Back in the Day

In 2006, the Archives opened an exhibit entitled, "Play Ball" featuring interviews with some of Nashville's baseball greats.  In honor of Black History Month, Back in the Day presents Jim Zapp.  Born in 1924 in Nashville, his baseball career began after his enlistment in the US Navy during World War 2.He joined a segregated military team while stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His coach, impressed with his ability,  transferred him to the white team, becoming only one of two African-American players in the integrated line-up. After the war, he signed with the Baltimore Elite Giants, returning home to Nashville in 1946 and joining the Nashville Cubs. Later he went to play for the Birmingham Black Barons, the Morocco Stars, the Nashville Stars and finally returned to the Elite Giants. At the conclusion of the 1955 season, he retired from baseball.  Mr. Zapp passed away on september 30, 2016.

Historian DeAnn Killon discusses some of the Tennessee Women that contributed to the United States victory in World War 2

Historian DeAnn Killon discusses some of the Tennessee Women that contributed to the United States victory in World War 2

In this episode from 2019, Tony Turnbow discusses his nonfiction History book, Hardened to Hickory: the missing chapter of Andrew Jackson's Life.

In this episode, Metro Archivist Ken Fieth talks with local historian, author and Professor Todd Van Beck on funeral practices during the American Civil War, 1861-1865.

In this episode, Metro Archivist Ken Fieth talks with local historian, author and Professor Todd Van Beck on funeral practices during the American Civil War, 1861-1865

Author Kurt Vetters discusses his newest books, Confederate Winter and Freedom Spring.

Author Kurt Vetters discusses his newest books, Confederate Winter and Freedom Spring.

Metro Archivist Ken Fieth speaks with Bill Carey, a.k.a. History Bill, on his new book about Slavery in Nashville and Davidson County.

Metro Archivist Ken Fieth speaks with Bill Carey, a.k.a. History Bill, on his new book about Slavery in Nashville and Davidson County.

The lead story on May 24th, 1968 was the killing of popular, well-known Chevrolet dealership owner Haynie Gourley. Not since the Cooper-Carmack case of 1908 had Nashville been so pre-occupied with a murder investigation. The murder is still unsolved.

“W. Haynie Gourley of 508 Belle Meade Blvd, president of Capitol Chevrolet Co. was shot and killed today at point-blank range during a robbery attempt.” The lead story on May 24th, 1968 was the killing of popular, well-known Chevrolet dealership owner Haynie Gourley.  From researching the Record Group held by the Archives, facts and events around the murder began to emerge making Bill Powell Gourley’s partner at Capitol Chevrolet and riding companion that fateful morning the primary suspect. Not since the Cooper-Carmack case of 1908 had Nashville been so pre-occupied with a murder investigation.  The back and forth of the case would drag on through the summer and fall of 1968, culminating in the indictment of Powell for murder in 1969. Bill Powell’s initial story of a gunman’s attempted robbery turned murder evolved into one of the most spectacular of all Nashville murder trials. Bill Powell was acquitted of all charges. The murder is still unsolved.

Sarah Arntz, an Archivist with the Metro Archives, speaks about her recent processing of the US Weather Service, Nashville Station journals. Some of the more interesting entries relate sightings of the Northern Lights and the first Airmail balloon—The Buffalo—making trips across Nashville. 

Sarah Arntz, an Archivist wiht the Metro Archives, speaks about her recent processing of the US Weather Service, Nashville Station journals. Some of the more interesting entries relate sightings of the Northern Lights and the first Airmail balloon—The Buffalo—making trips across Nashville. 

During this episode, Myers Brown, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Archives Development Program, discusses their project to collect and preserve the records of Tennesseans during the war.

During this episode, Myers Brown, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Archives Development Program, discusses their project to collect and preserve the records of Tennesseans during the war.

Archivist Drew Mahan discusses the use of implosion technology and the recent implosion of the Lifeway Draper Tower.

Archivist Drew Mahan discusses the use of implosion technology and the recent implosion of the Lifeway Draper Tower.

Nashville had a strong second generation German community by the time of World War One.  Amy Wannamacher discusses the impact of the strong Anti-German sentiment expressed on the National, State and local level on the Nashville German community. 

Nashville had a strong second generation German community by the time of World War One.  Amy Wannamacher discusses the impact of the strong Anti-German sentiment expresssed on the National, State and local level on the Nashville German community. 

During this episode, Metropolitan Archivist Ken Fieth welcomes Mark Thompson for a discussion in commemoration of the United States' entry into World War I, just over one hundred years ago. Mark is a living history interpreter and student of America's military and wars.

During this episode, Metropolitan Archivist Ken Fieth welcomes Mark Thompson for a discussion in commemoration of the United States' entry into World War I, just over one hundred years ago. Mark is a living history interpreter and student of America's military and wars.