Nancy VanReece’s Comments at The Roots Barn “Barn Raising Ceremony” on August 5, 2021

My friend Sam Davison recently said, “ A team is a group of people with a common goal, A community is a group of people with a common purpose.” I am happy to be on a team with a shared purpose.

I want to offer some history and some acknowledgments this morning.

These acknowledgments recognize that when we use the language of history, we are not only speaking of our past but also to the relevance of our present time and future conditions.

The Roots Barn acknowledges that the land we are on today is the ancestral territory and vibrant hunting ground of the Cherokee and Shawnee tribal nations. We recognize and respect Indigenous People as the traditional stewards of this land, and continue today to contribute to the life of this city. We honor their stories – told and untold - and the people of the past, present, and future who have greatly contributed to this land's sacredness. We also must take a moment to recognize the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory.

Originally chartered as Madison Station, Tennessee, the community in northeastern Davidson County is now a suburb of Nashville. But Madison, TN, has a rich and fascinating history of her own.

By 1830, three stagecoach lines were running out of town along Haysboro Road (now Gallatin Pike). As the town grew, the Thomas Stratton family would have a son Madison, who, at age 21, would continue to expand his landholdings and become a leader in the community. Madison Stratton sold a portion of his land so that the state could build a railway line connecting Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee. The station was built and was named Madison Station in honor of Madison Stratton; the station later became known as Amqui Station.

We also acknowledge the painful history experienced by Black people in our community and their significant contributions on and around this land. In particular, we recognize the humanity of enslaved Black people who built our city’s economy.

Additionally, as we stand in close proximity to the rail lines, we honor the Black people who built the L&N Railroad. Lastly, though we are not on the original campus for Amqui Station, we stand with the original building and must acknowledge the many Black soldiers who fought for our country in WWII yet were not able to enter the front door of the train station.

Next May 21st will be the 165th Anniversary of the charter of the post office called "Madison Station" (1857)

In Dr. Guy Bockmon's book, using the 1880 census, Madison is described as: "a community of farmers, laborers, people 'At Home' and 'Keeping House,' youngsters who were 'At School,' a few tradesmen, a handful of professional people, a couple of 'Hucksters,' three fishermen, one steamboat pilot and one banjo player."

The population share of African Americans in Madison increased from 18 percent in 2000 to 30 percent in 2010. The Hispanic Latino population also saw an increase in its share of the population, rising from 5 percent in 2000 to 13 percent in 2010. We look forward to the new 2020 numbers. This rich diversity thrives in a creative community.

We acknowledge, that an act of recognition is not enough to overcome the history that has erased and displaced those who originally built and occupied this land. We are committed to the ongoing sharing of the accurate history of this land, of this community, and of all roots music.

As a result, you will experience a full spectrum of roots music at The Roots Barn that will encompass the drumbeat of the Indigenous communities, the strumming of the banjo that originated on the continent of Africa, and the beautiful, celebratory stringed instruments of Latin communities.

We also want to acknowledge the current vibrant Spanish-speaking community and culture here in Madison.

También nos gustaría reconocer la vibrante comunidad y cultura de hispanohablantes aquí en Madison.

It is with great intention to ensure that The Roots Barn will be home to roots music, no matter what your roots are.

It is with great intention to ensure that The Roots Barn will be home to roots music, no matter what your roots are.

I would like to give AT&T recognition for their generosity toward FiftyForward and Discover Madison, Inc - without their understanding of this project’s benefit to the public, we would not be here today.

Thank you, Albert Bender from the American Indian Coalition for guidance in the land acknowledgment

Historians, nonprofit and business partners include

Studio Bank
Historian, Bridgett Jones from the TN State Museum and the Belle Meade Plantation
The volunteer Boards of Discover Madison/ Amqui Station and FiftyForward
FINN Public relations and
Kia Jarmon of MEPR

Also our current and growing additional community partners;

The Madison & Rivergate Area Chamber, The LGBT Chamber, The Nash Chamber, The Nash Conv & Visitors Corp, and the Arts & Biz Council
Madison Station Blvd is on the same schedule for Phase One to be complete this Spring up to The Firehall and the rest of the way to OHB buy next Summer. Thank you NDOT for the sneak peek at the new road this morning!

Three mayors in the last 6 years have shared in the vision of the Madison Renaissance and I am so very happy that Mayor John Cooper is here today to realize that legacy.

Friends, please welcome, Mayor John Cooper. …

Nancy VanReece

Raising the Roots