Non-Profit Memphis Heritage, Inc. Organization 2282 Madison Avenue at U.S. Postage Paid Edgewood Memphis, TN Memphis, TN 38104 Permit No. 965

MEMPHIS HERITAGE KEYSTONE September - October 2015 | Vol. 18. Issue 5 INTERNSHIPS TO WORK ON NEW MEMPHIS HERITAGE PROJECTS Memphis Heritage is excited and fortunate to have two excellent interns who will be working with Memphis Heritage on development projects and continue learning about the history of the Memphis area. Some of the projects will include research dedicated to the MHI Historic Properties Map project, as well as looking into policies and practices concerning both deconstruction practices and the opportunity for a Preservation Trade School in the Mid South area. Lauren Crosby is a graduate student in City and Regional Planning at the University of Memphis. A Memphis native, she graduated from

Clemson University with a double major in Construction Science and Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone Business Management. After spending a summer in the U.K. working for an architectural firm, she came back home to Memphis with a keen interest in historic preservation and adaptive re-use. She has been working the past few months with City South Ventures on their Mrs Newman and the Don Newman revitalization project for the U.S. Marine Hospital in the French Fort Photography collection area at the south end of Downtown Memphis. - more inside Elizabeth McNeely is a senior history major at Rhodes College. COME SEE MEMPHIS how you can get involved with Elizabeth is from Roswell, GA. She chose Rhodes College for her Memphis Heritage. You can also undergraduate career not only because of its emphasis on the Liberal HERITAGE AT become a member and receive a Arts curriculum, but also for the numerous opportunities available by COOPER YOUNG !!! free annual calendar. living in the city of Memphis. She is particularly interested in public Memphis Heritage If you are interested in helping history and historic preservation. In fact, learning about the story of will host a booth us at Cooper Young email us at The Nineteenth Century Club on Union Avenue in a history course at the 28th Annual [email protected] sparked her interest in historic preservation of Memphis and the work Cooper Young or call 901.272.2727. of Memphis Heritage and it’s dedicated supporters and volunteers. Festival Elizabeth has also worked at other nonprofits, including Victorian INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Village Inc., and has enjoyed seeing various areas of the Memphis The annual festival is to be held community and their efforts towards establishing a sense of public Sat. Sept. 19th (rain date Sun Welcome Interns U of M & Rhodes Sept 20). Our booth will be on the Cooper Young Sept 19th history. While at Memphis Heritage, Elizabeth will work to develop the River Phoenix - Charlie Lambert organization’s archives and assist on further development projects. street to the right of the Beauty Save the date - Adapt-a-Door Shop Restaurant on Cooper just Mrs. Newman and Don Newman south of Young Ave. Volunteers Heard On The Streets ADAPT-A-DOOR 2015 - SAT. NOV 7 @ HOWARD HALL 7p.m. will help staff the booth that will Architecture Month - Sept TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WWW.MEMPHISHERITAGE.ORG be offering lots of cool info on Directors Roundup 2

RIVER PHOENIX by Charlie Lambert MEMPHIS HERITAGE KEYSTONE

The Keystone is a publication of Memphis Heritage, Inc.

Memphis Heritage’s mission is to educate and coordinate individuals and groups to save, improve, reuse, and maintain architecturally and historically significant buildings, neighborhoods, parks, and cultural artifacts of Shelby County

Memphis Heritage Keystone | September - October 2015 | Vol.18. Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone Our offices are at 2282 Madison Avenue. You can write to us or call us at 901-272-2727. Or visit our website at www.memphisheritage.org Executive Committee

