One year it was scenic highways. Another year it was litter.

This year, for its 16th annual photo contest, Scenic Tennessee is focusing on historic preservation. Joining the group as cosponsor is the Tennessee Preservation Trust, a longtime ally of Scenic Tennessee. Together the groups are hoping to celebrate “the scenic character of Tennessee’s historic places” while possibly discovering still-unknown historic resources deserving of public attention.

According to contest coordinator Marge Davis, this year’s event has three objectives: to celebrate Tennessee’s historical richness; to show the extent to which historic sites add depth and meaning to the state’s scenic beauty; and to honor the preservation ethic and its role in safeguarding our historic, cultural and scenic heritage.

Suggested subjects include historic buildings such as the Friends Church in Maryville or the Ryman in Nashville; neighborhoods or districts such as Annesdale-Snowden in Memphis or Cades Cove in the Smokies; historic towns such as Jonesborough or Rugby; historic commercial or industrial sites such as the Shelbyville Railroad Station or the Harms Mill hydroelectric station in Fayetteville; and archeological sites such as the Pinson Indian Mounds in Henderson County or the Red Clay Cherokee Indian settlement near Cleveland.

Davis emphasized that a site need not be already acknowledged as historic in order to be a fitting subject for the contest. In fact, according to preservation expert Patrick McIntyre, one of the key goals of the contest is to “bring the public’s attention to imperiled historic places” that are deserving of protection. As former executive director of the Tennessee Preservation Trust who now heads the Tennessee Historical Commission, McIntyre helped launched the Trust’s annual “Ten in Tennessee” list of endangered historic sites. Thanks to heightened public awareness, he said, almost all of the sites named to the list are still with us.

“I see this photo contest as an additional opportunity for Tennesseans to recognize that each neighborhood or community has unique, important historic places,” said McIntyre. “While [they] may not be famous, publicly accessible, fully restored or officially protected, they represent the treasured landmarks of a locale.”

In addition to McIntyre, the contest will be judged by Susan Whitaker, Commissioner of Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development; and Joy McKenzie, chair of the photography department at Watkins College of Art & Design in Nashville. Cash prizes will be awarded in three student categories (grades 5-8, grades 9-12 and college/technical school), with Borders gift cards for the leading adult amateur and adult professional contestants.

Submissions (print or digital, up to three per person) must be postmarked or e-mailed by May 15. For guidelines, visit www.scenictennessee.org or call Davis at (615) 758-8647.