Honoring Heritage: Black History Month at the Nolensville Farmers Market
This Saturday marks the final farmers market of Black History Month! As we gather at the Historic Nolensville School, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the complex history of this building and celebrate how it has evolved from a simultaneous example of both institutionalized racism and shared determination, into a place of cultural progression, and now a vibrant community hub. We do not want to shy away from shedding light on how our home base came to be, and we are proud to be a part of this continued transformation. We hope you can bask in our pride this Saturday and support our Black-owned and -operated businesses! Even though Black History Month is coming to a close, we feel lucky that we get to celebrate every week by proving to leaders of the past and present that working together really is so much better.
The Historic Nolensville School: A Unique Legacy
The restored school (source: Wikipedia)
The Historic Nolensville School, which now hosts our weekly farmers market, has a fascinating and complicated history. Built in 1937 using a Rosenwald School plan, it holds the distinction of being the "first modern educational building" in Nolensville. However, it was the only school built for white students in Tennessee that followed a Rosenwald School plan - a program primarily designed to improve educational opportunities for African American children across the South.
The Rosenwald School project, a partnership between Julius Rosenwald (a Jewish-American businessman who became president of Sears, Roebuck and Company) and Booker T. Washington (the renowned African American educator and Tuskegee Institute president), built over 5,000 schools primarily for African American students who faced severe educational discrimination and underfunding.
For 29 years, African American students in Nolensville were forced to forego the privilege of modern education in Nolensville. Although our building began as a segregated school for white students, it wasn't until 1966 that the school was finally integrated, allowing African American students to attend - just six years before it was converted to a recreation center in 1972.
source: Williamson County Source
Despite this darker aspect of its past, the school’s existence is a feat in and of itself. Thanks to a group of local mothers who lobbied the Williamson County School District to pay for the building, community members banded together during the post-depression era to fundraise for 3 years to raise enough money to buy the land it stands on today. Horse shows, bake sales, and donation drives showcase this community’s ability to come together for a central cause.
From School to Market: A Community Gathering Place
Today, the parking lot and gymnasium (added in 1948) that once served generations of students have transformed into our vibrant weekly market. When the Nolensville Historical Society fought to preserve this building in 2009, they recognized its importance not just as architecture but as a community touchstone. The gymnasium hosted plays and musical performances, boy and girl scout programs, and for 52 years it hosted the Nolensville Junior 4H fair which became the longest-running fair in Tennesee history! This preservation effort culminated in the building's listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Featured Vendors and Community Connections
This weekend, as we acknowledge the end of Black History Month, we invite you to come meet and support our Black-owned businesses!
Amethia Johnson, owner of Marshmallow Desert Cafe, will be selling her scrumptious goodies this weekend, and has a message to share. According to Amethia, “I’m here only because of the sacrifices made by those who came before me. My parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all played a huge role. In particular, I grew up watching my mother earn a master’s degree, start 3 successful business and raise 3 children at the same time! She did not let the odds against her stand in her way. Her mother and father (my grandparents) were the first black high school teachers to integrate in my home town after segregation ended. They were focused and against all odds became two of the most decorated and respected individuals among all races in my home town. They never complained about anything they went through. Instead, they encouraged my siblings and I to stand strong and move forward with God’s help. Because of them, I am a pharmacist who has started a business that aims to help people enjoy what they eat and use without worrying about dangerous chemicals in the products. I also teach others how food and herbs can heal.”
Amethia is currently promoting an upcoming event, find the details below!
Marshmallow Dessert Cafe and Catering March events! Find them at Oh My Chives. Reserve your seats now!
Here are the other vendors I’d like to highlight this week:
Katie from A.B. SeaMoss Distribution is here to support your immune, bone, and gut health, and to give you a natural boost of energy.
Shaneka from Fruitfully Dipped should be every sweet tooth-owner’s go-to! Her seasonal goodies are always delightful and perfectly on-theme.
Shea is our resident bao bun expert and good-time-haver. Claremont St. Bao will seriously knock your socks off. She does not mess around, believe me.
Tammi will be here to feed your belly and soul with the best Jamaican patties you will find in Tennesse. We’re so excited to have Kuyah back!!
Curtis from Georgia Pecan will satisfy your nostalgic pastry cravings in just one serving with his miniature pies (okay… maybe you will want two).
And last but not least, the man that needs no introduction because the sweet smell of his crispy salty-sweet kettle corn does it best, Kettle Classic’s very own Tyler Campbell!
Creating New Traditions
As young families shop at our market together, they're participating in a powerful continuation of community gathering in this historic space. The building that once segregated now unites. The gymnasium that once hosted separate school events now welcomes everyone to break bread together. This is what America is all about, coming together despite our differences, and working together to bridge divides. I love that I get to be a part of something so special and, dare I say, patriotic. I know our customers do too, so thank you all for your loyal patronage.
An Invitation
We invite you to visit this Saturday with your family and experience this unique intersection of history and community. Ask our vendors about their stories, notice the architectural features of the historic building, and consider how supporting local businesses helps strengthen the bonds that make Nolensville special.
The farmers market at the Historic Nolensville School represents our community's commitment to acknowledging our complex past while creating a more inclusive future—one fresh local purchase at a time.