Nashville Michigan Historical Society

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Just a reminder....due to the Nashville Classic Car Show, there will not be a membership meeting this month. BUT, we will be selling our raffle tickets from 9 AM until 2 PM at our building downtown. Drop in and get your chance to win some beautiful patriotic items that will be keepsakes of America's 250th anniversary!

There will also be the horse and wagon tour of some historic homes in the Nashville neighborhood. Hop on board in the alley behind Parady Park. 10AM to 2 PM.

06/15/2026

Putnam Park's New and Improved Look

On Friday afternoon, Nashville Council members, citizens and Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance met together for the ribbon cutting of Putnam Park's enhancements. Dozens of people were on hand for the ceremony and then took part in some local Moo-ville ice cream with Nashville Syrup Association's maple syrup on top.

Two years ago, the village applied for, but did not receive, a "SPARKS" grant, but last year the application was approved. I drive past the park several times a day, and I have never seen so many children taking advantage of the new equipment.

The village DPW crew, headed by Josh Pierce, with the help of village clerk, Kayce Nelson, the Village Council and Parks and Recreation committee, all worked to make this come to fruition.

Almost one million in funding allowed the makeover. All new equipment in a newly developed playground area, with a handicap accessible cement walkway, allows even those with challenges to access the playground.

A trail was developed that winds through the park and up the hill. As you walk the trail there are kiosks that currently tell some of the history of this village. The Nashville, Michigan Historical Society put together photos and descriptive paragraphs about the early community. These scenes, attached to six kiosks, are located at various intervals as you walk the trail to the top. We will share pupulating them with the Putnam Library as the Park Committee deems appropriate.

Newly designed and paved pickleball courts / basketball courts are still in the last stages of development and should be finalized soon. There will be plenty of lighting for those who might want to play in the evening and a small pavilion to get out of the sun if needed.

There is more parking than ever before, with a new parking lot near the picnic pavilion and a larger lot just west of the Syrup Association building along with a stairway leading to the new courts.

There are still plenty of trees in the park, (I counted over 70), and the Maple Syrup Association has planted some new ones to assure that we will always have our beautiful maple trees that our village is noted for.

Drop by and drive up into the new lot to look over this treasure of the village. It will serve the community for years to come.

06/07/2026

Members, do I have your attention ? Before and after, see how he gracefully aged ? That’s because he needs some help….would you like be a docent ? We need some help, go get your calendar,,
Got it ? Good! now on the 20 th June we will be selling Quilt raffle tickets at the car show ( that why we have the car pictures) and we need some one to assist, watch over, be in the History center from 10 to 12 and from 12 to 2, then on July 11 th that’s the huge biggest most besets 250 th celebration that our village has ever seen, we again need docents, hi, welcome in, just looking? Let me show ya this milk bottle, some of us will riding around on a horse wagon, somebody else will be drawing winners of the quilts and we need somebody to man the History spot…..how about you ? OH one more…would you like to go to the Barry County Fair on Tuesday seniors day on the 21st of July ? Two hours sitting at the local history table and it’s free admission. So now you know why the little guy has aged, custom autos ( the family truckster and the chicken mobile) and of course the patriotic pick are featured today. Let us know if you have the time and want to have just a little bit of fun 😉

06/07/2026

AH…….YES PUTNAM PARK, Sliding in the winter, Motocross with 26 pound Roadmaster bikes in summer, Family picnics, Reunions, Class Projects (raking leaves), and on and on. The Village has reimagined our park and we are excited about the outcome. On FRIDAY THE 12th of June at 3:00 PM the park will be rededicated, come see the New/Old Park with its picnic areas, playground, walking history trail and pickle and basketball courts. Yes, there will be a ribbon cutting, some self-guided tours and, we have heard that the Maple Syrup Association will be cooking up some sweet treats for the attendees.” The sweetest little village on the Thornapple River” invites you to come home on Friday and enjoy our New/Old park, stop in at the Putman District Library, check out our antique shop and don’t forget to pick up those fresh baked goods at the bakery for Saturday Morning, then have a bit to eat and marvel at what your home town was, and …..what it has become.

PS: Please tap on the pictures so you can see the WIIIIIIDE version

06/03/2026

Looking for a peaceful walk in the current mild weather? Consider a walk in Nashville's Lakeview Cemetery. Not only a place for grieving, but it can also be a beautiful and relaxing observance, especially this time of year. Freshly mown grass, lots of flags on veteran's graves, and floral displays abound.

The Nashville, Michigan Historical Society built and maintains the Susan Murphy Hinckley Historical Pavilion in the 1875 cemetery. We usually display artifacts and photos of Nashville's history, but this year we chose to focus on the celebration of our Nation's anniversary.

The displays are the work of Debbe and Kermit Douse and contain interesting information for visitors to stop and check out. One side tells the story of the three different flags of our country, and the other side speaks of Revolutionary soldier, John Quick and his family, who moved to the Maple Grove area in 1837.

Take a moment to stop in at the pavilion to check this out and get keyed up to celebrate with our community on July 10th and 11th.

05/30/2026

Due to a reply to another posting, the Bee-liner was mentioned, who remembers our first "Train Trip"......this picture is before 1954 we believe, and if you, your mother, even your grandmother can Id the travelers in the second picture this author would appreciate it. OH! and don't forget that Membership in the Nashville Historical is just $20 a year.

05/29/2026

Sooooo where is our electric interurban ? This map from around 1890’s show a proposed electric rail car service that was proposed to come right thru Nashville, But alas the idea and the reality of “inter urban “ rail service faded into just dreams and memories with the advent of railroads, roads and the automobile. If you were a member of the Nashville Historical Society you would know of the trans Michigan boat canal that might have brought river boats to our fair village, and that part of that canal got built.

05/27/2026

Schools out…BUT look at this classroom, check out the members of this third and fourth grade class…..what year was this ?