Vine Street Temple and Ward Seminary

Completed in 1876, the Vine Street Temple was one of the most impressive buildings in downtown Nashville—featuring nine Byzantine domes. When the domes were irrevocably damaged in a tornado, the congregation made the difficult decision to build a new temple further west. During its time here, a number of Jewish women played important roles in the larger community. This stop will introduce you to three of them.

First, Corinne Lieberman Cohn was a fierce advocate for public education—dedicating her life to improving Nashville’s schools. From the late 1800s to her death in 1928, she was a member of Nashville’s Board of Education. She was a member of the National Board of Sisterhood and president of Vine Street Temple’s branch. The Cohn School, later Pearl-Cohn High School, and today, the Cohn Learning Center—are named for Corinne Cohn to honor her work.

Pauline Tenzel came to Nashville via Romania in 1921. After she graduated from medical school in Arkansas, she established a practice in downtown Nashville. She was one of the first female obstetricians in the city. After nearly fifty years and thousands of baby deliveries, she retired in 1979. 

Finally, there is one congregant of Vine Street Temple whose name you might know. Well, not her given name—which was Fannye Rose Shore. She attended temple on Vine Street growing up. After graduating from Vanderbilt in 1938, she moved to New York where she was “discovered.” This led to a career as a radio and television host and entertainer. Fannye Rose changed her first name to Dinah. Dinah Shore passed away in 1994.

While we won’t walk the additional two blocks, there is one other thing to point out while we are here. If you look past the federal courthouse, you will see the Baptist Sunday School Board building on Rosa Parks Blvd., formerly Eighth Avenue.

From 1865 to 1913, Ward Seminary was located right next door. Ward Seminary was an all-girls school started by Eliza Ward and her husband William—opening their doors six months after the end of the Civil War. They offered college preparatory and collegiate work, and the school had a reputation for academic excellence. Every afternoon, the Wards led the students around downtown and up to the capitol for their daily walk. They walked in a line behind their principals earning them the nickname the Ward Ducks. Today’s Harpeth Hall School traces its lineage back to Ward Seminary. For more see our Downtown Schools and Education Tour.

Turn RIGHT onto Seventh Avenue North. Stop at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Church Street to learn about Nashville’s Public Library.