When the annual awards for historic preservation in Nashville were given out recently, one recipient used the occasion to make a substantial gift to the city’s historical record.
Artist and former councilman Phil Ponder was recognized for his work documenting the city’s notable buildings and neighborhoods. Over the years, he’s made more than 700 precise drawings of distinct architecture, including multiple renderings that record the development of the city’s downtown skyline over the years.
In accepting his award, Ponder explained that he’s amassed a collection of detailed photographs that he uses as source material. He’s donating all of them to the Metro Archives for use by future researchers. The first installment: 122 photos of Union Station.
“There are pictures that were made when it was renovated and pictures afterwards. Actually the first one was from 1975 and the latest one was a few years ago. After the restoration they took the six stained glass windows in the front and they put them back in the wrong place and I can prove it right here,” Ponder said, laughing.
Ponder had photos in hand as he made his comments, ready to give them to the Archives.
The awards also recognized restoration projects of multiple homes across Davidson County, the conversion of the old Werthan Warehouse in Germantown, and Gary Burke’s years as an advocate for Fort Negley.
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