This is the story of Nashville Tent & Awning… how it began and where it is today. To find out more about our history click on each year below.

1884
Democrat Grover Cleveland is elected president and a company named Southern Canvas was started and served the Nashville area, selling tarpaulins, tents, and awnings.

1914 -- Click here for larger photo!
The rest of the world is at war; the United States is at peace. Harry G. Husband looks to Chicago, New Orleans, and Nashville for potential tent companies to purchase and decides to settle in Nashville along with his wife, 2 daughters, and 3 sons. He purchases Southern Canvas and shortly thereafter renamed it Nashville Tent & Awning Company.

1923 -- Click here for larger photo!
While U.S. Steel is making the headlines with the implementation of the 8-hour work day (a victory for labor), Nashville Tent & Awning is making a name for itself in its downtown 1st Avenue South location near Fort Nashboro.

1932 -- Click here for larger photo!
Kodak introduces 8 mm film for home movies and Mickey Mouse is a favorite comic strip. The Nashville Tent & Awning business is thriving and the family continues to grow - shown here lounging on a summer week end day with a company awning truck.

1954
Harry G. Husband, Nashville Tent & Awning founder dies and the 2nd generation, Tom Husband, Harry (Hussie) Husband, Jack Husband, and Ross Arnold (husband to Dorothy Husband Arnold) become partners in the growing Nashville Tent and Awning Company.

1960-87 -- Click here for larger photo!
One-by-one the third generation, Woodie Husband, Hunter Husband, Mac Husband, Phil Husband, and Wayland Arnold come on board to join their grandfather's dream and hard work. Work ethic was strong and the company flourished.

1988 -- Click here for larger photo!
The reigns turn over as the 3rd generation comes of age to take the company to a new level. Never forgetting where they came from and the work ethic that had gotten them to this place, they restored the historical Phillips & Barnoff building and moved the company to this expanded 98,000 sq.ft. space to prepare the company for a growing Nashville.

1988-99
Backlit awnings and signs become a business "must have"… tent rental booms along with the growth of Nashville…a truly beautiful home is not a home unless it boasts an awning from Nashville Tent & Awning….aggressive tent manufacturing leads to more tent sales… and custom covers are made to satisfy.

2000 -- Click here for larger photo!
Today and the future hold many promises for this company and the people employed by Nashville Tent & Awning. Many have been with the company 30 or more years. It's the people and the work ethic that have kept the company going for over 100 years. Our customers are part of this family too and we hope to be serving those same customers well into the new millenium.