Civil War Sites Preservation Fund

Applications will be accepted from August 12, 2024, through November 1, 2024.

The Tennessee Wars Commission, the Tennessee Historical Commission division responsible for preserving the state’s significant military history, has announced the 2024-2025 grant cycle for the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund (CWSPF).

The CWSPF, begun in 2013, is a key source for matching funds for the acquisition and preservation of properties associated with the 38 most significant Civil War sites in Tennessee. Additionally, grants can assist in funding the acquisition and protection of Underground Railroad sites eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, or eligible for designation as a National Historic Landmark.

“Totaling $7.3M, these grant awards are the largest in the history of the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund, and this year, are preserving 187 acres of hallowed ground across four Tennessee counties,” said the Tennessee Wars Commission Program Director, Nina Scall.

“Since 2018, approximately $18 million in funding from this program has helped save over 1,100 acres of threatened Tennessee battlefield lands,” said Tennessee Historical Commission Executive Director Patrick McIntyre.

2024 Fiscal Year Grant Funds

Grant funds totaling $7,319,500 were awarded to four applicants, saving approximately 187 acres of battlefield lands.

1. Franklins Charge Inc., receives $957,500.00 for the acquisition of the +/- 0.62-acre Danmark/DePreist Tract at the Franklin Battlefield (Williamson County).
2. American Battlefield Trust, receives $3,930,000.00 for the acquisition of the +/- 31.6-acre Ganesh Tract at the Stones River Battlefield (Rutherford County).
3. American Battlefield Trust, receives $2,315,000.00 for the acquisition of the +/-1.90-acre Green Tract at Fort Negley (Davidson County).
4. American Battlefield Trust, receives $117,000.00 for the acquisition of the +/- 152-acre Hardiman Tract II at the Shiloh Battlefield (Hardin County).

Requirements

This grant requires a 1:1 match, where the recipient provides a 50 percent match from another non-state source. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3). Eligible sites must be associated with the 38 most significant Civil War battlefields as defined by the National Park Service, be an Underground Railroad site eligible for designation on the National Register, or eligible for National Historic Landmark status.

For more information, please visit the Tennessee Wars Commission website or contact Program Director, Nina Scall,
at Nina.Scall@tn.gov.