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Board backs proposal to seek historical marker honoring puppeteer Tom Tishner
Summary
Wishing Chair Productions and library staff asked the board to support a proposal to nominate Thomas (Tom) Tishner for an official historical marker; the board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation and authorized the group to proceed with the application to the Metropolitan Historical Commission.
Wishing Chair Productions presented a multi-part proposal asking the Nashville Public Library Board to back a nomination of Thomas (Tom) Tishner for an official historical marker through the Metropolitan Historical Commission. The board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation.
Why it matters: Tom Tishner founded the library’s puppetry program and the board and foundation described his work as a significant part of the library’s cultural legacy. The board’s endorsement is the administrative step needed so proponents can finalize and submit the marker materials to the historical commission.
Wishing Chair Productions production manager Brett Wilson and library staff outlined the proposal’s four components: a letter of significance documenting Tishner’s work; a summarized plaque text and likeness; a suggested public location near Seventh and Church Street by the former main-library site of many performances; and a letter recognizing the availability of funds from the library foundation to cover marker costs.
Wishing Chair also shared recent programming milestones: a re-recorded production of The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings that has drawn more than 1,000 patrons in eight of 12 performances and newly created commemorative marionettes to be displayed outside the Children’s Theater.
A board member moved to accept the group’s recommendation and the motion was seconded. The board voted "Aye" with no opposition recorded in the transcript.
The motion asks staff and proponents to proceed with the formal submission to the Metropolitan Historical Commission; the proponents provided sample text and pledged foundation funding to cover marker costs.
