Governor Haslam Announces 36 Historic Preservation Fund Grants

  • Thursday, May 7, 2015

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Historical Commission announced 36 Historic Preservation Fund grants were awarded to community and civic organizations for projects that support the preservation of historic and archaeological resources. 

Awarded annually, 60 percent of the project funds are from the federal Historic Preservation Fund and 40 percent of project funds come from the grantee.  

“These grants contribute to the study and protection of a wide range of Tennessee’s treasured historic places-buildings, archaeological sites and communities," said State Historic Preservation Officer and Executive Director of the Tennessee Historical Commission. Patrick McIntyre.  "These places help make our state unique and contribute to our quality of life." 

Grants are competitive and this year the Tennessee Historical Commission staff reviewed 67 applications with funding requests totaling approximately $1.5 million, nearly double the amount of funding available. This year’s selection included building and archaeological surveys, design guidelines for historic districts, rehabilitation of historic buildings, posters highlighting the state’s history and archaeology and training for historic zoning staff or commissioners. 

One of the grant priorities is for projects that are in Certified Local Governments, a program that allows communities to participate closely in the federal program of historic preservation. Eleven Certified Local Government communities were awarded grants this year. Additional priorities include areas experiencing rapid growth and development, other threats to cultural resources, areas where there are gaps in knowledge regarding cultural resources, and the restoration of the state’s historic buildings that are owned by civic or non-profit organizations.  Properties that use the restoration grants must be listed in the National Register. 

“Protecting Tennessee’s historic places is critical to preserving our state’s heritage,” Governor Haslam said. “Today’s announcement of more than $700,000 in assistance to communities across the state helps ensure that Tennessee’s rich history will continue to be shared with future generations.” 

The grant recipients and/or sites of the projects include: 

Bedford County:

Shelbyville Historic Zoning Commission - $1,000 for one commissioner or staff to attend training at the National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s Forum.


Campbell County:

Campbell County - $24,000 to fund a survey of historic resources in the county.


Carter County:

Tennessee State Parks - $15,000 to fund the restoration of the foundation at the Miller Farm in Roan Mountain State Park.


Davidson County:

Metropolitan Historical Commission - $30,000 to fund a master plan for Two Rivers Mansion.
Metropolitan Historical Commission - $5,000 for five commissioners or staff to attend training at the National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s Forum.
Middle Tennessee State University, Department of History, Public History Program - $12,181 to fund a geophysical survey of Clover Bottom Mansion property in Nashville.


Fayette County:

Town of LaGrange - $6,600 to fund the restoration of the porch on the LaGrange Civic Center, part of the LaGrange Historic District.


Hardin County:

City of Savannah, Historic Zoning Commission - $10,800 to fund design guidelines for local historic districts.


Jackson County:

Town of Gainesboro - $6,000 to fund foundation restoration on the E.O. Smith House, part of the Gainesboro Residential Historic District.


Knox County:

Knoxville-Knox County Metro Planning Commission - $21,000 to fund a survey and digitization of 20th century buildings in the county.


Maury County:

Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, Maury County Chapter - $15,000 to fund restoration work at the Athenaeum.


McMinn County:

City of Etowah - $20,000 to fund restoration of windows on the Etowah Carnegie Library building.


Overton County:

Livingston Civic and Garden Club - $6,000 to fund the porch restoration on the Gov. A.H. Roberts Law Office.


Pickett County:

East Tennessee State University - $15,000 to fund a survey of prehistoric archaeological sites in Pickett State Forest.


Rutherford County:

Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Sociology and Anthropology - $25,000 to fund survey and investigations of prehistoric sites in southwest Rutherford County.


Shelby County:

City of Memphis, Memphis Landmarks Commission - $6,000 for six commissioners or staff to attend training at the National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s Forum.


Sumner County:

City of Gallatin, Planning Department – $1,000 for one commissioner or staff to attend training at the National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s Forum.
Bledsoe’s Lick Historical Association - $7,800 to fund dendrochronology studies at Wynnewood, a state-owned historic site.


Unicoi County:

Tennessee Division of Archaeology - $12,000 to fund remote sensing for the Flint Creek Battle Site at Rocky Fort State Park.


Washington County:

Town of Jonesborough - $24,000 to fund a survey and nomination for local and National Register districts.
Town of Jonesborough - $2,000 for two commissioners or staff to attend training at the National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s Forum.


Williamson County:

Hiram Lodge Preservation, Inc. - $10,000 to fund  restoration of the Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7.


Multi-County Grants:



Tennessee Preservation Trust - $20,000 to fund the 2015 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference and to and to provide preservation education materials that can be used in the state.
Tennessee History for Kids - $10,000 to fund posters for Tennessee schools and libraries, highlighting historic preservation in Tennessee. 
Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Sociology and Anthropology - $3,410 to fund posters for Tennessee Archaeology Week.
Middle Tennessee State University, Fullerton Laboratory for Spatial Technology - $40,000 to digitize data for historic / architectural survey files and for survey data entry for computerization of survey files.
Tennessee Division of Archaeology - $10,564 to fund a continuation of a survey of Rosenwald schools and school sites.
East Tennessee Development District - $36,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the East Tennessee Development District.
First Tennessee Development District - $25,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the First Tennessee Development District. 
Greater Nashville Regional Council - $25,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Greater Nashville Regional Council.
Memphis Area Association of Governments - $32,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Memphis Area Association of Governments.
Northwest Tennessee Development District - $36,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Northwest Tennessee Development District.
South Central Tennessee Development District - $50,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the South Central Tennessee Development District.
Southeast Tennessee Development District - $54,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Southeast Tennessee Development District.
Southwest Tennessee Development District - $54,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Southwest Tennessee Development District.
Upper Cumberland Development District - $50,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Upper Cumberland Development District.


For more information about the Tennessee Historical Commission, please visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/history/.

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