Civic and Public Spaces

My name is Jessica Fitzpatrick. I am a preservationist with the Metropolitan Historical Commission and I’m also the Director of Tours for Nashville Sites. Welcome to the Civic and Public Spaces tour! From a state capitol that was built before the Civil War and New Deal programs that brought life back to Nashville during the Great Depression, to newer spaces completed in the last half century—Nashville’s civic landscape continues to inspire. Serving as both the county seat for Davidson County and the state capital for Tennessee, Nashville has been the center of government life in Middle Tennessee for more than two centuries.

The Cumberland Compact was signed here on May 1, 1780, which established governance for the growing settlement. In 1806, Nashville became the county seat and, in 1827, the state capital, which became permanent in 1843. Because of its central location and river access, Nashville grew as a regional center of commerce and industry, which brought federal offices here such as the U.S. Customs House and Federal Reserve Bank. This tour will explore civic and public spaces that connect Nashville to all levels of government: local, state, and federal.

Along the way you will also learn how the presence of civic and public institutions have shaped Nashville’s history and culture. Join us to explore some of the city’s best known architectural beauties as well as a few hidden gems! If you choose to start from Music City Central (400 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.), walk down Fourth Ave. North, turn LEFT at Union Street then turn RIGHT onto Third Ave North. Federal Reserve Bank will be on your left.