Nathaniel Harris and Woodcuts Gallery

Now I’d like to introduce you to a businessman and an engineer. You’re standing in front of Woodcuts, which was opened by Nathaniel Harris on September 23, 1987. Harris, an engineer with a passion for woodworking, had initially started a framing business out of his garage. The business soon outgrew his home workspace, and Harris looked for a permanent retail location. When he saw the deteriorating building at 1613 Jefferson Street, Harris was inspired by its potential.

He reached an agreement with Fisk University to rent the property and was given four months to renovate the building and open his store. With support from the Nashville Minority Business Development Center, Harris worked tirelessly, day and night. Harris met the deadline, and Woodcuts has been open ever since.

Nathaniel Harris wasn’t just focused on building his business; he was committed to revitalizing Jefferson Street and showing others the potential of the area’s older buildings. As the first president of the Jefferson United Merchants Partnership (JUMP), Harris played a pivotal role in the revitalization of North Nashville. His leadership demonstrated that Black-owned businesses could not only survive but thrive along this historic corridor.

Over the years, Woodcuts has been recognized by organizations like the NAACP and the Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce. It’s also been featured in major publications such as Décor and Upscale. Woodcuts remains a vital part of Nashville’s Black business community, earning the tagline, “Woodcuts: A Cut Above the Rest.”

Directions: From Woodcuts Gallery, turn LEFT on Jefferson Street. Drive west, away from downtown. Turn LEFT onto Dr. D.B. Todd Boulevard where you will also see Fisk University on the corner. Travel two blocks and turn RIGHT onto Meharry Boulevard. Look for the historical marker for Z. Alexander Looby on your right. This is your next stop, 2012 Meharry Boulevard.