Metro Nashville Archives

03/04/2025

Happy March! This month, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women in history. Kicking things off with 🛩, I’m excited to highlight some amazing women in aviation, especially during World War II in Tennessee.

Before the war, Tennessee made significant strides in aviation, including the Tennessee Aviation Act of 1937 and the opening of the Vultee Plant in Nashville, which played a key role in aircraft production. But it’s the women of Tennessee who truly made an impact. In 1943, aviation pioneer Phoebe Omlie helped train the first women flight instructors, despite initial doubts from the Civil Aeronautics Administration.

Women also served as pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers during the war, often overcoming gender barriers. Although women of color were excluded from the WASP program, pioneers like Willa Brown stepped in, leading the Coffey School of Aeronautics and training thousands of pilots. Her work helped open the door for Black aviators in the Army Air Forces, including those at Tuskegee.

Here’s to the trailblazing women in aviation! ✈️

📸: Women working at the Vultee Plant on government planes, date: 1941; Nashville Banner Collection.
📰: Tennessean clipping from May 12th, 1940.

02/25/2025

We can see Opryland already, very small of course! 🏙️ (Props to anyone who can name the movie we recreated this quote from! 🎬👀)

Here's a view of downtown Nashville and beyond, from what looks like the Customs House Tower 🏢. A couple of the views are facing east and looking down Broadway, and the other faces south (the current Sobro area) 🌇. See any buildings that don’t exist anymore? Or ones that still do? 🔍👀

📸: View of Broad between 7th and 8th streets, from the Customs House Tower, date: February 25th, 1976; Metro Photographer Collection.

02/22/2025

Is there a better day than 🎥 to showcase some of our home movies from the AVHC? We don’t think so!

Today, we’re featuring an edited version of a home movie from filmmaker James Kilgore 🎬, edited from his full-length film, James Kilgore Home Movie, 1987-1989. You can watch the full video on our Vimeo page 🎞️, where you’ll find highlights from the 1987 McKendree Bicentennial as well as various Bridge Club events and outings 🃏: https://vimeo.com/1024056402

And here's a little teaser 🔍: we’re working on something exciting related to home movies 📽️ that we’ll be sharing soon. Stay tuned for more! 🚨

🎥: AVHC; James Kilgore Home Movie, 1987-1989.

02/20/2025

📣 Metro Archives Service Updates!

We have a couple of important updates to share with our patrons, starting with our Saturday hours:

◼️ 🍽️ LUNCH CLOSURE ON WEEKENDS
Due to a small staff on weekends, we’re introducing a consistent lunch hour closure every Saturday. We’ll be closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. If you're researching all day, please plan to work in another part of the library during this hour.

◼️ 💍 CERTIFIED MARRIAGES
We’re happy to announce that Metro Archives can once again provide certified marriage certificates for Davidson County marriages. The fee is $5, and we accept cash, check, money order, or credit card. Just a reminder: our records cover 1789-2017 (Davidson County only).

Thanks!

📸: Home Economics class at North High School, date: unknown; John Connelly Collection.

02/19/2025

Due to inclement weather, the Nashville Public Library will be closed today.

Stay safe and warm, and enjoy the snow day! ❄️⛄️🌨️

📸: The old Metro Archives building on Elm Hill Pike that was formerly Mt. Zeno School. Now it’s the storage building for Metro Archives. Date: Circa 1988-1989; Banner Negatives Collection.

02/18/2025

🕰️

Throwback to West End near 29th in 1953 vs. today! 📸 These photos from the City Photographer Collection capture the area where the Old Woman's Home once stood, now replaced by a shopping complex with businesses like Honey-Baked Ham, Ted's Montana Grill, Maggie Moo's, and more. 🏙️

The photos are labeled "Mrs. Rose Herrick vs. City (sidewalk)", but despite my best sleuthing, I couldn't find any details about this case. 🤔 My guess? Maybe the city was being sued over sidewalk issues? 🏛️

Either way, who remembers the days when the "Hot!" sign for Krispy Kreme lit up the street? 🍩

📷: 2817 West End Ave - Mrs Rose Herrick vs. City (sidewalk), date Feb. 18th, 1953; City Photographer Collection.
📷: Google Maps, date: January, 2023.

02/16/2025

In honor of President's Day, the Nashville Public Library will be closed on Monday, February 17th.

Nashville has hosted many Presidential visits throughout its history and was also home to a few, including the 7th U.S. President, Andrew Jackson, and the 11th, James K. Polk. One of the presidents that we have the most photos of from his various visits, both before taking office and after, is President John F. Kennedy. The last visit he made was in May, 1963, for the 90th anniversary of Vanderbilt University and to signal the beginning of the construction of Cordell Hull Dam. 📸🌟

As we reflect on our rich history, let's take a moment to appreciate the lasting impact these leaders have had on our city, and celebrate the spirit of progress and community that defines Nashville. 🎉💙

📸: Senator John F Kennedy with Mayor Ben West, U.S. Rep. J. Carlton Loser, and unknown individual, date: February, 1959; City Photographer Collection.
📸: President Kennedy speaks at Vanderbilt Stadium, date: May, 1963; Metro Photographer Collection.

02/15/2025

More promotion of our Raymond Whittaker Papers!

