Nativity Scene at Centennial Park
Many Nashvillians fondly remember the Harvey’s Nativity Scene that stood in front of the Parthenon in Centennial Park every Christmas from 1954-1967. The scene was approximately 280 feet long, 75 feet deep and was flooded with colorful lights.
As they prepared the nativity scene in the fall of 1968 it was in such serious disrepair it could not be exhibited. Figures were “rotting from the inside out” and representatives of Harvey’s said that many sculptures could no longer stand on their own.
The financial responsibility became too much for Harvey’s and the city of Nashville and it was sold to a Cincinnati shopping center. According to the Nashville Banner, the nativity scene was shown only 2 Christmas seasons in Cincinnati before it collapsed and was discarded.