Saturday, September 20, 2008
"An important part of Nashville's history is crumbling ..."
An open letter to:
Karl Dean, Mayor; Diane Neighbors, Vice Mayor; Tim Garrett, Council-at-Large; Megan Barry, Council-at-Large; Charlie Tygard, Council-at-Large; Ronnie Steine, Council-at-Large; Jerry Maynard, Council-at-Large; Phil Claiborne, Councilman
Dear Mayor Dean et al.:
An important part of Nashville's history is crumbling and may soon be lost. I recently drove through Nashville's historic Mt. Olivet Cemetery, and I was disturbed to see the cracked and crumbling condition of the building that once housed the cemetery's chapel and office. The building in question, which was built some 130 years ago, has a crumbling facade; it has shrubbery growing from its bell tower; and it has several broken windows.
I attempted to contact Mt. Olivet's management with questions regarding the upkeep of the old chapel, but none of my phone calls were returned. It is now time for others with more influence than this simple blogger to ask why such an important building is being allowed to - there's no other way to put it - rot.
Here are some pictures taken during my recent visit to Mt. Olivet (click each for a larger view):
Now, I understand that Mt. Olivet Cemetery is privately owned. However, the history that's buried in that cemetery is shared by each and every citizen who calls Nashville home. I would dare say that if more Nashvillians were made aware of the condition of Mt. Olivet's old chapel, the folks who own the cemetery might be encouraged to - nay, be shamed into - repairing, restoring, and protecting an important historical corner of this city.
I urge you to contact Mt. Olivet Cemetery and ask why the old chapel has been allowed to fall into such a serious state of disrepair. If you are told that Mt. Olivet lacks the resources to repair the building, please ask why no effort has been made to approach the public for donations or why no efforts have been made to contact state and local officials for assistance.
If Mt. Olivet's old chapel is not repaired soon, I fear that it will become yet another Old Nashville structure than can be visited only in history books. Thus, I respectfully ask that you use the full authority of your office to pressure Mt. Olivet's owners to repair the old chapel before it is lost forever.
Cordially,
Joltin' Django
Nashville, Tennessee
Karl Dean, Mayor; Diane Neighbors, Vice Mayor; Tim Garrett, Council-at-Large; Megan Barry, Council-at-Large; Charlie Tygard, Council-at-Large; Ronnie Steine, Council-at-Large; Jerry Maynard, Council-at-Large; Phil Claiborne, Councilman
Dear Mayor Dean et al.:
An important part of Nashville's history is crumbling and may soon be lost. I recently drove through Nashville's historic Mt. Olivet Cemetery, and I was disturbed to see the cracked and crumbling condition of the building that once housed the cemetery's chapel and office. The building in question, which was built some 130 years ago, has a crumbling facade; it has shrubbery growing from its bell tower; and it has several broken windows.
I attempted to contact Mt. Olivet's management with questions regarding the upkeep of the old chapel, but none of my phone calls were returned. It is now time for others with more influence than this simple blogger to ask why such an important building is being allowed to - there's no other way to put it - rot.
Here are some pictures taken during my recent visit to Mt. Olivet (click each for a larger view):
Now, I understand that Mt. Olivet Cemetery is privately owned. However, the history that's buried in that cemetery is shared by each and every citizen who calls Nashville home. I would dare say that if more Nashvillians were made aware of the condition of Mt. Olivet's old chapel, the folks who own the cemetery might be encouraged to - nay, be shamed into - repairing, restoring, and protecting an important historical corner of this city.
I urge you to contact Mt. Olivet Cemetery and ask why the old chapel has been allowed to fall into such a serious state of disrepair. If you are told that Mt. Olivet lacks the resources to repair the building, please ask why no effort has been made to approach the public for donations or why no efforts have been made to contact state and local officials for assistance.
If Mt. Olivet's old chapel is not repaired soon, I fear that it will become yet another Old Nashville structure than can be visited only in history books. Thus, I respectfully ask that you use the full authority of your office to pressure Mt. Olivet's owners to repair the old chapel before it is lost forever.
Cordially,
Joltin' Django
Nashville, Tennessee
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, September 20, 2008 
