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Talk of the Town - NewsChannel 5 June 19, 2026
Ms. Cheap takes us to Centennial Park for their free audio tour

By: Heather Mathis Ms. Cheap shows us a new self-guided audio tour that invites visitors to explore the layered history of Metro Parks’ Centennial Park, where art, activism, community intersected for generations. The tour is sponsored by the Centennial Park Conservancy and written by Dr. Learotha Williams Jr., professor at Tennessee State University and Nashville Sites director of public history. For more information on the tour, please visit https://nashvillesites.org/tours.

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NewsChannel 5 June 18, 2026
Legacy of Minnie Pearl Honored at Franklin Theatre

By: Forrest Sanders Thirty years after Minnie Pearl's death, fans gathered in Franklin to celebrate the Tennessee icon through a documentary, book signing and stories. Nashville Sites Executive Director Mary Ellen Pethel is the co-author of a recent biography of Sarah Cannon, better known as Minnie Pearl. She also served as a consultant for the film, "Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl." Sarah Cannon/Minnie Pearl is featured on several Nashville Sites tours, including Grand Ole Opry, Belmont-Hillsboro-Vanderbilt, Women's History Highlights, and Music Row Neighborhood.

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Nfocus April 30, 2026
Preserve Nashville Takes Center Stage

One thing is certain about Nashville’s philanthropic community — true impact begins when nonprofits band together. Preservation Society of Nashville and Historic Nashville Inc. are the latest organizations to join this succession, forming the new strategic alliance Preserve Nashville. CEO David Grieder says that advocacy and education go hand in hand. Preserve Nashville will build on HNI and PSN’s hard work, offering educational programs and best practices for architects, developers, city planners, public officials. It will also maintain PSN’s partnership with Nashville Sites, a digital tour platform to learn more about the city's history and culture.

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Nashville Banner April 20, 2026
April 19 Declared Z. Alexander Looby Day in Nashville

On Sunday afternoon, Davidson County historian Dr. Learotha Williams Jr. read aloud from a proclamation, signed by Mayor Freddie O’Connell, marking April 19 as Z. Alexander Looby Day in Nashville...

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WSMV March 27, 2026
Centennial Park audio tour highlights Nashville’s hidden history

Nashville Sites executive director Mary Ellen Pethel helped create the tour that weaves people through the park.

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Applaudible PLA March 14, 2026
Where Stories Live: Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel on Writing History

In honor of Women's History Month, Applaudable Perspectives sits down with award-winning author and historian Mary Ellen Pethel for a conversation that brings the past to life.

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News Channel 5 March 4, 2026
The Women's Suffrage Movement in Nashville

Davidson County Honorary Historian Carole Bucy Ph.D. and Belmont University Associate Director and Professor Mary Ellen Pethel Ph.D. take us back to Tennessee's Suffrage history...

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StyleBlueprint February 22, 2026
She’s Putting Nashville’s Hidden History on the Map

Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel, founder of Nashville Sites, is bringing the city’s layered history to life through free, story-driven walking and driving tours.

Black History Month destinations in Tennessee
Fox 17 February 1, 2026
Black History Month: Top destinations, events, tours across Tennessee

Nashville Sites featured among top destinations for Black History Month across Tennessee.

Nashville City Hall walking tour
WKRN Channel 2 January 20, 2026
New Walking Tour Audio Includes Voices of Mayor and Vice Mayor

The new City Hall tour features audio narration by Nashville's Mayor and Vice Mayor.

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TN State Newsroom January 13, 2026
TSU History Professor Learotha Williams, Jr. Appointed Davidson County Historian

Dr. Williams, Director of Public History for Nashville Sites, takes on a new role as Davidson County Historian.

Belmont University students
Belmont.edu December 19, 2025
Students, City Leaders and Public History Intersect at Belmont

Belmont students collaborate with city leaders on the Nashville Sites City Hall walking tour.

Mary Ellen Pethel
Nashville Voyager November 17, 2025
Meet Mary Ellen Pethel of Metro Nashville
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NFocus September 25, 2025
Set your sights on Nashville Sites

NFocus reporter Carrington Fox takes the Jefferson Street tour.