Joey Hagan – President, AIA Marty Gorman – Past President AIA © 2015 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. Robert Paulus, Associate AIA – Vice President No, I am not referring to the into circulation as a tap product Hundreds of small, regional Aaron Chestnut – Treasurer young actor who died tragically available all over the city. breweries all across America John Griffin – Secretary young, but about the rise of two closed during that period Hal B. Howard, Jr. – Ex-Officio Member prominent Memphis memories Regarding the brewery, many as a result of television. The June Waddell West – Executive Director from the past. One is the long- years of effort to sell the classic nationwide hookup of the three Directors closed Tennessee Brewery fortress came to an end two major networks and their vast building on Tennessee St. years ago when the owners advertising capability doomed Antonio Raciti, Ben Rednour, Carol downtown, where construction decided to give up the ghost all but the largest brewers who DeForest, Chris Bird, Kris Whitson, Larry has already begun to restore this and demolish it to create a lot could distribute nationally and Chan, Leigh Gilliland, Melissa Pope structure into usefulness again for someone to build something. could afford to advertise their Perry Sponseller, Robert Tom Suzanne Henley, Will McGown as housing and retail space. The A group of young investors put products on TV. This sad reality other is the brand of beer most together a “farewell” party for the concluded the sale of Goldcrest MHI Staff prominently brewed there until old place in the form of a beer 51 and the other canned and June West - Executive Director 1954, Goldcrest 51, reputedly garden, music, and food venue bottled products. Nigel Price - Admin Asst. “The Best Beer You Ever Tasted”. pop-up in the summer of 2014. Publications/Website That, too, has been brought back That venture was so successful But there is more to this story. A Committee it was recreated in the summer man named Kenn Flemmons had Robert Tom Mark Parrish of 2015 by another group, this a strong interest in preserving Charlie Lambert Robert Lanier time one of them was the son the history of The Tennessee Nigel Price of the man who bought the Brewery and especially of the Ad Sales: Nigel Price building after the 2014 triumph, Goldcrest brand. He wrote a For advertising information con- Billy Orgel. The second “Revival” book devoted to this interest tact: Nigel Price, (901) 272-2727 of the brewery was equally and during his research he ran [email protected] successful and ended only across the widow of the last because construction was about brew master at the brewery. She Copyright © 2015 Memphis Heritage to commence to turn the vintage happened to have the recipe All rights reserved. property into apartments and for Goldcrest 51. She gave it to potential other retail outlets. Flemmons and he eventually That process is well under way. decided to try to make a batch of Phoenix number 1. it in 2014. I am not a beer drinker but was lucky enough to partake When the brewery closed in the in the first brewing of the new 1950’s, after half a century of Goldcrest 51. I must say it had a processing beer, near beer, soft different flavor than other beers. drinks (during the Prohibition It was smooth, full-bodied, and www.grahamslighting.com Era), it was not unique. tasty with just a (cont. on p.3) 3 ADVERTISE WITH US MEMPHIS HERITAGE Rates as low as $25 • Your target audience KEYSTONE Contact us for great rates ~ [email protected] or 901-272-2727 (cont. from p.2) slight kick after being swallowed. Because this recipe called for several weeks of aging, finding a place where the aging process could take place was a problem. Most of today’s brews do not require that step. Flemmons Thank you solved the problem by finding a venue in Alabama with a readily for remembering available aging facility. Memphis Heritage Keystone | September - October 2015 | Vol.18. Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone Goldcrest 51 is now available in Memphis Heritage liquor stores and grocery stores all over Memphis in the form of several-sized “growlers”. That is, in your will! the kegs are tapped for a bottle of beer and the bottle is sealed and taken home to drink. Some places © 2015 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. have tasting centers where small product famous and popular applies in the case above. The amounts can be drunk on the again. It was just announced lesson is never, ever give up on premises. This winter, Goldcrest will, that Goldcrest 51 will be sold anything that has any potential. Your legacy will after a 61 year hiatus, be available at the University of Memphis If the right people. Like Orgel in bottles and cans. Flemmons and games this fall at Liberty Bowl and Flemmons, come along the his small group of private investors Stadium. Everything old is new, chances of success are greatly help us continue have high hopes to make the again. That phrase certainly enhanced. (SAVE THE DATE) ADAPT-A-DOOR 2015 COMING SAT. NOV 7 our mission of be $50 for members and non members. We also want saving our past to thank our sponsors, a list of which will be published in the November/December for generations Keystone. Without our community's support we would not be able to host to come! this annual fundraising event.

For those who are not familiar with this unique 901-272-2727 event, MHI salvages doors www.memphisheritage.org and windows of all sorts Memphis Heritage is happy to of the fabulous adapted doors. from Memphis properties 2282 Madison Avenue announce its seventh annual Adapt- that are abandoned or set at Edgewood A-Door Auction and Party to be Tickets are $35 for MHI members; to be demolished. We also Memphis, TN 38104 held Saturday, November 7, from $50 for non-members. If you are not receive doors and other 7-10 PM at Howard Hall. The auction already a member of MHI, you may pieces of old buildings as and party is open to the public. The join and purchase at the member price gifts from time to time. admission price includes food by online at www.memphisheritage.org, Each year, in April we Slider Inn, Tart and Bardog Tavern, or by calling 901- 272-2727. Advance select representative doors along with beer and wine. Get a bid ticket purchase is suggested. Tickets from our archives and number and you too can bid on one purchased the night of the event will allow the public, including

