Up from the Cumberland: Nashville History and Culture

How and why did Nashville rise up from the Cumberland River along Broad Street, later known simply as Broadway? How did the city develop from the late 1800s through the early 1900s, and to what extent did geography play a role? Why was/is Nashville known as the Athens of the South, and why did so many colleges and schools open in Nashville after the Civil War? If Nashville was an Athens of the South, did the city have an Acropolis? The answers to these questions can be found in the following digital exhibit.

This exhibit makes use of historical markers, and related primary sources, located in or near Nashville's downtown core. Follow the path of Nashville's history and culture on foot, by car, or by personal device as you learn about the city's through the following four themes: Broadway, Early Maps and Geography, Athens of the South, and Nashville's Acropolis.

Be sure to check out available walking tours located on the home page (far right tab). Now it's time to start your adventure!