllie, president of Historic Nashville. “You can start by joining Historic Nashville. We are Nashville’s only non-profit organization dedicated to preservation, with a focus on advocacy and education. Take a look around your neighborhood and the places you pass on the way to work. Is there a place you love or a building you are afraid is in danger of being destroyed? Nominate the property and help preserve our city – and its historic past – one building at a time.”
HNI has experienced both success and loss since the inception of the Nashville Nine. Despite the challenges associated with historic preservation, the organization is determined to save the properties that are embedded in the cultural and historic past of the city. One such success story is the Geist Blacksmith Shop that has been purchased by the prominent redevelopment group 311 Forge LLC. The group has plans to redevelop the two historic buildings on the property, including the blacksmith shop and the two-story brick house. The Geist property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and has been on HNI’s Nashville Nine list more times than any other property.
For more information and to nominate a historic property, visit the HNI website. The deadline for nominations is August 15, 2014.
The 2014 Nashville Nine will be announced in September.
About Historic Nashville, Inc.
Established in 1968 and renamed in 1975, Historic Nashville, Inc. (HNI) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 membership organization with the mission to promote and preserve the historic places that make Nashville unique. Over the years, HNI has successfully advocated for the preservation of such historic places the Ryman Auditorium, Union Station, Hermitage Hotel, 2nd Avenue & Lower Broadway and Shelby Street Bridge, as well as neighborhood historic districts throughout the city.
In 1982, HNI established the state’s first Preservation Easement program and currently owns easements on 16 historic landmarks with a market value of over $30 million. HNI hosts an annual membership meeting, publishes an Annual Report, maintains a website, hosts educational programs such as Behind-the-Scenes tours, an annual fundraiser called the Brick & Mortar Bash and the annual Nashville Nine list of the city’s most endangered historic places. For more information, visit www.historicnashvilleinc.org or connect with us on Facebook or follow us on twitter: @historic_nash.
