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History

‘Once in a generation’ ice storm has Nashvillians remembering 1994 disaster

By Rose Gilbert

January 28, 2026

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With many still struggling to stay warm during this deadly winter storm, many Nashvillians are drawing comparisons to the historic 1994 storm that left many without power for weeks on end. 

Filed Under: History, WPLN News Tagged With: Cold weather, Freddie O'Connell, history, ice storm, Nashville Electric Service, snow

Time – and money – is running out to save Civil War sites in Tennessee

By Pierce Gentry, WUOT

January 27, 2026

A replica Civil War-era cannon sits overlooking the site of Redoubt One in southern Nashville on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. The site is managed by the Battle of Nashville Trust, which struggles to acquire land for preservation in the wealthy suburbs of the city.

As real estate developers continue to buy up swaths of land in Nashville and the surrounding area, portions of Tennessee’s 122 Civil War battlefields are being lost in the process.

Filed Under: History, WPLN News Tagged With: Battle of Franklin, Battle of Nashville, Civil War history, state budget, Tennessee Wars Commission

The Hermitage commissioned research into its cemetery for people enslaved there. Questions remain in final report.

By Cynthia Abrams

January 6, 2026

Researchers uncovered a cemetery for enslaved people at The Hermitage and additional study sheds light on the burials.

Filed Under: History, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: Andrew Jackson, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, The Hermitage

NashVillager Podcast: Two tight elections

By Nina Cardona

December 4, 2025

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How was the Matt Van Epps win this week like another Tennessean’s victory in the 1800s? Plus the local news for Dec. 4, 2025, and a Curious Nashville story.

Filed Under: History, NashVillager Podcast, WPLN News Tagged With: James K. Polk

20,000 people watched a Black man hang in Kentucky 90 years ago. A new book looks at why

By Derek Operle

October 20, 2025

In 1936, in front of an estimated 20,000 spectators, Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro at the last public execution in the United States. A new book by an Owensboro native examines Bethea's case and lynch culture in America.

A new book from a Kentucky native details the last public hanging in the United States, which took place in Owensboro 1936, and examines it through the lens of lynch culture in America.

Filed Under: History, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, lynching

NashVillager Podcast: Speaking out by showing up

By Nina Cardona

October 15, 2025

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Which Nashvillians will show up for continued protests? Another round of No Kings demonstrations are scheduled for this weekend. Plus the local news for October 15, 2025 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day.

Filed Under: History, NashVillager Podcast, WPLN News Tagged With: memphis, No Kings, protest, protests

NashVillager Podcast: Abolition and Tennessee

By Nina Cardona

October 14, 2025

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Why are MTSU students upset about this year’s Constitution Day speaker? Plus the local news for September 17, 2024.

Filed Under: History, NashVillager Podcast, WPLN News Tagged With: abolition, Bobby Lovett, history, James G. Birney, Liberia, Montgomery Bell, slavery

NashVillager Podcast: Mines, warheads and tragedy

By Nina Cardona

October 13, 2025

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What do we know about the site of Friday morning’s explosion? Plus, the local news for Oct. 13, 2025.

Filed Under: History, NashVillager Podcast, WPLN News

NashVillager Podcast: Too many suicides

By Nina Cardona

October 10, 2025

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How can we reduce the number of Tennesseans who take their own lives? Plus, the local news for Oct. 10, 2025.

Filed Under: History, NashVillager Podcast, WPLN News

NashVillager Podcast: Firefighters Memorial Day

By Nina Cardona

October 9, 2025

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How do we remember? Plus, the local news for Oct. 9, 2025.

Filed Under: History, NashVillager Podcast, WPLN News

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