Governor Haslam Announces 28 Historic Preservation Fund Grants

Thursday, July 28, 2011 | 05:54am
Grants to community organizations support preservation of historic and archaeological sites, districts and structures
 
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Historical Commission announced today Historic Preservation Fund grants for 28 community organizations for programs and activities that support the preservation of historic and archaeological sites, districts and structures.
 
“Historic places are a vital part of our state’s heritage, and this program helps fund the work of local governments, non-profit agencies and other entities committed to protecting important elements of Tennessee’s rich history,” Haslam said. “Collectively, these 28 projects represent more than $600,000 in assistance and will ensure these special places are available to enjoy for generations to come.”  
 
The grants awarded come from federal funds allocated by the Department of Interior under the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act. The programs in Tennessee authorized by this Act are administered by the Tennessee Historical Commission. The grants pay for up to 60 percent of the costs of approved project work and the grant recipient must provide the remaining 40 percent of the costs as matching funds.  
 
"As valued centerpieces of our communities, historic sites not only define the state’s diverse history – they also enrich our state's economy. Our office helps support the study of Tennessee’s unique history and these grants will contribute the necessary funds that help protect and revitalize our treasured historic buildings, sites and neighborhoods," said Patrick McIntyre, executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission.  
 
This year’s selection process emphasized projects conducting architectural, archaeological and historic site surveys. Such projects are designed to identify and to record historic districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects built before 1960 that are significant to Tennessee's history. Surveys could be for a specific geographic area or for sites associated with themes or events significant in the state's history. Priorities for funding survey projects included areas experiencing rapid growth and development, other threats to cultural resources, areas where there are serious gaps in knowledge regarding cultural resources, and thematic surveys based upon existing historic study units produced by the State Historic Preservation Office.
 
Assistance also was made available for other types of historic preservation projects, including preservation planning studies for towns, neighborhoods and historic districts; the preparation of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places; planning or pre-development work necessary to undertake restoration of a historic property; and restoration of historic properties. For restoration or restoration pre-planning, properties must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  
 
The FY 2011-2012 grant recipients and/or sites of the projects include:
 
In Carroll County:
  • City of McKenzie - $9,000 to fund an architectural and historic survey of the city of McKenzie.  
In Claiborne County:  
  • Claiborne County Historical and Genealogical Society - $10,000 for the exterior restoration and repair of the Historic Claiborne County Jail. 
In Davidson County: 
  • University of Tennessee Department of Anthropology - $17,984 to continue funding an archaeological survey of the Bells Bend area, along the Cumberland River.  
  • Inglewood Neighborhood Association - $9,000 to fund a survey and prepare nominations for historic districts in East Nashville’s Inglewood neighborhood for possible inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Middle Tennessee State University – $12,675 for the creation of a comprehensive radiocarbon-based chronology for prehistoric shell-bearing sites along the Middle Cumberland River. The project also will include National Register documentation.
  • Ladies’ Hermitage Association - $15,000 for the restoration of President Andrew Jackson’s tomb.   

In Fentress County:  

  • East Tennessee State University - $9,257 to fund an archaeological survey of the bluff lines in the Jim Creek area adjacent to Pickett State Forest. 

In Giles County:

  • Southern Tennessee Area Arts Repertory - $6,000 for a condition assessment and restoration plan for the Pulaski Opera House. 
In Hancock County:
  • Hancock County Historical and Genealogical Society - $11,000 for the restoration of the 1860 Old Hancock County Jail, including masonry work and roof replacement. 
In Knox County:  
  • Airplane Filling Station Preservation Association, Inc. - $24,000 to complete the next phase of restoration, including electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC installation, handicapped access, metal repair and roofing. 
In McMinn County:
  • City of Niota - $12,000 for the restoration of the Niota Depot, including repairs to the floor joists in the City Hall area of the building and replacement of the external platform. 
In Morgan County: 
  • Historic Rugby, Inc. - $20,000 for the exterior restoration of Newberry House, including structural repairs, masonry work and painting.
In Shelby County:
  • Memphis Landmarks Commission - $30,000 for an architectural and historical survey of the city of Memphis, with a focus on cemeteries. An additional $6,000 was awarded to the Commission to help fund its participation in the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Assistance and Mentoring Program meeting. 
In Warren County:
  • Rock Island State Park / Tennessee State Parks - $30,000 for the restoration of the Great Falls Mill, including a new metal roof. 
In Washington County:
  • State of Franklin Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - $5,050 for an architectural and historical survey of the city of Jonesborough, in areas outside of the established historic district.  
In Williamson County:
  • City of Franklin - $3,000 to fund a survey and prepare nominations for the Franklin City and Rest Haven cemeteries for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Multi-County Grants:
  • Tennessee Division of Archaeology - $36,788 to fund a survey of Rosenwald Schools located throughout the state, involving schools built throughout the United States primarily for the education of African-Americans in the twentieth century.  
  • Tennessee Preservation Trust - $15,000 to fund the 2012 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference.
  • Middle Tennessee State University / Department of Geography - $20,000 to digitize data for historic and architectural survey files.  
  • Upper Cumberland Institute / Tennessee Technological Institute - $15,000 to fund computerization of historic and architectural survey data files.    
  • South Central Tennessee Development District - $50,000 to fund a preservation specialist staff position for the South Central Tennessee Development District.
  • East Tennessee Development District - $32,000 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.
  • Southeast Tennessee Development District - $52,000 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 the Web site at: www.tn.gov/environment/hist.
 
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