Battle of Nashville Trust

Battle of Nashville Trust BONT is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization with open membership.

A non-profit organization that seeks to preserve and maintain remaining portions of the Civil War battlefield where the Battle of Nashville occurred on December 15-16, 1864

06/12/2026

June 12, 2026 – JUNE BONT NEWSLETTER IS HERE – NCWRT MEETING JUNE 16

Don't miss the next Nashville Civil War Roundtable meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The NCWRT presentation will feature Howard G. Mann, President of the Nashville Civil War Roundtable, speaking on the topic "Love, Tragedy and Redemption," the remarkable story of Nashville native Martha O'Bryan and Confederate officer Robert Yates Beall. Their wartime romance was cut short when Beall was captured and executed near the end of the Civil War after participating in a secret Confederate operation. Martha O'Bryan never married, but dedicated her life to helping others through church-based charitable programs whose legacy continues today. The meeting is open to the public.

The June 2026 Battle of Nashville Trust Newsletter also includes a message from newly elected BONT President Brad Gericke, who outlines his vision for expanding preservation efforts and strengthening the Trust's mission to protect the memories, land, structures, and artifacts of the Campaign and Battle of Nashville.

In addition, this month's featured article by Casey Gillespie of Belle Meade explores the important role Belle Meade played during the Battle of Nashville.

Read the complete newsletter for more on upcoming events, preservation news, and opportunities to support battlefield preservation at https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

05/13/2026

May 13, 2026 – MAY 2026 NEWSLETTER OF THE BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST

The May 2026 Newsletter of the Battle of Nashville Trust highlights a pivotal new chapter in the organization’s preservation mission, and also brings you up-to-date on all activities of the Nashville Civil War Round Table.

This month’s edition features the announcement of BONT’s major leadership and organizational changes designed to strengthen efforts to preserve endangered Battle of Nashville battlefield property. Bobby Whitson has transitioned from President to the newly created Executive Director position, while Brad Gericke has been elected President and Brandon Hulette Vice President. The new structure reflects BONT’s intensified commitment to expanding battlefield acquisition, preservation, education, and public engagement as development pressures continue across Nashville.

The Newsletter also includes a link to information on the upcoming May 19, 2026, NCWRT meeting and program at Ft. Negley, featuring the presentation “The Scott Boys From East Tennessee” by author S. Scott Anderson, along with new historical articles by John Banks and Casey Gillespie exploring lesser-known stories connected to the Battle of Nashville and Middle Tennessee Civil War history. Look for the Round Table link in the Newsletter.

Readers will also find updates on preservation initiatives, membership opportunities, and ways to support the Trust’s growing mission.

Click here for details: www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

MAY 9, 2026 – BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AND NEW PRESERVATION INITIATIVEThe Batt...
05/09/2026

MAY 9, 2026 – BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AND NEW PRESERVATION INITIATIVE

The Battle of Nashville Trust has announced a major new chapter in its mission to preserve and protect the history of the Battle of Nashville.

For the first time in the organization’s 34-year history, BONT has established the position of Executive Director to strengthen and expand battlefield preservation efforts across Nashville. Former President Bobby Whitson (see photo) now assumes that role, while retired U.S. Army Major General Brad Gericke has been elected President and Vanderbilt professor Brandon Hulette as Vice President.

The new leadership structure reflects an intensified commitment to acquiring and protecting endangered battlefield sites before they are lost to development. In the coming months, BONT will launch major fundraising and volunteer initiatives aimed at preserving remaining battlefield land, expanding interpretation efforts, and increasing public awareness of Nashville’s critical role in the Civil War.

The organization reaffirmed its mission to protect the memories, land, structures, and artifacts of the Campaign and Battle of Nashville through world-class preservation, education, and advocacy.

As Nashville continues to grow, BONT’s leaders emphasized that the time to act is now. Learn more in the May 2026 BONT Newsletter: https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

PARK DAY IS HERE – SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 9:00 A.M., SHY’S HILL -- Come join us on The Hill to continue the ice storm clea...
04/24/2026

PARK DAY IS HERE – SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 9:00 A.M., SHY’S HILL -- Come join us on The Hill to continue the ice storm cleanup of this iconic Battle of Nashville site. The event is part of Park Day, in conjunction with the American Battlefield Trust. We will be joined by, among others, Boy Scout Troop 418 from Brentwood -- a great service project for these young men and for the Battle of Nashville Trust. Meet us at 9 AM at the trailhead on Benton Smith Road. Details below! See details at https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/events/.

COMING SOON: APRIL 25 -- PARK DAY AT SHY’S HILL!Please join us for national "Park Day" in conjunction with the American ...
04/14/2026

COMING SOON: APRIL 25 -- PARK DAY AT SHY’S HILL!

Please join us for national "Park Day" in conjunction with the American Battlefield Trust – historical preservation at work! Clean-up begins at the Shy’s Hill trailhead at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25. For more details, go to https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/events/.

