Midtown in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Tennessee Centennial Exposition

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 18, 2021

1. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition Marker

Inscription.

The Tennessee Centennial Exposition. . On May 1, 1897, President William McKinley pulled a lever in Washington, D.C., setting the machinery in motion that officially opened the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. There followed perhaps the busiest and most glorious summer in Nashville's history , an endless parade of pageants and performances, thrill rides and exhibits, celebrity parties and civic boosterism., Inspired by the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Nashville's Commercial Club championed the idea of a similar extravaganza to fuel the city's economy while celebrating one hundred years of Tennessee statehood., West Side Park, a state-owned racetrack and former state fair venue, was selected as the Exposition site. The land had previously been part of John Cockrill's 640-acre farm and a terminus of the Natchez Trace. Built economically from wood and plaster, a “White City” quickly rose on the grounds, with classically inspired buildings that were as ornate as they were temporary., The Exposition opened one year after the state's 1896 centennial and daily drew about ten thousand visitors to a city whose entire population numbered only 95,000. Exhibit halls, city and state buildings, art galleries, rides and games, theaters, gardens, and an exhausting schedule of activities attracted visitors from throughout the country. After a six-month run and 1.8 million attendees, the Exposition closed on October 30, 1897. Shaped by Nashvillians, the Exposition and its legacy , Centennial Park , have, in turn, shaped Nashville.,

“In physical proportions [the Exposition] has challenged the admiration of the intelligent world. From all parts of the country the most distinguished citizens, from the President down, have visited us, and but one word and that of approval , of enthusiastic approval , has been given. Its features, they will live with us, my fellow citizens, for many years to come.”

, Tully Brown, Nashville District Attorney and one of the Exposition's champions, at the closing ceremonies.

On May 1, 1897, President William McKinley pulled a lever in Washington, D.C., setting the machinery in motion that officially opened the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. There followed perhaps the busiest and most glorious summer in Nashville's history — an endless parade of pageants and performances, thrill rides and exhibits, celebrity parties and civic boosterism.

Inspired by the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Nashville's Commercial Club championed the idea of a similar extravaganza to fuel the city's economy while celebrating one hundred years of Tennessee statehood.

West Side Park, a state-owned racetrack and former state fair venue, was selected as the Exposition site. The land had previously been part of John Cockrill's 640-acre farm and a terminus of the Natchez Trace. Built economically from wood and plaster, a “White City” quickly rose on the grounds, with classically inspired buildings that were as ornate as they were temporary.

The Exposition opened one year after the state's 1896 centennial and daily drew about ten thousand visitors to a city whose entire population numbered only 95,000. Exhibit halls, city and state buildings, art galleries, rides and games, theaters, gardens, and an exhausting schedule of activities attracted visitors from throughout the country. After a six-month

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run and 1.8 million attendees, the Exposition closed on October 30, 1897. Shaped by Nashvillians, the Exposition and its legacy — Centennial Park — have, in turn, shaped Nashville.

“In physical proportions [the Exposition] has challenged the admiration of the intelligent world. From all parts of the country the most distinguished citizens, from the President down, have visited us, and but one word and that of approval — of enthusiastic approval — has been given. Its features, they will live with us, my fellow citizens, for many years to come.”

— Tully Brown, Nashville District Attorney and one of the Exposition's champions, at the closing ceremonies.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1897.

Location. 36° 9.051′ N, 86° 48.839′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Midtown. Marker can be reached from 27th Avenue North north of Parman Place, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the Lake Watauga Loop Trail in Centennial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Lake Called Watauga (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Exposition Ends, Centennial Park Begins (about 300 feet away);

The Tennessee Centennial Exposition Marker detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 18, 2021

2. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition Marker detail

The Nashville Parthenon (about 400 feet away); Pageantry & Promotion at the Exposition (about 500 feet away); The Exposition's Negro Building (about 500 feet away); The Parthenon (about 500 feet away); Nineteenth Amendment To The United States Constitution (about 600 feet away); Major Wilbur Fisk Foster (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Photographs and ephemera of the event, from a collection maintained by the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Submitted on September 19, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 18, 2021

3. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition Marker detail

Picnickers at the Exposition.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 18, 2021

4. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition Marker detail

Cover of the Centennial Exposition guidebook. Its cost: 25 cents.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 18, 2021

5. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition Marker

The Parthenon replica built for the exposition is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 19, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.