Originally, the park's land was part of several large plantations owned by some of Nashville's wealthiest citizens. Following the Civil War, it became a fairground well known for its racetrack. From May to October 1897, the park was home to the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition celebrating one hundred years since Tennessee's entry into the Union. After the Exposition, most of the buildings were removed. However, the large-scale replica of the Parthenon was retained as a nod to one of Nashville's nicknames, "Athens of the South." Other features that remained were the man-made Lake Watauga, sunken gardens, and bandshell. The temporary, plaster Parthenon was replaced in the 1920s with the current steel and concrete building. The statue of Athena was added in 1990, designed by artist Alan LeQuire (1955-). The Parthenon was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and Centennial Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
Centennial Park
36.146738, -86.810017
Description
Originally, the park's land was part of several large plantations owned by some of Nashville's wealthiest citizens. Following the Civil War, it became a fairground well known for its racetrack. From May to October 1897, the park was home to the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition celebrating one hundred years since Tennessee's entry into the Union. After the Exposition, most of the buildings were removed. However, the large-scale replica of the Parthenon was retained as a nod to one of Nashville's nicknames, "Athens of the South." Other features that remained were the man-made Lake Watauga, sunken gardens, and bandshell. The temporary, plaster Parthenon was replaced in the 1920s with the current steel and concrete building. The statue of Athena was added in 1990, designed by artist Alan LeQuire (1955-). The Parthenon was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and Centennial Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.