For fifty years, the Metropolitan Historical Commission has recognized outstanding efforts to preserve Nashville’s historic architecture with its annual Preservation Awards program. For a list and map of previous award winners, from 1973 to the present, please visit the Preservation Awards dataset on Metro Nashville's Open Data Portal.
50th Annual Preservation Awards
The Metropolitan Historical Commission celebrated National Preservation Month by presenting Preservation Awards to ten properties and recognizing five properties with honorable mentions at the 50th Annual Preservation Awards program on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The event took place in the auditorium of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, Free and Accepted Masons; Mayor Freddie O’Connell assisted with the awards presentation. After the awards ceremony, the Nashville Historical Foundation and Preserve Nashville hosted a reception celebrating this milestone event and welcoming new Executive Director, Caroline Eller. May 2026 also marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Metropolitan Historical Commission.
Metro Nashville Network recorded the program, which is available for viewing on Metro Nashville’s YouTube channel. Images of all recognized properties are featured on the 2026 Preservation Awards Photos page.
Properties were nominated this year in the categories of Residential, Educational/Institutional, Religious, Infill, and Commercial architecture. Mina Johnson, former member of the Metropolitan Council and former commissioner with the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission and Metro Planning Commission; Sydney Schoof, Senior Architectural Historian, Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc.; and Jonny Wagenman, Treasurer, Preserve Nashville, Managing Partner at Mission Development, and affiliate broker with Mission Real Estate, served as judges for the 2026 Preservation Awards.
In the Residential category, the judges presented Preservation Awards to 1102 Caruthers Avenue in Waverly-Belmont, 1110 Russell Street in Lockeland Springs-East End, and 2306 Golf Club Lane, for sensitive renovations, compatible additions, and overall maintenance of the historic character of their properties. The judges awarded the May-Granbery House, located at 1070 Granbery Park Drive, with a Preservation Award for meticulous rehabilitation of the early 1800s, Federal-style, brick residence. The property was designated a local historic landmark zoning overlay district in 2017 when the property was subdivided for a 30-home development. The judges recognized 4500 Shy’s Hill Road, “the Quintessential Nashville Mid-Century Modern Ranch House,” with an Honorable Mention.
The judges recognized two Metro Parks properties in the Educational/Institutional category. The judges presented a Preservation Award to Two Rivers Mansion for the comprehensive rehabilitation that addressed severe deterioration due to water intrusion. The project also reclaimed a fifth bedroom in the house from use as a former caretaker’s apartment. Also, in the Educational/Institutional category, the judges presented an Honorable Mention to the Parthenon in Centennial Park for its Tunnel Concrete Accessibility Project. This unusual, but necessary, project vastly improved storage space and emergency egress in the tunnel space along the colonnade of supports along the north elevation.
Both nominations in the Religious properties category received Preservation Awards. The judges recognized Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, for a new addition that is contemporary yet respectful of the historic church. The connection to the new addition showcases the exterior of the historic building, while the addition interprets details of the cathedral in both abstract and familiar forms. The judges awarded Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, 908 Monroe Street, for its resilience in reconstructing its bell tower, roof, stained glass windows, and historic interior. This architectural and cultural landmark in Historic Buena Vista was severely damaged by the March 3, 2020, tornado.
In the Infill category, the judges recognized 1004 Halcyon Avenue with a Preservation Award. Built as part of larger infill project, the new home’s design was inspired by the surrounding historic neighborhood of Waverly-Belmont. The judges presented an Honorable Mention to 1706 Beechwood Avenue in Belmont-Hillsboro for its modern interpretation of a bungalow.
In the Commercial category, the judges recognized the Berger Building at 164 Rosa L. Parks Blvd with a Preservation Award, commending the adaptive reuse of this commercial building near the new Federal Courthouse. The basement was excavated nearly two feet to provide appropriate ceiling heights for the lower level. The judges also awarded 1600 Woodland Street for the rehabilitation of this familiar commercial building in Lockeland Springs. The new addition created an open seating area that encourages interaction between the businesses, patrons, and the neighborhood. The judges recognized Darkhorse Theater at 4610 Charlotte Avenue with an Honorable Mention for preservation of the former West Nashville Presbyterian Church through its adaptive reuse as a performing arts venue. This cultural treasure is a landmark in the Sylvan Park community. The judges also recognized Ernest Tubb Record Shop, 417 Broadway, with an Honorable Mention for a rehabilitation project that included restoration of the iconic sign and reconstruction of facade details.
