Our Mission
Established 2018, our mission is to preserve, protect, enhance and activate the William Edmondson Homesite Park and Gardens as a living legacy to groundbreaking African American William Edmondson, and to foster a creative, vibrant, and safe public space for all of Nashville to enjoy.
The Friends of the Edmondson Homesite Board of Directors
Brenda Morrow - President
Gloria McKissack - Vice President
Mark Schlicher - Vice President
Brad MacLean - Secretary
Elizabeth Moss Evans - Treasurer
Cynthia Clark Matthews
Thom Heine
Chris Romeo
Greg Westbrook
Tremonisha West
William Edmondson Historic Homesite
William Edmondson, born in 1874 to formerly-enslaved parents, began a prolific sculpting career with limestone carvings in 1931. In 1937 he became the first African-American to earn a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. His renowned works are now held in major museums throughout America and command prices in excess of $700,00. He lived in his home in Edgehill at 1434 14th Avenue South, where he sculpted his artworks, up until his death in 1951.
History of the Edmondson Homesite Park
The Edgehill neighborhood has been in existence since the close of the Civil War, when it was first settled by formerly-enslaved people and their descendants. By the 1920's, it had grown into a stable and close-knit African-American community of both working-class and professionals. Edgehill's rich history includes many groundbreaking figures, including 19th century activist Callie House, architect Moses McKissack, and Grand Ole Opry star DeFord Bailey.
Sculptor William Edmondson’s his home (which also functioned as his studio) once stood on the park land that we are fighting to preserve, protect, and enhance. A Tennessee historic marker currently indicates the location of his homesite as it once stood within this park.
In the 1950s the Nashville Housing Agency (NHA), as part of Urban Renewal, cleared the homes that stood on the southern end of the park (including William Edmondson’s home) and built the Murrell Elementary School.
In 1968, the NHA (now MDHA) used eminent domain power to take the residential properties on the north half of the park property and bulldoze the remaining homes, initially for a school expansion and, when those plans changed, to expand the Edgehill public housing projects.
Facing fierce opposition to the public housing plans from civil rights leaders Mansfield Douglas, Jr., Rev. Bill Barnes and others, the city and MDHA backed down, but abandoned the property as a barren field, which it mostly remained for thirty years, until 2001.
In the 1990’s, Organized Neighbors of Edgehill (O.N.E., the longest running grassroots advocacy non-profit in Edgehill) established the Edgehill Memorial Community Garden, one of Nashville's first recognized community gardens.
In 2001 O.N.E. won a Community Development Block Grant from Metro establish the park and it’s current amenities, including the playground site, walking trails, and picnic pavilions.
In May of 2018, the city abruptly announced their intention to sell the entire property including the park, garden, and school, to private developers. Seeing that the park was in grave danger of being sold and developed, the Save The William Edmondson Homesite Coalition was quickly formed. The community rallied together, drew up a petition, and canvassed for signatures; most importantly, we educated Metro Council and the school board of the historic importance, deep community connection, and ongoing civic value of this beloved park.
Because of our activism, and with the support of our District Council Member Colby Sledge, Metro Council voted nearly unanimously to stop the sale of the property. Since the vote to save this greenspace in the summer of 2018, the neighborhood has continued to make improvements to the park with locally raised funds, including installing new trash cans, putting up dog waste stations, refurbishing the basketball court, planting 50+ trees with the Nashville Tree Foundation to qualify as a state arboretum, and building a brand-new playground.
As of 2023, the William Edmondson Homesite Park and Gardens remains threatened by neglect and resistance from Metro Nashville government, including Metro’s refusal to engage meaningfully with our detailed community-created Higher Vision Master Plan for the park, which envisions much-needed capital improvements including a new public library, a William Edmondson Cultural Arts Center with art instruction and galleries and performance spaces, and a
We appreciate your help and your support to continue our efforts to protect and improve upon this valued community greenspace. Please sign up for our occasional newsletter, email alerts, and volunteer opportunities.
Edmondson's Homesite Workshop
"Wisdom, that's what the Lord gave me at birth, but I didn't know it till He came and told me about it. It's wonderful when God gives you something. You've got it for good, and yet you ain't got it. You got to do it and work for it. I do according to the wisdom of God. He gives me mind and hand, and then I go ahead and carve these things you see here." - William Edmondson
Edmondson's Homesite Workshop
“This here stone and all those out there in the yard—came from God. It’s the work of Jesus speaking his mind in my mind. I must be one of His diciples. These here is miracles I can do. Can’t nobody do these but me. Jesus has planted the seed of carving in me.” - William Edmondson, 1937