The Centennial Park and Parthenon Replica is located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and is a 132-acre urban park. In 1897, the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition created a full-scale model of the Athenian Parthenon that remained when it closed. This park was originally farmland belonging to Anne Robertson Johnson Cockrill, the first teacher in Tennessee. The land became fair grounds after the Civil War.
This Centennial Park and Parthenon Replica is a beautiful park with many activities that visitors will enjoy returning many times. There are numerous walking trails, picnic areas, and home to many different events year around. Areas of interest include:
1. The Parthenon is a full-sized replica and the centerpiece of the park containing a recreation of a 42 foot statue of Athena inside the Parthenon, and is a salute to classical architecture.
2. The Art Museum of Nashville is housed in the Parthenon, and contains a permanent collection of 19th and 20th century American artists.
3. The Centennial Park Bandshell has been the venue for summer concerts since 1937 when Leon Cole first played his electric organ at this site.
4. Lake Watauga is a beautiful artificial lake that was built for the park during the Centennial where visitors can take pleasure in a walk along the edge of the lake or enjoy a lovely, quiet picnic in view of this small, serene lake.
This is a wonderful place to spend a relaxing day, rejuvenate the spirit, and enjoy a lovely, natural setting.