Nashville's TN Parthenon

Why was this exact replica of the Greek Parthenon here in Nashville?

The city of Nashville decided to construct a full scale replica of the Parthenon in Greece to celebrate the Tennessee Centennial Celebration in 1897. The actual 100th anniversary of statehood was in 1896, but organizers blamed the lack of funds and the presidential election for the delay in construction until 1897. The Parthenon is made of plaster, brick, and wood and took a total of ten years to complete. The first stone was laid in 1895 and hence the city became known as the "Athens of the South."

The Centenial Tennessee Exposition was held May 1 - October 30, 1897. Like a world's fair, all the exhibit buildings are temporary and made of inexpensive materials. It was a huge success and over the six month duration, approximately 1.8 million people attend the Centennial.

By 1898, most of the building were removed or destroyed. Only the Parthenon remained after the Tennessee Centennial Celebration because of its popularity. In 1920, the city of Nashville decided to make the Parthenon a permenant structure. A local artist, Russell Hart, was hired for the reconstruction. the Parthenon was rebuilt as a full-scale replica of the ancient Parthenon with one large exception. The colossal statue of Athena from ancient times, however, was not in this replica. In 1982, the city commissioned Alan LeQuire to build a full-scale replica of Athena Parthenos. The Athena Fund was founded to raise money. Starting with funds accumulated over the years from the nickels and dimes of school children and tourists, the Athena Fund grew rapidly through private and commercial donations.

Location: West End Avenue and 25th Avenue, In Centennial Park, Nashville, Tennessee.
Call 615-862-8431 for more information or email tours@parthenon.org.

Radnor Lake

Middle Tennessee has an abundance of lakes and rivers. One of the best known is Radnor Lake. It's located in Davidson County south of Metropolitan Nashville in the Oak Hill Community. Radnor lake is approximately and 85-acre nature sanctuary with an abundance of wildlife and plants. It also has some of the highest hills in the Nashville area.

The lake was used impounded in 1914 by the Nashville Railroad Company and the Louisville to supply water for their steam engines and livestock at the nearby Radnor Yards. The site was also used at a private hunging and fishing preserve for the L & N officials and their guests. After the construction of the lake, birds began feeding and resting on the last as they continued their annual migration. The L & N executive vice-president discontinued the hunting and fishing and declared the area a wildlife sanctuary as requested by the Tennessee Ornithological Society.

The trails are reserved strictly for hiking. No pets or joggers are allowed. It is a place that provides scenic, biological, geological, and passive recreational opportunities not found in other metropolitan areas of Nashville's size. Radnor's geology is fascinating and complex. The rocks, which form its hills and valleys, were deposited on the floor of a shallow, tropical, inland sea 500,000,000 years ago.

Radnor’s geography, and climate create diverse habitats for an abundant variety of species. The lush, rolling hills and tranquil waters are known to support at least 130 species of trees and shrubs, 400 varieties of wildflowers and plants like ferns and mosses, 40 species of amphibians and reptiles, 250 types of birds, 18 types of fish, innumerable insects and spiders, and at least 23 sorts of mammals including: humans, deer, coyotes, bobcats, beavers, mink, rabbits, muskrats, otters, skunks, raccoons, and rabbits.

Yearly events include: canoe floats, wildflower walks, astronomy night hikes, nature hikes, programs on snakes, cave ecology, and birds of prey, plus a whole lot more. A great place to check out.

Friends of Radnor Lake

What is wainscoting?

Wainscoting has been around for several hundred years. It is basically a paneling that is used on the lower part of the wall on the inside of a house. It can be made of many materials including, wood, marble, heavy fabric, and tile. By definition, is it a treatment that is used between the chair rail and the baseboard. This wall treatment can be found in many historic homes. It added to the durability of the plaster walls and protected them from children and pets hitting or scratching the walls, especially in the halls, dining and other high traffic areas. It hid uneven walls and can be found in most homes that were built before the 1840's.

In the past, the most popular material for wainscoting was wood. It was inexpensive and there was plenty material available. Often the wainscoting was made from the wood sides of wagons. It was used in many elegant homes because of the rich wood and warmth it added to a room.

The height of wainscoting can vary anywhere from 38 inches to over 72 inches. The typical wood style was a tongue and groove and the top was usually finished with a decorative wood edge. In the mid nineteen hundreds the taller style of wainscoting became more popular. A room could be completed in wood for under $150.

Many builders are coming back to wainscoting, especially with the many wood and synthetic materials available. It's often used in the foyer, dining room and even used in bathrooms. It can be found in most home improvement stores. It adds a distinctive elegance to a room while adding durability and adds to a home's value.