Dr. Pethel's Public History class is discovering the scientific side of historic preservation as they visit the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Nashville City Cemetery. Carol Roberts is the director of the TSLA conservation lab which houses all records, newspapers, and documents relavent to Tennessee citizens, business, and government. Her assistant explained the evolution of photography, how to repair documents with Japanese Mulberry tissue paper, and how to remove acidity by giving paper a "water bath" with a mixture of magnesium bicarbonate. The TSLA is located next door to the Tennessee Supreme Court just below the State Capitol.

The Nashville City Cemetery is the city's oldest cemetery, first opened in 1820. It was in dire need of restoration and preservation after 40 years of neglect. The Nashville Cemetery Association was formed, led by Mrs. Fletch Coke (HH '51) and joined with the Metro HIstorical Commission to secure 3 million dollars in restoration funding. The project was completed last year and includes new signs, streetlights, paved walkways, repaired outer wall, restoration and special cleaning of headstones, replacement of headstones, and even a computer that helps you look up families buried in the cemetery. Many do not think of a cemetery as public history, but now we know how much work goes into preserving historic and sacred grounds. The Nashville City Cemetery is located behind the Adventure Science Center on 4th Avenue.