We need your support. To renew your memberships or become a member of Memphis Heritage, please visit www.memphisheritage.org where you can renew or join securely using your credit card 4 artists, architects, designers, etc. to adopt one or more doors MRS NEWMAN AND and create anything they wish out of their door or window. THE DON NEWMAN Then on the first Saturday in PHOTOGRAPHY November, we have the Adapt- A-Door Party and Auction where COLLECTION the finished "door" creations by Charlie Lambert are displayed and up for bid. All proceeds benefit MHI to continue its non profit work. This event also recognizes the creators/ artists who enhance the doors into creative projects. Without their generous participation this event would not be possible. Past creations have included a negatives that were turned over school and they were married

Memphis Heritage Keystone | September - October 2015 | Vol.18. Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone headboard, a chaise lounge, desk, to MHI are the key to being able until his death in 1994. Over bars, tables, an electric guitar and to reproduce excellent copies the years, she was always in the case and other interesting items. of his original pieces in perfect background working with him, Don't delay, get your tickets at detail. running the office and caring www.memphisheritage.org for customers, over the years as I had an opportunity to visit he excavated scenes he wanted with Mrs. Newman and she to photograph. The equipment

Don Newman was a commercial photographer who was born in Memphis in 1919. He worked in his field over many decades and left behind a body of work that is unparalleled in scope and quality. Moving from product art to architecture in the 1940’s, Newman left behind a brilliant array of images of Memphis as it existed over 50 years ago. Fortunately, his widow, Bertha Newman, saw fit to turn over the rights to the collection to Memphis Heritage at the urging of William Chandler, past MHI president and June West, Executive Director of © 2015 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. Memphis, Heritage. The photos cheerfully shared her memories of the day included an 8x10 have since been organized and of her husband and his work. camera that weighed 25 pounds, archived thanks to support by She is a charming, lovely 95- a 75 pound tripod, film holders, student interns along with help year old whose looks and extra lens, and lighting, among from local photographer Gary memory defy any signs of lots of other equipment. Taking Walpole. The thousands of 8x10 age. She met Newman in high a picture of a (cont. on p.6)

1636 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 - Call (901) 276-6321 5 Community concern for the consequences of a complete closure of the bridge to automobiles for 9 months and truck traffic for 12 months obviously had its intended effect. Unfortunately, this puts the project another 12 months behind schedule, as TDOT says the study will take a year to complete. If they had done their job and commissioned the study before they went public with their plans, they could have saved residents on both sides of the river a lot of trouble. At least when the public spoke, they listened.

WE HOPE TO SEE a new approach to

the thorny issue of overflow parking Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone at the zoo after this fall’s election. There could be a lot of new faces By Gordon Alexander on City Council and perhaps even a WE COULDN’T BE MORE new mayor that may have a different PLEASED than to hear the historic approach to the problem than Hotel Chisca will welcome its offered by A.C. Wharton, who has first tenants into the Plaza, a given zoo management permission building constructed next to to use the Greensward for additional the hotel in 1961 as a motor parking until 2019. The practice court motel, and remodeled into is doing a significant amount apartments featuring four floors of damage to the once-pristine of eight units each. The hotel meadow that has been enjoyed firm archimania, will demolish Reservations required, Purchase itself, which will offer another for years by Memphians of all ages. the old French Quarter Inn Tickets Online at 129 rental units, is expected to There are two Facebook pages, Stop and transform the site into its www.aiamemphis.org be completed by the end of this Hurting Overton Park and Get Off new headquarters. The design year. A Lyfe Kitchen restaurant Our Lawn, which are devoted solely features an abundance of September 22: EP Hardhat Tour will open in a 3,700 sq. ft. space to applying pressure to both the glass as a way to bring space Series (2 of 3) Memphis Millwork this fall and another 5,000 sq. ft. zoo and the city to come up with a to the building and draw in Shop Tour restaurant is under discussion solution to this horrible desecration passersby. We say, welcome for the ground floor of the main of our beautiful park. You can show to the neighborhood, Ballet September 25: AIA Memphis building. Exciting news and your support by obtaining a “Save Memphis! Gallery - lunITECTS Fifth another reclamation project The Greensward” sign, placing in Anniversary Exhibit - Open to that proves the continued value on your front lawn and telling the ARCHITECTURE MONTH 2015 the public - Reservations not of historic architecture in our Memphis Zoo that the Greensward required. Cost: Free community. is NOT a parking lot. September is Architecture 6:00 - 8:00 pm | AIA Memphis Month in Memphis! The Gallery, 511 South Main WE THINK TDOT made the right WE ENVISION the proposed American Institute Of decision to do an economic development at the northeast Architects (Memphis Chapter) September 26: Architect’s Bike impact study on the long-term corner of Cooper and Madison as a - AIA are celebrating the Tour - Midtown Memphis - consequences of shutting down perfect complement to the Overton architecture of our city with a Open to the Public - Reservations the ”old” Mississippi River bridge Square Arts and Entertainment full slate of public and private required. Cost: Free during construction of a new District. Ballet Memphis, working events: 9:00 am | Departing from interchange and roundabout at with Memphis-based architectural Lindenwood Church I-55 and E.H. Crump Boulevard. September 8: EP Hardhat Tour Series (1 of 3) - (Open to AIA Memphis Emerging Professionals Only - Reservations required www. aiamemphis.org, Cost: Free)

