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The East Tennessee Development District and First Tennessee Development District have been awarded grants from the Tennessee Historical Commission.
The ETDD received a $40,000 grant for funding a preservation specialist staff position and the First Tennessee Development District received $35,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position.
The two districts grants were among 37 matching grants totaling over $1.1 million awarded by the Tennessee Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office from the Federal Historic Preservation Fund to non-profits, municipalities, universities, and civic organizations across the state to support the preservation of historic and archaeological resources. “Our Federal Historic Preservation Fund grant program is one of the main ways that the Tennessee Historical Commission makes meaningful contributions to the protection and study of our state’s treasured historic places,” said Patrick McIntyre, State Historic Preservation Officer and Executive Director. 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. Several projects this year will restore character defining historic windows. From the beautiful stained-glass windows of the Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ to courthouse windows in Perry and Cannon counties, the restoration of these important features is commended and encouraged through this grant program. Other grants will assist in funding preservation planners in seven of the state’s development districts, in facilitating archaeological surveys, and helping obtain design guidelines for historic districts. Several other grants are for the rehabilitation of historic buildings, for posters highlighting the state’s archaeology, and training for historic zoning staff or commissioners. One of the agency’s grant priorities is for projects that are in Certified Local Governments, a program that allows the 50 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 each CLG community that applied was funded including a grant to the Metro Historical Commission in Nashville to complete a countywide historic cemetery survey. Additional grants will fund preservation projects in Chattanooga, Franklin, and Bell Buckle.
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. Applications for the next round of grants will open in December 2023.