Wondering what it takes to convert a vacant office building into a boutique hotel?  Curious about early 19th-century log home construction?  Interested in the nitty-gritty of some of Nashville’s newest preservation projects?
 

HNI’s “Behind-the-Scenes” Tour Series, a special program for HNI members, offers an exclusive opportunity to learn about local restoration and rehabilitation projects going on around Nashville.  We're proud to announce several fantastic Behind-the-Scenes Tours planned for Spring 2010.   
 

Designed by Nashville architectural firm Asmus & Clark (Christian A. Asmus and Richard R. Clark), the recently renovated Grand Lodge of Tennessee was originally built in 1923-1925 as a Scottish Rite Temple.  Due to the financial strain of the Great Depression and a decreasing membership, the Scottish Bodies sold the building to the Grand Lodge Masons in May 1937.  The name was changed to The Grand Lodge Building. 

Designed in the Neoclassical style with elements of the Greek Ionic order, the monumental four-story concrete building features Ionic pilasters and engaged columns across the visible facades and bronze light standards at the entrance.  The scope of this restoration project involved updating the building to meet modern-day needs for comfort, safety, and accessibility.  The renovation also addressed the lobby, gathering areas, and auditorium.  The restoration project received a 2009 Preservation Award from the Metropolitan Historical Commission. 

HNI will hold a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Lodge of Tennesse, which was recently renovated by Tuck-Hinton Architects of Nashville.  HNI members will enjoy a tour of the interior of this impressive downtown landmark, including the spectacular 1,400 seat auditorium.  Tuck-Hinton architect Curtis Lesh and Lodge Building Committee Chair Ken Moore will lead the tour.

 
 The Hermitage, Home of Andrew Jackson
Exterior Restoration
4580 Rachel's Lane
Saturday, March 20th at 10:00 a.m.

Join HNI as Howard Kittell, CEO and president of The Hermitage, leads us on a special members-only tour of the Hermitage Mansion Restoration, which is currently undergoing the first major exterior restoration since the 1960s. Learn more about the challenges of repairing and restoring President Andrew Jackson's famous home.

There is no charge for HNI members for this exclusive, exterior-only tour, but donations are suggested. Discounted rates are available for separate interior tours. Shop in the museum store and eat lunch in the cafe afterwards. Meet at the visitor center ticket office.  Space is very limited for this tour. 

WSM Transmitter and Tower
I-65 and Concord Road, Brentwood
Sunday, April 11th at 2:00 p.m.

Join HNI as we tour the historic 1932 WSM Transmitter Building and its diamond-shaped radio antenna. Built by the Blaw-Knox company, the antenna is 878 feet high and was the tallest radio tower in the US at the time of its construction. This station began operation in October of 1932 on the anniversary of WSM's founding in 1925 by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company of Nashville. The station originated the Grand Ole Opry in 1925 and has continued to broadcast this world-famous program every Saturday night. It might technically be located in Williamson County, but this tour will reveal a key place that helped shape the history of Nashville as Music City.  

 
  Two Rivers Mansion
3130 McGavock Pike

 Saturday, May 15th at 10:00 a.m. 

 

Join HNI on a "behind-the-scenes" tour of Two Rivers Mansion, the grand c.1859 Italianate-style plantation mansion built by the McGavock family. Owned by the city of Nashville since 1966, the historic landmark is now the centerpiece of a city park in Donelson. The tour will be led by Sandy Bivens, Metro Parks Superintendent of Nature Centers, and Robbie D. Jones, who organized a tour of Two Rivers for the National Preservation Conference in 2009.

 

Space is limited, so RSVP today.  See you Behind-the-Scenes!