From 1953 through 1967, Nashville's Centennial Park hosted a Nativity scene so grand, it stretched the length of the Parthenon, captivating visitors from all fifty states and many foreign countries, earning its place as the largest in the world at the time. Behind this beloved holiday tradition were three remarkable men: Fred Harvey Sr., "the Ringling Brothers of retail" who envisioned and donated the scene; George Silvestri Jr., an entrepreneur with boundless creativity who produced it; and Guido Rebechini, the master sculptor who brought the figures to life. These men created a community experience that enriched, even defined the Christmas season for over a million people.

Once Upon a Nashville Night is the story of how this extraordinary display came to be and the lasting impact it had on those who experienced its magic. Themes of business development, European immigrant entrepreneurs and artists, Christian symbols in popular culture, and the assumed unity of earlier, simpler days offer an overview of changing times in mid-century America.

Those who remember the Nativity scene will delight in the memories evoked, and everyone will more fully understand the ways that cultural, religious, and consumer life were briefly joined in mid-century Nashville, as they often were throughout the South. Mr. Harvey's Nativity scene was a stunning artistic achievement, and the gift to the city was not only an unparalleled gesture of generosity but also a symbol of a place and time in Nashville's history.