Nashville’s Historic Hubbard House Set for Transformation with $100,000 Grant

Nashville’s Historic Hubbard House Gets a Fresh Start

Nashville is buzzing with excitement as the historic George W. Hubbard House, which has been vacant for years, is about to get a major transformation. Thanks to a generous $100,000 grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, the efforts to preserve this vital piece of history are finally taking shape. The grant will help the Hubbard House, located on the original campus of the historically Black Meharry Medical College, undergo much-needed restoration, celebrating the incredible work of African American architects.

11 Years of Hard Work

After a long journey of over a decade, Robert Churchwell Jr., a leader at Seay-Hubbard United Methodist Church, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’ve been on this journey for 11 years, trying to get the Hubbard House up and running. This is the first phase out of a larger plan.” It’s heartening to see that the hard work of so many people is beginning to bear fruit.

Rich History Since 1921

The Hubbard House was built in 1921 by the renowned architectural firm McKissack and McKissack, one of the oldest Black-owned architectural firms in the United States. Funded by alumni, students, and faculty of Meharry, the house was named after the first president of the college and is the only remaining structure from the original campus, which moved to North Nashville in the 1930s.

The house served as a retirement residence for George W. Hubbard until it transitioned to the ownership of Reverend Julian Johnson, a former pastor. “The home still has furniture from when Hubbard lived in the home,” Churchwell noted, highlighting the tangible connection to its past. After Johnson’s retirement, the church purchased the house and used it as a parsonage until it was no longer utilized for that purpose. It proudly holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.

A Vision for the Future

In 2015, the Friends of the Hubbard House nonprofit was established to rally resources for restoring the home as a community asset for South Nashville and the Trimble Bottom area. Partnering with Meharry Medical College, plans are in place to transform the house into a minor medical, dental, and mental health facility. How exciting is that?

Under the supervision of licensed physicians, Meharry students will provide free medical services for patients dealing with minor health issues. The facility will be able to prescribe medications as well. The program will rotate dental and medical services throughout the week, while mental health services are aimed at running five days a week. This effort not only aims to revitalize the house but also to be a beacon of hope and health for the community.

Holistic Community Engagement

In addition to healthcare, the Hubbard House will serve as a venue for community gatherings, offering free meeting spaces and tutorial assistance for local schools like Cameron Lee Academy and Napier Elementary. Churchwell shared, “Cameron Lee shared with us that they would like musical assistance because they do not have a musical program. We have many members of the congregation who were musical teachers.” It’s this kind of community focus that makes the redevelopment of this house so special.

A Call to Action

While the recent grant is a fantastic start, Churchwell reminds us that “It’s a beginning to jump start the restoration of the house.” The community is evolving with gentrification, and many residents are eager for the services and opportunities this initiative will bring.

Out of 30 sites nationwide that received funding through the Conserving Black Modernism program, the Hubbard House stands out as a vital project that needs ongoing community support. Approximately $1 million in additional fundraising is still required to bring the restoration fully to life since the grant covers only a fraction of the work needed, like windows and masonry.

If you’re inspired to help restore this incredible piece of history, donations can be sent to the Seay-Hubbard United Methodist Church at 1116 First Ave S. in Nashville, directed to the President of the Hubbard House. Let’s come together to support this important cause and breathe new life into the Hubbard House!