posted May 6, 2008
Governor Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee Historical Commission have announced grants to 22 community organizations for programs and activities that support the preservation of historic and archeological sites, districts and structures.
"This program helps fund the important work of local governments, non-profit groups and others to preserve historic places that are a special part of our state’s heritage," said Governor Phil Bredesen. "These projects represent a total of $521,800 in assistance that we are pleased to be able to provide."
The grants awarded come from federal funds allocated by the Department of Interior under the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act. The programs authorized by this Act are administered by the Tennessee Historical Commission.
"Historic sites are valued centerpieces of our communities. Through these diverse grants, our office helps support the study of our state's unique history and contributes funds to help protect and revitalize Tennessee's treasured historic buildings, sites and neighborhoods," said Patrick McIntyre, executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission.
The types of programs and activities authorized and assisted under the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act include nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places, reviewing federal projects to avoid adverse effects to historic properties, administering Historic Preservation investment tax credits, and assisting preservation programs of local governments and helping them achieve certified status. The Historical Commission carries out these programs both directly and through the provision of grant support to third party applicants.
The grant recipients and/or sites of the projects include:
In Anderson County:
* Coal Creek Watershed Foundation - $20,000 to continue restoration of Briceville Community Church.
In Bedford County:
* Shelbyville Historic Zoning Commission- $2,900 to subsidize travel costs for zoning commissioners and staff to attend the National Alliance of Preservation Commission meeting in July for professional training and development.
In Fentress County:
* East Tennessee State University Department of Sociology and Anthropology - $15,000 to conduct an archaeological survey, testing and assessment of the Pogue River Gorge State Natural Area and Forest.
In Jackson County:
* Gainesboro Historic District Commission - $7,000 to continue the preservation plan for Gainesboro, including the survey and inventory of structures within the town and nearby areas.
In Knox County:
* Airplane Filling Station Preservation Association - $9,000 to restore the Airplane Filling Station.
* University of Tennessee Department of Anthropology - $11,000 to conduct an archaeological survey of the French Broad River Conservation Corridor, a 20-mile portion of the lower French Broad River valley.
In McMinn County:
* McMinn County and Southeast Tennessee Development District - $12,000 to complete a historic and architectural survey of McMinn County.
In Obion County:
* Westover Center for the Arts - $20,000 to continue the restoration of the Westover School for use as a community arts center, including the installation of a new electrical system.
In Putnam County:
* Tennessee Technological University -$15,000 to enter historic property survey in a database.
In Rhea County:
* Rhea County - $35,000 to renovate and restore the Rhea County Courthouse.
In Rutherford County:
* Middle Tennessee State University Department of Geography - $20,000 to enter historic site survey data in a GIS database.
* Middle Tennessee State University Department of Sociology and Anthropology - $4,000 to prepare and to print 1,500 posters that will be distributed to schools, libraries and other venues for Archaeology Awareness Week.
In Shelby County:
* Memphis Division of Planning and Development - $42,500 to continue a historic and architectural survey of Memphis.
* Memphis Division of Planning and Development - $6,000 to subsidize the costs of sponsoring and hosting a Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program session for Memphis and West Tennessee in the spring of 2009.
* Memphis Division of Planning and Development - $2,900 to subsidize travel costs for commission members and staff to attend the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions meeting in July for professional training and development.
In Sullivan County:
* City of Bristol - $7,000 to nominate the Fairmont neighborhood as a historic district to the National Register of Historic Places.
In Williamson County:
* Fairview Historical Preservation Commission – $20,000 to restore the Triangle School.
* City of Franklin - $4,000 to subsidize the costs of sponsoring and hosting a Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program session for Middle Tennessee in the fall of 2008.
Multi-County Grants:
* Tennessee Preservation Trust - $15,000 to conduct preservation workshops held in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Nashville in 2009.
* South Central Tennessee Development District - $45,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the South Central Tennessee Development District.
* East Tennessee Development District-$34,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the East Tennessee Development District.
* Greater Nashville Regional Council –$25,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Greater Nashville Regional Council.
* Southeast Tennessee Development District - $49,500 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Southeast Tennessee Development District.
* Southwest Tennessee Development District - $50,000 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 //tn.gov/environment/hist
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