Tennessee Historical Commission Announces Federal Historic Preservation Grants

The Tennessee Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, has awarded 28 matching grants totaling over $1.1 million from the Federal Historic Preservation Fund to non-profits, local governments, universities, and civic organizations across the state to support the preservation of historic and archaeological resources.

"We are pleased to be able to provide Historic Preservation Fund grants that will help document and restore the important places that make our state so unique. The Federal Historic Preservation Fund grant program allows the Tennessee Historical Commission to make tangible progress in the preservation and study of our state's treasured historic places," said Miranda Montgomery, State Historic Preservation Office and Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Historical Commission. The Federal Historic Preservation Fund reimburses 60 percent of the project costs with a 40 percent match of project funds from the grantee.

This year's grant awards include a wide variety of historic and architectural projects, all listed below. Some projects this year continue previous projects, such as the stained-glass window restoration at the Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ in Nashville. Other grants will assist in funding preservation planners in seven of the state's development districts.

One of the agency's grant priorities is for projects that are in Certified Local Governments, a program that allows the 51 enrolled communities to participate closely in the federal program of historic preservation. Certified Local Government communities are highly encouraged to apply, and for this round five CLG communities received funding, including a grant to the City of Dandridge for roof and masonry restoration at the Hickman Tavern and Hickman Tavern Coach House in Jefferson County.

Additional priorities include those that meet the goals and objectives of the Tennessee Historical Commission's plan for historic preservation. Properties that use the grant funds for restoration projects must be listed in the National Register.

The next Federal Historic Preservation Fund grant cycle will open in January 2027. A complete list of grant recipients and/or National Register listed sites of the projects include:

Davidson County

• Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art: $23,200 to fund Phase III Window Restoration Project
• Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County: $51,600 for architectural survey of North Nashville, South Nashville, and Southeast Nashville
• Preserve Lindsley Avenue Now: $46,800 for stained glass window restoration at the Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ

Crockett County

• Central High Alumni & Associates: $36,000 for window restoration at Central High School

Hamilton County

• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: $75,500 for underwater survey and archaeology of the Tennessee River in Hamilton County

Jefferson County

• Town of Dandridge: $66,000 for roof and masonry restoration at the Hickman Tavern and Hickman Tavern Coach House

Knox County

• Knoxville-Knox County Planning: $30,000 for the preparation of a historic context for East Knoxville

Loudon County

• City of Loudon: $36,000 for the preparation of updated historic design review guidelines

Maury County

• African American Heritage Society of Maury County: $9,000 for foundation restoration of the Mrs. A.J. Morton & Son Funeral Home
• Maury County Government: $60,000 for roof restoration of the War Memorial Building

Morgan County

• Frozen Head State Park: $7,200 to prepare a National Register nomination for the Stonecipher-Kelly House

Obion County

• Obion County Government: $60,000 for restoration of the Obion County Courthouse

Overton County

• Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce: $15,000 for foundation repairs to the Governor A.H. Roberts Law Office
• Overton County Government: $30,000 for foundation repairs to the Overton County Courthouse

Polk County

• Polk County Government: $60,000 for the restoration of the Polk County Courthouse

Putnam County

• City of Algood: $18,000 for floor restoration at White Plains

Rutherford County

• Middle Tennessee State University: $39,500 to prepare a National Register nomination for the Castalian Springs Mound Site

Sevier County

• Town of Pittman Center: $66,000 for the restoration of the Community Center Home Economics Building (now Pittman Center Town Hall)

Shelby County

• Elmwood Cemetery of Memphis Foundation, Inc.: $24,500 for exterior restoration of the Elmwood Cemetery Cottage
• Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning and Development: $12,450 for a Community Education and Outreach Program

Warren County

• First Presbyterian Church-McMinnville: $40,292 for the roof restoration of the First Presbyterian Church

Multi-County Grants

• East Tennessee Development District - $60,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the East Tennessee Development District
• First Tennessee Development District - $43,500 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the First Tennessee Development District
• Northwest Tennessee Development District - $39,000 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 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 - $40,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Southwest Tennessee Development District
• Upper Cumberland Development District - $40,000 to fund preservation specialist staff position for the Upper Cumberland Development District