The Tennessee Wars Commission and the Tennessee Historical Commission announced that applications for the Tennessee Civil War Sites Preservation Fund are now being accepted. The grant program, begun in 2013, is a key source of matching funding for the preservation of properties associated with the 38 most significant Civil War sites in Tennessee. Additionally, grants can assist in funding the acquisition and protection of Underground Railroad sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, or eligible for designation as a National Historic Landmark.
“Since its debut in 2013, over $1.5 million in grant funds from this program has helped save over 137 acres of battlefield properties in the state,” said Tennessee Wars Commission Director of Programs Tim Hyder. Last year, almost $700,000 in TCWSPF grants were used to preserve 17 acres of core battlefield associated with the battles of Fort Donelson, Brown’s Ferry, and Franklin.
Applicants must be a 501©3 non-profit, and only projects associated with the 38 most significant Civil War battlefields in the state -as defined by the National Park Service report- or Underground Railroad sites are eligible. After review, the applications will be scored, rated and ranked by staff members of the THC and TWC. The full Historical Commission will then have final voting approval of eligible grant projects. The grants will pay a 50 percent match and the grant recipient must provide the remaining 50 percent of the cost as matching funds from a non-state source.
This year, for the first time, the grant application process will be completely digital. Interested potential grantees can visit tdec.smartsimple.com to create an account and complete their grant application. This new online system will streamline the grant process and shorten processing times. Completed applications must be submitted by Oct. 1.
Questions about grant funding and applications can be directed to:
Timothy Hyder
Program Director, Tennessee Wars Commission
tim.hyder@tn.gov
(615) 770-1095
For more information about the Tennessee Wars Commission, visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/article/thc-tennessee-wars-commission or call (615) 770-1097.