Tennessee Supreme Court

The Tennessee Supreme Court was established in 1834 by the state’s second constitution. A century later, in the 1930s, the Tennessee Supreme Court was in dire needed of a larger, more modern space. Then-Chief Justice Grafton Green first proposed the construction of a free standing building. The building project included support from a federal agency known as the Public Works Administration—part of President FDR’s “New Deal” program.

Renowned Nashville architecture firm Marr & Hollman was commissioned to design the building. Construction ran from 1936 to 1937 and was completed by Rock City Construction Company. The building consisted of four floors, an attic, and a full basement—costing a grand total of $650,000. Tennessee’s Supreme Court building is a fine example of the Stripped Classicism style that was at the height of its popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. This style was defined by classical architecture that was stripped of most ornamental details and moldings. While the architecture of the court building represents a Stripped Classicism, the detailing is considered Art Deco.

The court building contains simple Doric capitals along with square limestone piers. The limestone has been polished to a shiny pinkish-brown color and is popularly called Tennessee Marble. Carved into the limestone frieze above the third floor are the words “Tennessee Supreme Court.” Three evenly spaced doors made of polished bronze and glass lead to the interior of the building. The interior features an extensive amount of marble as well as decorative elements in bronze, walnut, and plaster. The first two floors have ten-light painted steel sash casement windows.

In 2014, the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the building houses Tennessee’s Supreme Court as well as their Court of Appeals and Criminal Appeals. The Tennessee Judiciary Museum is also located here. It opened in 2012 as part of the building’s seventy-fifth anniversary celebration. The museum is open to the public Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. For more information on the Tennessee Supreme Court, take our Civic and Public Spaces and Women’s History Highlights Tours.

With your back to the Tennessee Supreme Court building, cross over Seventh Avenue and stay on the same side of the street. The State Capitol will be immediately in front of you on your left. Walk along the sidewalk for a half block. Your next stop will be just past the Edward Carmack Statue and Motlow Tunnel by the stairs that ascend to the capitol. While we won’t take the stairs on this tour, feel free to explore the State Capitol grounds on your own. If you’d like a more expansive view, go ahead and cross Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd. at the pedestrian crosswalk to look at the capitol from across the street.