Since 1980, Whitehall has been a staple in Nashville. It’s a small community nestled off West End Avenue, and its unique character attracts owners from near and far.
One of those owners is Nancy Peterson-Hearn, a Nashville native who, after 41 years of living here, calls her Whitehall home her piece of “heaven on earth.”
Despite the changes and the growth Nashville has faced, Peterson-Hearn still enjoys living here.
“I was born here, and I’m still here,” she said. “It’s the best place in the world, I think, to grow up and to continue to live.”
Peterson-Hearn has lived in Whitehall since April 1983 and is the only original unit owner remaining in the community. She has also served several stints on the homeowners association (HOA) Board and is a current Board member.
“When you love where you live, you want to make sure things are done right, and being a businesswoman, I wanted to have a part and a say,” Peterson-Hearn said.
Being one of the first owners in Whitehall, Peterson-Hearn not only takes great pride in maintaining community standards so that Whitehall retains its charm, but she also has the unique perspective of living there since Ghertner & Company began managing the HOA in the fall of 1991.
Ghertner & Company founder Frank Ghertner was the first Community Association Manager, followed by his son, Scott Ghertner, who is now the company president.
Frank’s honesty and integrity, Peterson-Hearn said, is what set Ghertner & Company apart in the community.
“He was a gentleman,” Peterson-Hearn said. “And what he said, he did.”
The current Whitehall Community Association Manager, Dr. Angela Stone, appreciates the Board and community’s commitment to keeping the community as close as possible to its original look and feel.
“Everything that was magical about it when it was built, the standards are still kept up,” Stone said. “They’re very meticulous in making sure that even the slightest design changes don’t alter the original meaning of the property.”
Outside of her love for Whitehall, Peterson-Hearn also boasts a long professional career and has spent many years giving back to the Nashville community she loves.
After her husband John L. Peterson's death in 1979, she took over Peterson Tool Company, which her husband started in 1958.
It was a challenging transition, but Peterson-Hearn credits her success to the skills she developed as a housewife and mom to six children.
“If you run a household, you’re running a business,” she said. “There’s so many things that you learn, and you can’t spend more than you’ve got coming in.” Peterson Tool Company merged with GWS Tool Group in 2022.
Peterson-Hearn’s non-profit fundraising efforts have benefited several organizations, including Cheekwood, Saint Cecilia Academy and the Centennial Park Conservancy.
As a Board Emeritus member of the Conservancy, Peterson-Hearn has helped fundraise for the Capital Campaign, revitalization and maintenance efforts and to fund programs like Kidsville and Musicians Corner, Nashville's only free music venue.
“I love that space,” she said of Centennial Park. “We’re losing our green space in Nashville. It’s all glass and rocks and buildings and pavements and streets, and it’s sad.”
Despite Nashville's changing landscape, Whitehall HOA remains a haven for residents who cherish its character; with Peterson-Hearn's continued dedication and the Board's commitment to preserving its charm, Whitehall is poised to continue offering its unique brand of community for years to come.