The Tennessee Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, has announced 35 Federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grants totaling over $929,515 awarded for historic preservation and archaeological projects throughout the state.
The competitive grants are awarded annually for projects that support the preservation of historic and archaeological resources.
Rutherford County Grants Involving MTSU
In Murfreesboro, MTSU will receive a “Multi-County Grant” for two projects, the first being under their Department of Sociology and Anthropology. The local university will receive $3,541 to fund posters for Tennessee Archaeology Week.
MTSU also got approval on a $50,000 grant that will fund digitizing data for historic / architectural survey files and for survey data entry for computerization of survey files. The project will be under MTSU's Fullerton Laboratory for Spatial Technology.
More Grants and the Story of the 5 Courthouses in Shelbyville
The Bedford County Courthouse that sits in the center of the Shelbyville Square was built between 1934 and 1935. However, the history of the courthouse is filled with destruction that dates back to Bedford County's first courthouse that was built in 1810.
The original and first courthouse in Bedford County was constructed in 1810. Then, in 1821 local residents and government voted to build a new courthouse, which was constructed in 1821.
Courthouse number two didn't last long, due to a tornado destroying it just 9-years later in 1830.
The third courthouse in Shelbyville was built in 1830, but destroyed by a fire in 1863.
Ten years passed before a fourth Bedford County Courthouse was built in 1873. But believe it or not, the fourth courthouse had the same fate as its predecessor and was also destroyed by fire 61-years later in 1934. However, the fire was much more sinister in the 30's as it was started by a lynch mob.
Officials oversaw construction of courthouse number five between 1934 and 1934. Some is 87-years later, it is still standing today. Soon, visitors will be able to see more clearly out its windows, as the recently approved grant will cover the costs later this year (2021).
More on the Grants and the Federal Historic Preservation Fund
Throughout the state, other projects under the recently announced grants approved by the Tennessee Historical Commission will get underway.
This year’s selection of grant approvals included an archaeological survey, design guidelines for historic districts, surveys of historic resources, rehabilitation of historic buildings, and a poster highlighting the state’s archaeology. One of the grant priorities is for projects that are in Certified Local Governments (CLG), a program that allows communities to participate closely in the federal program of historic preservation. Eight CLG communities were awarded 12 grants this year. Additional priorities include those that meet the goals and objectives of the office’s plan for historic preservation. Properties that use the restoration grants must be listed in the National Register.
The next round of grants is expected to be opened in December 2021, with applications due in January 2022.