September 17: Third Thursday Design Lecture. Green Onions - Culture & Kitchen Design in Mid-Century Memphis. Open to the Public, 6 (cont. from p.4) site or building was not an easy task, but Don just loved every aspect of it. He was devoted to the Memphis of the 1940’s. He had a feeling somewhere in his mind that the city, especially the downtown area/Main Street would not remain as it was. How right he was. worked constantly and steadily photographs in a variety of sizes. A recent innovation is the wall- When Newman began until 1990 when his health sized murals (applied directly working as an assistant to forced him to retire. His was a to the wall like wall paper) local photographer, George career full of love for the objects made from Newman’s work. The Haley, Bertha was working at he photographed. That devotion Crescent Club in East Memphis Kresses on Main Street (there to his art is reflected in the over has three walls. Collier Insurance were actually 2 Kress stores on 500 plus photographs he left us. Memphis Heritage Keystone | September - October 2015 | Vol.18. Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone and another local business have Main. She worked in the “big contracted for wall-sized prints. Kress” near Main and Gayoso). Memphis Heritage sells the Kress, like Woolworth and W.T. Grant, was a popular five and dime variety store with a lunch counter. Newman opened his own studio with a friend, Jack Fury, on Waldran where I-240 Midtown now stands. He later moved to Whitehaven. There he hired a Cuban refugee to help him. Newman had been a guitar player in a Mexican Band as a teen and he liked the idea of having someone in his employ who could help him learn more Spanish as he helped the Cuban employee with his English.

Don and his wife loved to travel, especially by train. Newman went © 2015 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. to train meets and to Mexico Don Newman captured architecture and everyday life in Memphis to ride their special gauge trains. Most of his photography work was done in the Memphis area, but he traveled to other locations to do site work and aerial shots for companies. He

© 2015 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. “Rocket Man” - Newman II Collection

Our Past is Your Present 901) 725-5625 www.staxmuseum.com © 2015 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. CONSIDER IT DONE! 7 The collections that are available Goldsmiths, the Gayoso Hotel, BJR are on line at - (Beasley-Jones-Ragland Men’s Store). www.NewmansMemphis.org “That’s my very favorite”, she said. I could not have been more pleased because it As I mentioned, the variety of happened to be my favorite as well. buildings, both still-standing and long-gone were the fodder of Newman’s interest. He was especially sad over the decision to tear down the old Union Train Station on Third St., according to Mrs. Newman. He took two impressive pictures of it before we lost it. He focused a lot of his attention on Main Street. The shots from different angles and © 2015 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. intersections will bring back so Memphis Heritage Keystone | September - October 2015 | Vol.18. Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone many memories for people who ELMWOOD EVENTS lived in Memphis at the time. He did churches, vehicles, businesses, Yellow Fever: A Tour of the Plague theatres, hotels, and so many other A Walking Tour of Elmwood Saturday, September 12, 10:30 AM This tour lasts 90 minutes, starts at 10:30 AM, and registration is required, call 774-3212. See more online at http://www.elmwoodcemetery.org/events/

