Edgehill Neighborhood

Welcome to Edgehill, one of Nashville’s oldest neighborhoods! This area dates back to the early 1800s when Robert Brownlee Currey settled on what is today known as Rose Hill. He was the first postmaster and later served as the mayor of Nashville. You’ll learn more about Currey later in the end of the tour. 

During the Civil War in the 1860s, Edgehill was a strategic area, and three U.S. Army forts were built here: Fort Morton, Fort Casino, and Fort Negley. Ft. Negley was the closest to downtown Nashville and was built by Black refugees and formerly enslaved men—conscripted by the Union Army.  Once completed, Fort Negley was manned by Black Union soldiers in the US Colored Troops division—better known as the USCT. Today, Fort Negley is a Metro Park and while not a stop on this tour, we encourage you to visit and take our Nashville Sites walking tour of the fort. 

Following the Civil War, Edgehill emerged as a central hub for the African American community. Many Black churchesand businesses were established, and African Amerian families from across the city moved here. From 1865 to 1875, the neighborhood grew rapidly as newly freed men, women, and children arrived from all over the South. For more than 150 years, generations of Edgehill residents have faced challenge and adversity, but the bond of community has stood the test of time. 

Hello, I’m Dr. Sherleta Sanders. I am proud to say that I was born and raised in the Edgehill community. I attended the neighborhood schools—Rose Park being one of them. I had dreams of attending college but didn’t have a clue how it would be possible. My parents made it clear that college was a choice, but we had to find a way to gain this experience. Money for college was not in their lean budget. Edgehill community partners such as the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill, under the leadership of the late Reverend Bill Barnes, help make attending college possible for me. Through this organization I received a grant that helped fund my tuition at Belmont University. I graduated from Belmont in 2002 with a bachelor of science degree. 

After teaching for nine years and serving as an assistant principal for seven years, I returned to my roots—my forever home—the Edgehill community to assume the position as the executive principal of Carter-Lawrence Engineering Magnet School. I have been fortunate to serve in this capacity for five years now and look forward to many more. I could not be more honored to share the story of Edgehill—a place that has and continues to be so good to me. I hope you enjoy the tour.

Begin the tour on the corner of Villa Place and Edgehill Avenue next to the Edgehill Village sign. The address is 1200 Villa Place.