Strategic Alliance & History
Stronger Together
Preserve Nashville’s strategic alliance unites the Preservation Society of Nashville and Historic Nashville, Inc. (now Historic Nashville Easements) under a shared parent structure built for a rapidly changing city. By aligning advocacy, education, and long‑term easement stewardship, the alliance strengthens coordination while honoring each organization’s distinct legacy—creating a single, forward‑looking home for preservation leadership in Davidson County.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Strategic Alliance FAQs
01
Does this change my membership?
If you are a current active member of PSN or HNI, your membership will remain active as a Preserve Nashville member through the existing renewal date. At that time, you will be invited to renew under Preserve Nashville. All of your same benefits continue.
02
Will this affect current programs or events?
All of the beloved programs of Historic Nashville, Inc. and the Preservation Society of Nashville, such as member-only historic tours, Preservation Coffee events, Paint the Town, and more will continue with Preserve Nashville.
03
Who will be leading Preserve Nashville?
Preserve Nashville will be governed by a blended 22-person board, with 11 members from the Preservation Society of Nashville and 11 members from Historic Nashville, Inc. In addition, David Greider has been promoted from Executive Director to President & CEO of this broader parent organization.
04
Will both organizations still exist?
Yes, both organizations will maintain their legal existence. Preserve Nashville will serve as the parent organization and will be focused on advocacy and education, while Historic Nashville Easements (formerly Historic Nashville, Inc.) will continue to operate the easement program.
05
How is this different from what existed before?
Previously, the two organizations operated completely separately with some overlapping goals but different strategies and methods of achieving those goals. This alliance will:
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Unify preservation leadership under Preserve Nashville
The Preservation Society of Nashville and Historic Nashville, Inc. have come together in a strategic alliance that creates Preserve Nashville as a new parent organization with a shared vision and 22-member board representing both legacies. -
Preserve and strengthen Historic Nashville’s easement work
Historic Nashville, Inc. continues as Historic Nashville Easements, a dedicated subsidiary of Preserve Nashville that maintains its core mission of managing and protecting historic preservation easements. -
Align advocacy, education, and easement stewardship
By coordinating public advocacy, programs, and easement protection, the alliance makes preservation more proactive, strategic, and effective in the face of rapid growth. -
Increase long-term sustainability and capacity
Combining boards, staff leadership, and organizational infrastructure expands capacity, reduces duplication, and supports long-term financial and operational stability for preservation work across Davidson County. -
Amplify preservation’s voice for a growing city
With one coordinated structure and co-chairs drawn from both legacy organizations, Preserve Nashville can speak with a stronger, unified voice—better equipped to influence policy, partner with communities, and keep historic places central to Nashville’s future.
06
Why is this happening now?
Nashville’s rapid growth makes it more important than ever to have a coordinated, proactive approach to preservation.
07
Is this happening because one organization was struggling?
No, this is a strategic decision, not a reaction to challenges. Both organizations are strong, but we recognized that by aligning our efforts, we can be more effective and better serve Nashville at a critical moment of growth.
08
Is this about stopping development?
No, this alliance supports thoughtful growth, ensuring Nashville can continue to evolve while preserving what makes it unique.
Preserve Nashville at a Glance
40+
300+
25+
1,500+
29
Historic properties protected in perpetuity through Historic Nashville Easements
Historic properties strengthened through overlays, advocacy, and design standards
Members standing up for Nashville's history and character
Subscribers and supporters engaged through programs, tours. and regular outreach
Corporate sponsors investing in preservation and Nashville's quality of life
“Preservation in Nashville isn’t about saving, copying, or recreating the past. It’s about creating a future that’s even better than the past ever was, by honoring our city’s unique stories and architecture while building vibrant, connected communities.”
Cyril Stewart,
Preserve Nashville Board Member; AIA + Owner, Cyril Stewart Architects; Commissioner, Metro Historic Zoning
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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.
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.
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.
This approach preserves Historic Nashville’s specialized expertise and legacy in easement stewardship while integrating it into a unified, citywide preservation strategy.
The Preservation Society of Nashville was founded in 2022 as the city’s first staffed, citywide preservation nonprofit in more than 30 years. From the outset, the organization has embraced a contemporary, solutions‑oriented philosophy: preservation not as a barrier to growth, but as a catalyst for vibrant, inclusive, and economically thriving neighborhoods.
In its first years, the Preservation Society of Nashville rapidly built modern fundraising infrastructure, organizational capacity, and a strong public presence. In 2023, it helped secure the expansion of the downtown historic overlay, resulting in protections for 35 additional historic structures—an early example of its impact at the policy level.
By combining professional staff, digital communications platforms, and strong relationships with Metro Council, planning staff, developers, and neighborhood leaders, the organization positioned itself to influence how preservation is integrated into Nashville’s growth.
Today, its work continues as the advocacy, education, and public‑facing arm of Preserve Nashville, bringing energy, strategic capacity, and a broader, community‑centered lens to the shared mission.
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History of the Preservation Society of Nashville