Tennessee Historic Commission awards grants to five cities

Five municipalities have been awarded grants from the Federal Historic Preservation Fund to restore and conserve historic resources in their communities. 

The Tennessee Historical Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office awarded $1.1 million in matching grants to 28 projects across the state. The grants will cover 60% of the cost with grantees providing a 40% match.  

Algood, Dandridge, Loudon, Nashville, and Pittman Center all received grants for preservation projects in their communities.  

Algood received $18,000 for floor restoration at the city-owned White Plains Historic Home. Constructed in 1840 in what is now the heart of the city, White Plains and its surrounding 2.27 acres were purchased by the city in 2018 and is being developed into a museum showcasing the heritage of the local community with living history events and programs. 

 Dandridge received a $66,000 grant for roof and masonry restoration at the Hickman Tavern and Hickman Tavern Coach Home. Constructed in 1820, the structures now serves as Dandridge Town Hall and the Dandridge Visitors Center. Both buildings were once important stops on early stage coach routes between Knoxville and Abingdon, Va. 

Loudon received $36,000 for the preparation of updated historic design and review guidelines for the city. Nashville also received $51,600 for an architectural survey of the north, south, and southeastern portions of the city.  

 Pittman Center received $66,000 for the restoration of the Community Center Home Economics Building. The only remaining structure from the Methodist settlement school established in the community in the 1920s, the building now serves as Pittman Center Town Hall.   

Additional grants will assist in funding preservation planners in seven of the state’s development districts, including the East Tennessee, First Tennessee, Northwest Tennessee, South Central Tennessee, Southeast Tennessee, Southwest Tennessee, and Upper Cumberland development districts. These positions can aid communities in historic preservation work.   

All properties receiving grants must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A new grant cycle for the Federal Historic Preservation Fund will open in January 2027 with applications available online.