Nolensville High is all in a name, residents say

By Kerri Bartlett, Assistant Editor
kerri@williamsonherald.com

With land purchased, site preparation approved and construction dollars to be requested this spring, the new schools to be built in Nolensville are officially named. Mill Creek Elementary and attached Mill Creek Middle School, as well as Nolensville High School will be the names for new schools coming to the northeastern part of the county. However, some residents who could be zoned for the new high school are not enthused about a county school named after a city. “It’s polarizing,” Jill Henderson, a Brentwood parent, told the board before their vote at the meeting. “I have no problem with sending my child to a school in Nolensville, but it’s a problem when a county school is named after a city.

“It’s been 32 years since a school has been named after a city.” Henderson cited the recent names assigned to newer high schools such as Independence and Summit, whereas Brentwood dates back to 1982 and Franklin to 1910.  “Dr. Looney said that we are a county school district, not a district made of cities. It sends the wrong message,” she said.  Two board members agreed. Board members Ken Peterson, District 1, and P.J. Mezera, District 3, voted against the proposed name of the high school Monday.  The committee, charged with presenting a list of three to five potential names for the schools was appointed by the Superintendent according to WCS board policy. The committee included two school board members and two county commissioners, as well as district and school building administrators. They researched possible name choices with a historical significance to the community; and considered all proposed names submitted by county residents.

Committee member Cherie Hammond, District 6 School Board, shared that the overwhelming recurring name  submitted from county residents was Nolensville High School.  From data collected from the community, the top three most reoccurring school names were chosen and included in a survey administered to all in the community who wished to participate. The top names on the ballot were York, Mill Creek and Nolensville.  Mill Creek was chosen as the name for the joint elementary and middle schools because the founders of Nolensville, the Nolen family, lost a wheel on their wagon at Mill Creek, where they decided to settle the area – a town which eventually became their namesake.

“The worst thing that you can do is ask for someone’s opinion, then not listen to it,” said Bobby Hullett, District 7, during discussions at the board meeting Monday night.  Hullett said that not honoring the community’s input would be a mistake.  Looney encouraged all to look beyond the name of the high school.

“It’s what happens inside of the school building that matters not the outside named after geographical features. I can’t think of a reason not to vote for it,” he said.  The elementary and middle schools are projected to open in 2015, while the high school is projected for 2016. Preliminary site construction is underway according to recent reports by school officials.

Ravenswood renovations approach completion

By Carole Robinson, Senior Staff Writer
crobinson@williamsonherald.com

The light taken from an old locomotive is a fitting decor lighting the walkway by the kitchen door, a separate building behind the main house, since Mr. Wilson was among a group of prosperous landowners in the area who built the railroad that still crosses Concord Road near I-65. Carole Robinson

The plantation once sat on several hundred acres of land stretching across the valley to Oak Hall, also known as Century Oak and Inglehame—gifts to Wilson’s sons Samuel and James III. “It is said Emeline used to stand in the parlor and look across the valley at her sons’ homes,” said Amanda Bledsoe, community relations specialist for the City of Brentwood. In 1961, the Smiths purchased Ravenswood and 500-acres. They restored and updated the house and enjoyed many years living there. In 2010, several years after the couple died, their three sons sold the house, outbuildings and 320-acres to the City of Brentwood, with the purpose of developing a comprehensive public park. The City named the park the Marcella Vivrette Smith Park. In 2011, Brentwood added 80-acres more to the park.

With phase one almost completed, additional renovation phases include paved hiking trails through wooded areas and open fields connecting the park to the city’s existing trail system and the addition of multi-purpose athletic fields in a section near the road. A large portion of the property’s 400-acre park will remain undeveloped. The unattached kitchen and the two brick slave quarters will be historically staged to add ambience. A cistern with the original 1800-era Boss pump and the root cellar remain near the house.
They have been repaired and sealed off for safety. A springhouse near the creek is undergoing its own revival.  “The pool was taken out and additional bathrooms were put in the pool house to accommodate large events,” Bledsoe said.

There are some antiques on display throughout the house—some donated, some on loan—but they are merely for background and most can be moved as necessary for an event, Bledsoe said.
For more information about Ravenswood or scheduling an event, call Bledsoe at 371-0060 or email at reservationsatravenswoodmansion@brentwood-tn.org.

If you're familiar with where McKay's Mill is in Franklin TN, then you'll know where Amelia Park is going to be.  Amelia Park by Pulte Homes is going to be on Clovercroft Rd - right across from the McKay's Mill entrance that has the community pool.  Pulte is also the builder who produced the popular Creekstone development on South Royal Oaks in Franklin.  If you're in the market for a newly constructed home in the $300,000 - $400,000 range, Amelia Park is something to consider. 

As a REALTOR who is passionate about new construction, I welcome the opportunity to be your buyer's agent for a home in Amelia Park or any other development.

Ceiling Domes - A Great Architectural Feature

Everyone has a few things that seem to rank higher up on the list of impressiveness when it comes to finishes.  Back in the mid-90's or so, in this area the number of domes seen in new construction seemed to increase.  Well, I'll admit that a dome is super-high on my details that I appreciate.  Can't say why, I just like them.  We ourselves planned a custom home in the mid 2000's and can you guess what was on my list?  Yep... foyer dome.  The foyer had a ceiling height of about 23'.  The dome ended up having about a 7' diameter plus the trim about the base.  From the center hung the chandelier, and to make maintenance easier we installed a light-lift which is a powered winch in the attic that raises and lowers the chandelier for cleaning and bulb-replacment.  I still can't say for sure what it is that draws me to them though.  I just like them.  Here are a few others from our local area of Franklin, Brentwood, and Nashville TN.

Faux Finished Ceiling Dome

Faux Finished Ceiling Dome & Iron Accents

Fire-like Finished Ceiling Dome

Coffered Ceiling Dome