Riverfront Plan
"Report" GraffitiFort Negley
Listed
in the National Register of Historic Places, Fort Negley was the largest
and most important of the fortifications built by Union forces after
Nashville fell in 1862. It occupied the center of the Federal defensive
line, which stretched in a wide circle around the southern part of
the city. Built primarily by slaves and free black workers conscripted
into service, Fort Negley is the largest inland stone fortification
constructed during the Civil War and incorporates a complex polygonal
design. After the war, most of the fort's salvageable components,
including wood and iron, were sold. As a symbol of defeat and occupation,
the fort fell into serious disrepair.
In 1928, the site was purchased by the city for development as a military
history park. With labor provided by the federal Works Progress Administration,
restoration of the fort and other park improvements finally began
in 1940. Only four years later, all wooden installations in the fort
were removed, and the park was closed to the public.
In response to public interest and heritage tourism potential, Metro
Parks and the Metropolitan Historical Commission solicited development
of a master plan for neglected resource in 1995. The Fort Negley Master
Plan takes into consideration a 59.38-acre area that includes the
adjacent Adventure Science Center (Cumberland Science Museum) and
Greer Stadium. The intent at Fort Negley was to stabilize the fort
and create an interpretative walking path along the site. As part
of Mayor Bill Purcell’s Master Plan, $1 million was appropriated
for this work. An additional $1 million is anticipated in future years
for the construction of a visitor’s center.