APRIL 2026 BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST NEWSLETTER -- Spring is here, and BONT has an active month ahead! Join us for our 3...
04/12/2026

APRIL 2026 BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST NEWSLETTER -- Spring is here, and BONT has an active month ahead! Join us for our 30th Annual Park Day on April 25 at 9 AM at Shy’s Hill, helping clean up storm damage and preserve this historic site. Volunteers and tools are welcome—water will be provided.

In this month’s message, BONT President Bobby Whitson reflects on a recent battlefield artifact discovery from 1863, a powerful reminder of the individual soldiers whose stories we work to preserve.

Also upcoming: the Nashville Civil War Roundtable meets April 21 at 6 PM at Belmont Mansion, featuring William Parker on “Feeding Civil War Armies.”

The Featured Column by Howard Mann examines Colonel John A. Martin, Provost Marshal of Nashville (1862–63), offering insight into military governance, order, and daily life in an occupied city. For more details on all topics, see the full Newsletter at: https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

04/08/2026

NASHVILLE CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE -- APRIL 21, 2026 – SAVE THE DATE! --
The April meeting of the NCWRT will take place on Tuesday, April 21st at 6:00 PM (note earlier time) and will return to Belmont Mansion, 1700 Acklen Avenue, with convenient on-site parking. (see special parking note below!). The meeting is open to the public as always. For more detail, see the Nashville Civil War Round Table April Newsletter at https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/nashville-civil-war-roundtable/.

This month’s program, “Feeding Civil War Armies,” explores a critical but often overlooked aspect of the war. From salt pork and coffee rations to cattle driven “on the hoof,” both Union and Confederate armies worked to sustain their troops—though supply breakdowns and rapid movements often left soldiers hungry. Drawing on period accounts and recent scholarship, this program highlights how armies managed (and sometimes failed) to feed themselves in the field.

Our speaker, William Parker of Clarksville, is a U.S. Army veteran, former Historical Interpreter at Fort Defiance Park, and Adjunct Professor of History at Austin Peay State University. He will also share artifacts related to Civil War rations.

IMPORTANT PARKING AND LOCATION NOTE: Belmont Mansion is located on the Belmont University campus, corner of Acklen Avenue & Belmont Cir. in Nashville. For easy directions, set your GPS to "Belmont Mansion Visitor Parking."

PARK DAY IS COMING -- APRIL 25, 2026 -- SAVE THE DATE!The Battle of Nashville Trust is inviting volunteers to join us fo...
03/25/2026

PARK DAY IS COMING -- APRIL 25, 2026 -- SAVE THE DATE!
The Battle of Nashville Trust is inviting volunteers to join us for a very important Park Day clean-up at Shy's Hill, in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust.

Following the historic January ice storm, this year’s effort is especially meaningful as we work together to restore this hallowed ground. Volunteers will gather at the Shy’s Hill Trailhead on Benton Smith Rd. on Saturday, April 25, at 9:00 AM to get organized.

Projects will include clearing limbs, removing invasive plants, and improving trails. Bottled water will be provided—please feel free to bring gloves and outdoor tools such as rakes, clippers, or saws.
As BONT President Bobby Whitson notes, this is an opportunity for anyone who understands the importance of preserving this historic landscape to lend a hand.

Park Day marks its 30th year nationwide, with volunteers at over 100 historic sites working together to protect America’s battlefields. Join us and help preserve Nashville’s history for future generations.

03/12/2026

MARCH 2026 BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST NEWSLETTER

The March newsletter from the Battle of Nashville Trust is now available!

This month’s issue includes:

• A spring update on Shy’s Hill following the recent ice storm
• A tribute to longtime board member and Nashville historian Bob Henderson
• News about preservation advocacy for the Tennessee Civil War Sites Preservation Fund
• Details on the March Nashville Civil War Roundtable program on Civil War ballooning
• The latest installment of Howard Mann’s historical column

Read the full newsletter here:
battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/

NASHVILLE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE MEETING SET FOR MARCH 17, 2026 -- The next meeting of the Nashville Civil War Roundtable ...
03/12/2026

NASHVILLE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE MEETING SET FOR MARCH 17, 2026 -- The next meeting of the Nashville Civil War Roundtable will be held:

📅 Tuesday, March 17, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Fort Negley Visitors Center, 1100 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville

This month’s program, “Thaddeus Lowe, Civil War Balloonism,” will be presented by historian Dr. Cheryl McAuley. The program explores the fascinating story of Thaddeus Lowe, the Union Army’s Chief Aeronaut, whose pioneering use of observation balloons helped introduce aerial reconnaissance during the Civil War.

The meeting is free and open to the public, and guests are always welcome.

More details:
https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/nashville-civil-war-roundtable/

Read the full March newsletter:
https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/

Address

Nashville, TN
37219

Telephone

+16158045068

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Battle of Nashville Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Battle of Nashville Trust:

Shortcuts

Share

Category