PRESERVING PROPERTIES IN PERPETUITY
Strategic Alliance & History
Stronger Together
Historic Nashville Easements operates within a strategic alliance that brings together the Preservation Society of Nashville and Historic Nashville, Inc. under the Preserve Nashville parent organization. As the easement-focused subsidiary, Historic Nashville Easements provides long‑term legal protection for significant historic properties, while Preserve Nashville leads broader advocacy and education efforts. Together, this coordinated model strengthens preservation leadership across Davidson County and honors the distinct legacies of both organizations in a single, forward‑looking framework.
Strategic Alliance
a new chapter for preservation in Nashville
On April 7, 2026, the Boards of Directors of the Preservation Society of Nashville and Historic Nashville, Inc. formally approved a strategic alliance establishing Preserve Nashville as the parent organization. Through this alliance, two of Nashville’s leading preservation nonprofits are now united under a coordinated, forward‑looking structure designed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing city.
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Under this new model, Historic Nashville, Inc. is retained as a separate nonprofit entity and operates as Historic Nashville Easements, a subsidiary of Preserve Nashville responsible for the management and stewardship of historic preservation easements. This parent‑subsidiary structure aligns governance while maintaining distinct corporate purposes, strengthening coordination and long‑term sustainability for preservation efforts across Davidson County.
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A unified 22‑member Board of Directors guides Preserve Nashville, composed evenly of 11 members from the Preservation Society of Nashville and 11 members from Historic Nashville, Inc. A separate five‑member board leads Historic Nashville Easements, ensuring focused oversight of the easement program. Ellen Hurd and Kelleigh Bannen serve as Co‑Chairs of Preserve Nashville through 2027 to provide continuity and stability during the transition, and David Greider serves as CEO.
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This strategic alliance reflects a shared commitment to do preservation work at a higher level—aligning advocacy, education, and direct preservation tools so Nashville’s historic and significant places remain central to the city’s future. It was made possible in part by a $25,000 grant from the Frist Foundation, which supported strategic facilitation, legal services, financial and risk assessments, and branding and communications necessary to complete the alliance.
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The alliance process began in 2025, building on deepening collaboration between the two organizations as Nashville’s development pressures intensified and the need for coordinated preservation leadership became more urgent. Joint advocacy, shared work around a long‑awaited citywide preservation plan, and ongoing engagement with Metro Planning highlighted the value of a unified structure capable of engaging at both the policy and project levels. The formal approval of the alliance in 2026 marks a defining moment for preservation in Nashville—aligning two strong legacies under a shared vision for growth, stewardship, and impact.
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History of Historic Nashville, Inc.
Founded in 1968 (renamed in 1975), Historic Nashville, Inc. has played a central role in protecting the places that define Nashville’s identity and civic life. Over nearly six decades, the organization has helped secure preservation victories for landmarks such as the Ryman Auditorium, Union Station, the Hermitage Hotel, Lower Broadway, and the Shelby Street Bridge, as well as key neighborhood historic districts.
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In 1982, Historic Nashville established Tennessee’s first preservation easement program, creating a powerful tool to protect significant properties in perpetuity. Through recorded easements, the organization has helped ensure that historic façades and other defining features cannot be demolished or inappropriately altered, preserving the city’s architectural character for future generations.
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As part of the strategic alliance, Historic Nashville, Inc. continues its work through Historic Nashville Easements, a nonprofit subsidiary of Preserve Nashville. Historic Nashville Easements maintains its own board and distinct corporate purpose while operating within the broader Preserve Nashville family. Its role is to:
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Manage and steward the existing portfolio of preservation easements that permanently protect historic properties across Nashville.
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Work closely with property owners, preservation professionals, and public agencies to monitor, enforce, and strengthen easement protections.
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Serve as the hub for easement‑based preservation tools within the Preserve Nashville structure.​
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This approach preserves Historic Nashville’s specialized expertise and legacy in easement stewardship while integrating it into a unified, citywide preservation strategy.