Nashville Sites and Nashville Queer History, in a collaborative project funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Telling the Full History Preservation Fund, will host a Community Digitization Day on Saturday, October 15 at the Vanderbilt University Center for Digital Humanities. The event will take place from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and is free and open to all.
The goal of the digitization event is to connect with members of Nashville’s LGBTQ+ community as they share their stories and add materials to the digital archive (www.nashvillequeerhistory.org/archive). Items that can be added to the collection include photographs, scrapbooks, diaries, t-shirts, event fliers or tickets, and more. Visit www.nashvillequeerhistory.org/events/ to learn more about the digitization process.
“Much of the material culture related to Nashville’s LGBTQ+ history does not exist in any local archive or library institution, so we are trying to change that with the Community Digitization Day,” explained Sarah Calise, founder and director of Nashville Queer History. “We are also interested in recording oral histories with people who have memories being involved in the region’s gay community going back decades.” Participants can register to bring in their materials to be digitized using this link. Drop ins are also welcome.
The digitization day is presented in partnership with the Vanderbilt University Center for Digital Humanities, the Vanderbilt University Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries, and the Vanderbilt University Digital Commons.
Nashville Queer History is a community partner of the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation. Learn more at www.nashvillequeerhistory.org. Nashville Sites is a program of the Metropolitan Historical Commission Foundation. Learn more at www.nashvillesites.org.
The MHC Foundation awarded the Nashville Zoo a grant to help bring the Morton Family Exhibit project to life. The cabin and exhibit tells the story of Frank Morton, his son Albert and daughter Maude, and their contributions to the success and existence of Grassmere between 1919-1973.
To see pictures of the opening ceremony visit on Juneteenth 2021 go to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21969021@N04/sets/72157719583731732/. Read more about the new exhibit and restoration work here: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/our-blog/posts/morton-cabin-exhibit
The Morton Family Exhibit and Opening have been recognized with the following:
Tennessee Association of Museums
Award of Excellence, Permanent Exhibit
Award of Excellence, Special Event (Opening ceremony)
American Association for State, Local History
Leadership in History Award of Excellence, Special Project (Exhibit, Opening Ceremony)
Tennessee Historical Commission
Award of Merit
Southeastern Museums Conference
Honorable Mention, Exhibition Competition
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Top Honors for Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
The Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award recognizes institutions that have made significant strides in creating influential and transformative programs in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Nashville Zoo was awarded Top Honors for exemplifying inclusion, diversity and equity by examining a difficult part of local and regional history.
“Zoos and aquariums are in a unique position to create inclusive and impactful experiences while also advancing efforts in diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in our communities,” said Vice President and Deputy Director of the San Diego Zoo and Chair of the AZA Diversity Committee Dean Watanabe. “The Morton Family Cabin project is a powerful example of a zoo using its voice to elevate untold stories and shine a light on critical forgotten perspectives.”
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