Nashville Zoo to Hold Program Sharing Its Unique History

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Zoo and the Tennessee State Library and Archives will co-host a free program highlighting the history of the property and historic home through a new digital collection 7 p.m. April 5 at the Croft Center.

The program will tell the story of how two sisters’ love of animals led to the Nashville Zoo's relocation. The collection includes photographs, letters, oral history audio excerpts, maps, memorabilia and land records.

The home, built in 1810, is one of the oldest residences in Davidson County open to the public. The property served as a family farm for 175 years. Sisters Margaret and Elise Croft willed the Grassmere property to be used as a nature preserve upon their deaths, and Nashville Zoo began management of the site in 1997 to honor that request.

Tori Mason, historic site manager of Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, will share some of the more than 250 items included in the new Tennessee Virtual Archive collection curated by the Library and Archives staff. Megan Spainhour and Jami Awalt from the Library and Archives will also present on instructing how to browse the collection through TeVA, which is available here.

About Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the globe as well as in our own backyard. The Zoo attracts more than 980,000 visitors annually and is considered one of the top attractions in Nashville. Nashville Zoo is located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, about Nashville Zoo, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

Media Contact:

Jim Bartoo

Marketing & PR Director

jbartoo@nashvillezoo.org

615-833-1534 x126

Sample social post: Discover @NashvilleZoo's unique history April 5 #madeintn @visitmusiccity: https://goo.gl/wpnLrn via @tntravelnews

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