Five Night Stand: A Novel A Read In Peace Book Club Selection & Meeting - Wednesday, September 16. Book club meetings are free and open to the public. Please email historian@elm- woodcemetery.org to save your seat or things. One must go to the website call 901-774-3212. to fully appreciate his work. I asked Mrs. Newman whether she Jimmy Ogle’s Elmwood: A Walking Tour has a favorite among his photos. Saturday, September 19, 10:30 AM She took me over to a display of Register online or call 901-774-3212. Newman’s work in her home and Admission is $15 per person. Register pointed out one of Main Street in online at: the late 40’s with movie marquees, http://www.elmwoodcemetery.org THE DIRECTORS ROUNDUP We have been staying busy at MHI old French Quarter Inn is located starting with the closing out of our and transformation into their new 2015 Architectural Auction in May, headquarters. our largest every two year fundraiser. Work continues on our new Impact Several cases in Environmental Court Statement that will be used as we are being monitored, Ashlar Hall on reach out for funding for the newly Central Ave and Aretha Franklin’s birth established New Century Fund. home on Lucy. We are thrilled to welcome two new MHI’s receivership of 975 Peabody Ave. interns this semester. Lauren Crosby (The Richards House) continues with from the University of Memphis, work being done by Rising Phoenix School of Urban Affairs and Public Development Group. Policy program and Elizabeth McNeely, a senior History major MHI hosted a community meeting from Rhodes College (see article to help update neighbors and on page 1). Once again MHI will stakeholders about the Memphis be hosting a booth at the Cooper Ballet’s purchase of the site where the Young Festival. Please stop by! 8 Information July 8, THANKS TO OUR GREAT through September 3, VOLUNTEERS 2015 HOWARD HALL GIFTS IN HONOR OF A special thanks to the following for helping to keep MHI beautiful: Andy Kitsinger and Sam Goff by William Murray Jerry Bradfield & Larry Harris ANNUAL OPERATING FUND John Dulaney, Mark Bieber, Robert Paulus, Amy Money Diane & Tom Long Pat Anderson KEYSTONE VOLUNTEERS NEW CENTURY FUND Charlie Lambert, Nigel Price, Mark Parrish, Robert Lanier Carrie Stetler, Robert Tom, Bill Crowder, Bob RENEWING MEMBERS Lanier, Gordon Alexander Steve Barton We need your support. To renew your memberships Ben Duke HONORARY MEMBERS OF or become a member of Memphis Heritage, please

Memphis Heritage Keystone | September - October 2015 | Vol.18. Issue: 5 Vol.18. | September - OctoberMemphis Heritage 2015 | Keystone Bill Boyd ‘THE PRESERVATION POSSE’ visit www.memphisheritage.org where you can Joseph Carson, Jen and Chip Clay renew or join securely using your credit card Margaret Craddock Featuring: Sally Damron, Alex Dann Carol DeForest, Barron Boyd, Suzanne Henley, Henry Doggrell Melissa Downing James Cole, Kimberly Richardson, Will McGown, David Early Alison England Amanda Higbie, Charlie Lambert, Larry Chan, Debbie and Jim Eubanks Beth Flanagan Melissa Pope, Gordon Alexander, Perry Sponsel- Christy Glazier lor, Amanda McGillvery, Mark Bieber, Tim Ward, Edward and Jane Hankins George Hardwick Cathy Marcinko, Amy Money, Ben Rednour, John Mary Love Himebrook Dr. and Mrs. James Johnson Dulaney, Frederick Toma, Robert Paulus, Mad- Gail Karr eleine Edwards, Tanya Howell, Lizi Beard-Ward, Kenneth & Kathleen Reardon Emily Levings Hazen Carrie Stetler, Bill Crowder, Ginny Taylor and Christopher Liberto Jim McCullough ‘Bear’ Logan & Simone Meeks Louise Mercuro Mitchel and Betty Spence Jim and Julie Powell Karen Ralston Roy Reed Edwin Robertson Robert Stalder Stan Hyland Garland Sullivan Johnny Taylor Nancy Toma Margaret Vandiver Nancy Walker Sandra White Kay Whittington Jake Williams NEW MEMBERS Don Newman was a native Memphian. Mary A. Clay Born in 1919. See more of Don Newmans Sean Hailey images of Memphis at: Vivian Arendall www.newmansmemphis.org MEMPHIS HERITAGE - COMING UP 2015 Date Event Time Where

September 19 Cooper Young Festival (rain date 21st) All day! Cooper/Young November 7 Memphis Heritage Adapt-A-Door Party and Auction Evening Howard Hall December Annual Memphis Heritage Christmas Party TBA! Howard Hall

We are Memphis’ only non-profit organization that works to preserve historic neighborhoods, buildings and landmarks in all of Memphis and Shelby County - let us all preserve the beauty and history that some people still take for granted. Thank you for supporting our efforts in giving Memphis’ past a future, we cannot do it without you, visit us at www.memphisheritage.org and www.newmansmemphis.org