The letters were found close to a decade ago in the couple's former home in Nashville's Edgehill neighborhood

02/14/2025

02/14/2025

In dusty stacks where history’s kept,
Old pages whisper secrets we’ve all forgot.
From fragile notes to postcards worn,
Each piece of the past, my heart adorns. 📜💌

As we celebrate love in all its forms this Valentine’s Day 💘, we're sharing a few documents that highlight love from our records, including a letter from the Raymond Whittaker Papers 💌📝.

J***r! 🎉✨

📸: Valentine from the Bray Papers.
📸: Photo from the McClanahan-Weakley Collection.
📜: Letter from Ray to Jane dated February 17th, 1943; Raymond Whittaker Papers.

02/13/2025

To your "ride or die" pal 🚗💨, to who gets to hear all of your "tea" 🍵💬, and who will be by your side every step of the way 👯‍♀️💖 - Happy Galentine's Day! 💌🌸

📸: Ladies Wartime Crew, Engine Co. #7; Fire Department Collection.
📸: Ladies of McClanahan-Weakley Family, enjoying their tea; McClanahan-Weakley Collection.
📸: Unknown group of women, possibly walking on Vanderbilt's campus; City Photographer Collection.

02/12/2025

A glimpse into the past 🕰️—can you guess which school is in the foreground? 🧐 Here's a clue: Founded in 1912 🎓, its first head was Dr. William Jasper Hale 👨‍🏫.

📸: Walter Williams Aerial Photograph Collection

02/10/2025

💖 New Blog Alert! 💖

The next chapter of Ray and Jane's love story is here! 🥰 If you missed the first post introducing this sweet couple, catch up here: Read the first post: https://library.nashville.org/blog/2018/02/write-wire-or-call-me-real-soon 📖✨

The second post picks up where we left off, with more details about their early days of marriage 💍❤️. Don’t miss it! Read the latest post: https://library.nashville.org/blog/2025/02/love-and-kisses-sweetest-wife-earth 💌

02/06/2025

Where Brick Church Pike and Trinity Lane meet, before the interstate's endless fleet! 🚗🛣️

For , we're sharing these photos from the County Judge Property Acquisition collection. The neighborhood report accompanying the photos begins with a bit of history:

"This section of Davidson County is rich in history. One of the first property owners, Thomas Talbot, planted 1,000 apple trees and owned a distillery for apple brandy, marketing the product through Talbot's Tavern in Nashville..."

The report also covers the rezoning of the area, which was previously zoned unrestricted but is now zoned commercial "A" (as of the time of the photo). It’s believed the area was appraised for the future highway/interstate expansion and provides the following details:

"...Naturally, the sudden change in zoning has disturbed and confused the property owners, especially regarding property values. The residential properties are typically of inferior frame construction and are largely occupied by auto mechanics, bus and truck drivers, and others. Neighborhood activities include hunting with beagle hounds..."

There's more to the report, but most importantly... how cool are these photos?!📸✨

📸: County Judge Property Acquisition Photos; date: February, 1960.

02/05/2025

Rotogravures: Because sometimes, you just need to ink outside the box! 😂 Okay, okay, I’ll see myself out. But before I do, let me quickly explain what a rotogravure is and give you the lowdown on these vintage images. 🖨

Rotogravure is a printing process where an image is etched into a metal cylinder, and then ink is transferred from the cylinder to paper. It was like the superhero of early newspaper printing—efficient, fast, and able to handle tons of images with precision!

The prints featured here are from this day in 1928 and show off the Harpeth Hills Hunt Club and Central High School.

These rotogravure scans come from our collection of the Tennessean and Nashville Banner, dating from about 1926-1933. They were painstakingly scanned, indexed, and given the VIP treatment with thorough metadata by a former staff member. So, enjoy these gems from the past, and remember—rotogravure may be old, but it's still inkcredible! 😉

📰: Nashville Tennessean Rotogravure, date: February 5th, 1928.

02/01/2025

In celebration of Black History Month, we are honored to highlight the cherished collection of love letters between Raymond and Jane Whittaker ❤️, a former Nashville couple whose heartfelt correspondence during World War II offers a poignant glimpse into their enduring love and the era’s history. Their story was first shared in our blog post titled “Write, Wire or Call Me Real Soon,” published in February 2018. 

We are excited to announce that a continuation of their story is currently in the works, with a part two of the blog series planned for release soon. Additionally, the library will be promoting their story, and NewsChannel 5 will be airing a feature on the Whittakers later this month, providing further insight into their remarkable journey.

Stay tuned as we share more content from our Archives throughout this month!

Get to know their journey in our first blog post: https://library.nashville.org/blog/2018/02/write-wire-or-call-me-real-soon

01/30/2025

Not all the photos we find in our nearly-endless collection are of downtown streets or people. Some come with small details and, well, somewhat inexplicable content. Take these from the City Photographer Collection labeled 'Alleys City Beautiful.' Our guess? They were taken for cleanliness reasons by the City Beautiful Commission... but also 🤷‍♀️.

Maybe you have a better theory—or can help us figure out where these alleys are?

📸: City Photographer Collection, date: January 12th, 1962.

01/27/2025

Just off the scanner 🖨 and giving off major retro library vibes 📖, these negatives from the Nashville Public Library Collection show a former branch — complete with card catalog! Can you guess which one it is? Here's a clue: the new building of this branch will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year (August 5th to be exact)!

Drop your guesses in the comments below! 📚✨

📸: Nashville Public Library Collection