This Parthenon Matters
By Michael L. Ward
he Parthenon matters. Not just any old Parthenon – Nashville's Parthenon!
In 1896, Tennessee was celebrating 100 years of statehood and wanted to throw a big party in its capital city, my hometown of Nashville. Unfortunately, political in-fighting and the depression of 1893 postponed the big event until 1897. Modeled after the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition, Tennessee's Centennial Exposition was one of the largest and grandest of the many southern industrial fairs that were common in the era.
Led by a coalition of Nashville businessmen, the Expo featured exhibits highlighting industry, agriculture, commerce, transportation, education and cultural achievement. Much emphasis was placed on social progress in the New South. The women of Tennessee, as well as African Americans, played a prominent role in the event, helping to galvanize reformers of the Progressive Era.
Inspired by the City Beautiful Movement, a grand park with elaborate landscaping and lakes was laid out on a former racetrack three miles west of the city (which is now considered "midtown" and is located directly across the street from Vanderbilt University). Large pavilions in the neoclassical style were constructed out of wood and plaster. Temples commemorating the marvels of new technology and commerce were built along with a replica of a grand Egyptian pyramid – a gift from Memphis, TN. Representing Nashville (the "Athens of the South" because of its large number of colleges and universities), a full-size replica of Athens' Parthenon stood as the focal point of the park and expo. So beloved by the citizens of Nashville, it remained standing long after the other buildings were dismantled. Reconstructed of cast concrete in 1920, it became a permanent feature of Centennial Park, where it still stands today.
Today, this vast park with acres of open grass, majestic trees and Lake Watauga is home to many civic events, artisan festivals, outdoor theater and exercise trails. The Nashville LGBT Pride festival was held there for many years, until it moved to the riverfront in June 2009. The Parthenon was also home to the city's annual Pride Ball until the crowd could no longer be contained within the great temple. Bathed in colored disco lights, the 41-foot tall replica of Athena Parthenos presided over the Pride celebration in a gilded glory that was the envy of many a drag queen. Reveling in this "ancient" space really adds magic to an evening!
Among my fondest memories are the warm evenings – before cable TV and the Internet – when people would gather at the park into the evening to hang out and socialize. It was one of those special summer occasions when I met my partner 18 years ago this July.
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