Centennial Monuments and Performing Arts Center

Hi, I’m Jerome Moore, Nashville Sites cultural ambassador, NashvillePBS host and cultural affairs producer, and most importantly, I’m a Nashville native. This stop is part of the Nashville Sites walking tour. To explore more stories, take the full tour on NashvilleSites.org.

As you walk along the west side of the Great Lawn toward West End Avenue, let’s talk about some of the park’s statues. 

Centennial Park is home to more than 20 monuments and memorials. Together, they reflect how Nashville has chosen to remember its past—from the grandeur of the 1897 exposition to evolving views on war, politics, and social change. Some honor progress and reform; others invite reflection on what—and whom—society chooses to commemorate.

In the shadow of the Parthenon, is the Thomas Monument, sculpted by Enid Yandell in 1907. It honors John W. Thomas, president of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway and a key organizer of the 1897 exposition. The statue is surrounded by benches inscribed with words like Wisdom, Integrity, and Patriotism. The layout—with fluted columns and lampposts anchoring each corner—echoes the classical style that defined the original exposition grounds.

Southwest of the Parthenon, you’ll find the Woman’s Monument, one of the park’s oldest memorials. Dedicated in 1904, it originally marked the site of the Woman’s Building, which showcased exhibits on art, education, and domestic science curated by Tennessee women.

You’ll also see a Civil War monument on your left, just across from the Centennial Performing Arts Studios (CPAS). Dedicated in 1909, the statue depicts a seated Confederate soldier with a rifle across his knees. It was commissioned by the United Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy as part of a broader effort to shape public memory of the war. These monuments often promoted the Lost Cause ideology, which downplayed the role of slavery and reframed the Confederacy’s actions as justified. You can read more on the interpretive panel beside the statue.

Now turn around to see Centennial’s Performing Arts Studios, home to Metro Parks’ Dance, Music, and Theater Divisions. This facility offers a wide range of classes and programs for all ages. For example, musicians can join pickin’ parties, drum classes, or the student Centennial JamBands. Theater programming includes the afterschool Centennial Theater Academy for 8-17 year olds, performance opportunities and rental space. Dance students can explore everything from creative movement, ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop. The renowned Centennial Youth Ballet performs annual productions of the “Mini-Nutcracker” and Spring Dance recital.

Support for these programs comes from Creative Parks Nashville and Friends of Metro Parks Dance. Check out their website to learn more. Now let’s head toward the front entrance of the park located on West End Avenue.

Listen to the next stop as you walk. Continue on the sidewalk by the Great Lawn, go down the stairs, and locate the paved walking trail. Musicians Corner will be at the bottom of the hill next to West End Avenue.