HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT NASHVILLE

       The DISTRICT program began in the late 1980's as a collaboration between Historic Nashville Inc. and the Metropolitan Historical Commission. Patterned after the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s successful Main Street Program, the two organizations sought to focus on the historic areas of Nashville, specifically 2nd Avenue, Broadway and Printer’s Alley. The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency provided a three-year block grant of $30,000 per year as seed money to fund the startup of The DISTRICT organization.

     The Historic Riverfront Association 501(c)(3), established in the mid-1980's, sought to promote, preserve and protect the businesses, residents and buildings along 1st Avenue North and the Riverfront. When approached by Historic Nashville and the Metro Historic Commission to merge into The DISTRICT program, the Historic Riverfront Association 501(c)(3) welcomed the opportunity to expand its scope and continue its work.  The Historic Riverfront Association already had a 501(c)(3) and the new organization, The DISTRICT, used The Historic Riverfront Association's non-profit designation.

     Geographically, The DISTRICT consists of three of downtown Nashville's National Register Historic Districts: 2nd Avenue, Broadway and Printer’s Alley. Organizationally, it is a partnership of the business community, property owners, preservationists, non-profits and government agencies with an interest in downtown Nashville.