RESOLUTION RS2017-905

A resolution recognizing Cheekwood’s celebration of Bryant Fleming Day in partnership with Friends of Warner Parks on the first Saturday in October.

WHEREAS, Cheekwood is joining with the Friends of Warner Parks to celebrate the first Bryant Fleming Day on October 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Cheekwood and the Warner Parks share a bond through the design work of nationally renowned structural and landscape architect Bryant Fleming; and

WHEREAS, Fleming was a pioneer in his contribution to the establishment of the first known academic study program for landscape architecture at Cornell University; and

WHEREAS, Fleming contributed to the beautification of several parks from New York to Tennessee, including Letchworth State Park, Watkins Glen State Park, Finger Lakes State Parks, Thousand Islands State Parks, and the Warner Parks; and

WHEREAS, Fleming designed homes, landscapes, and entire estates for titans of early 20th-century American industry, including Andrew Carnegie, Ernest Kanzler, William E. Scripps, Robert Carrier, and Stephen Clarke; and

WHEREAS, Bryant Fleming’s known Nashville projects total thirteen, all taking place within a seven-year time frame from 1925 to 1932; and,

WHEREAS, Fleming’s Nashville projects were for the families of Col. Luke Lea, Edwin Warner, Rogers Caldwell, Thomas Tyne, Bruce Shepherd, Julius Weil, George Schwab, William Allen, Runcie Clements, Guilford Dudley, and Leslie Cheek; and,

WHEREAS, Bryant Fleming and his father became Nashville residents while he oversaw these important projects; and

WHEREAS, Fleming fostered the businesses and reputations of local artist Alonzo “A.C.” Webb and ironworker Philip Kerrigan, one of Nashville’s greatest 20th-century artisans; and

WHEREAS, Bryant Fleming contributed to Nashville’s cultural growth through lectures at institutions like the Nashville Garden Club, Garden Study Club, and Vanderbilt Garden Club; and

WHEREAS, Fleming designed the Percy Warner Park allée, one of Nashville’s most recognizable and beloved landscape features; and

WHEREAS, in 1928 Fleming assisted the Cheeks in choosing the property for the construction of their estate adjacent to the Warner Parks and developed idyllic vantage points at Cheekwood, such as the Wisteria Arbor terrace, providing panoramic views of the hills of Percy Warner Park; and

WHEREAS, Cheekwood is presenting the exhibition “Estates of Excellence: Bryant Fleming and the American Country Place Era,” opening in fall of 2017.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Cheekwood’s celebration of Bryant Fleming Day in partnership with Friends of Warner Parks on the first Saturday in October.

Section2. That the Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to President & CEO of Cheekwood Jane McLeod and Executive Director of Friends of Warner Parks Mark Weller.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Angie Henderson, Mina Johnson