Along with celebrating exceptional preservation projects, the Metropolitan Historical Commission presented three honor awards during the ceremony. The Commission recognized Zada Law with the Achievement Award for her continued support and advocacy of Tennessee archaeology, especially in Nashville, and decades of dedicated research, education, and preservation of cultural heritage. Her work at Fort Negley and Nashville City Cemetery has been critical to the preservation and interpretation of those two sites.
The Commission presented the Fletch Coke Award to Phil Claiborne for his pioneering efforts to preserve Two Rivers Mansion and excellence in advocating on behalf of Nashville’s historical resources, including through his artwork, which documents many of the architectural and cultural treasures of Donelson-Hermitage. As a two-term member of the Metropolitan Council, Mr. Claiborne was a consistent and principled advocate for historic preservation, supporting the protection of cultural resources and investment in historic sites across Davidson County.
The Commission recognized the Jefferson Street Historical Society with its Commissioners’ Award for excellence in community-led stewardship to preserve and promote the vibrant history and culture of Jefferson Street. By combining cultural preservation with economic and community development, the Jefferson Street Historical Society has become an important voice for stewardship, visibility, and neighborhood identity in Nashville.
Since 1973, over 500 awards have gone to a broad range of historic structures – dwellings, churches, commercial and industrial buildings, schools, even to bridges and new developments. Nominated by the public, they are honored for their sensitivity to the original architecture and the surrounding environment, creativity in adaptation for contemporary use, architectural merit and/or historic interest, long-term maintenance, adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and pioneering spirit. The public awards ceremony coincides with National Preservation Month, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and celebrated every year in May. The theme for Preservation Month 2026 is "All People are Created Equal" to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
For more information, please call 615-862-7970 or email [email protected].
Invitation to the 2026 Preservation Awards
Read the 50th Annual Preservation Awards digital program.
History Of the Preservation Awards Program
The Metropolitan Historical Commission’s Preservation Awards program began in 1973 as an Architectural Awards program. Miss Margaret Lindsley Warden, a charter member and former chair of the Metropolitan Historical Commission, had the idea to create an incentive for people to preserve historic buildings. She had observed how successful prizes were in horse shows and had heard of similar awards programs for preservation of buildings in other cities.
In 1973, the purpose was stated as:
- To stimulate interest in the owners of pertinent buildings to preserve and restore them with authenticity, and
- To spread information, i.e., to educate the community, on the merits (architectural and historical) and contemporary uses of distinguished buildings of the past.
The awards were originally aimed at residences, but the categories have increased as the need arose. In 1973 the categories included dwellings, offices, and historic districts. In 1997 those properties were expanded to six categories: residences (both single and multi-family structures), commercial buildings, religious properties, educational and institutional buildings, engineering and industrial structures, and infill construction.
Since 1973, over 400 awards have gone to a broad range of historic structures – dwellings, churches, commercial and industrial buildings, schools, even to bridges and new developments. Nominated by the public, they are honored for their sensitivity to the original architecture and the surrounding environment, creativity in adaptation for contemporary use, architectural merit and/or historic interest, long-term maintenance, adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and pioneering spirit. The public awards ceremony coincides with National Preservation Month, which is celebrated every year in May.
Today, in addition to recognizing various preservation projects, the Commission recognizes individuals and groups with a select number of honor awards, including the Achievement and Commissioners’ Awards.
The Achievement Award is given to an individual in recognition of his/her extraordinary leadership in preserving Nashville’s history -- either through research and writing history or through advocacy and raising public awareness of history and preservation. The Commissioners' Award recognizes a group, program, or project that enhances Nashville’s history and historic resources. It is designed to honor projects that do not fit within the traditional preservation award categories. Achievement and Commissioners’ Awards are selected by the Historical Commission. In 2016, the Commission introduced the Fletch Coke Award, named in honor of Fletch Coke and her extraordinary efforts to preserve the history and historic landmarks of Nashville and Davidson County. Recipients are selected for their tenacity, curious spirit, and excellence in historical research, writing, and promotion of Nashville's local history and historic places.
In the early years, the Commission held a separate event to recognize various individuals, groups, and projects that were involved in the preservation of the built environment and the promotion of our local history. Eventually, the two awards programs were combined. In recent years, the name of the new program changed to “Preservation Awards” to acknowledge the diversity of individuals, groups, and types of projects receiving awards.
Participation In the Preservation Awards Program
Nominations for the 51st Annual Preservation Awards program are due on Monday, March 1, 2027. Please email [email protected] for details.
For more information about the Preservation Awards program, please call the Metropolitan Historical Commission at 615-862-7970 or email [email protected].
