Battlefields Saved Through Civil War Sites Preservation Fund Grants Awarded in 2024

Monday, February 26, 2024 | 09:00am

The Tennessee Wars Commission, the Tennessee Historical Commission division responsible for preserving the state’s significant military history, has announced the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund (CWSPF) grant recipients for Fiscal Year 2024. This fund is provided by legislation to the Tennessee Historical Commission, who approves and awards TCWSPF grants. The Tennessee Wars Commission administers the application and grant processes.

The Civil War Sites Preservation Fund, 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.

“Since its debut in 2013, approximately $18 million in funding from this program has helped save approximately one thousand acres of threatened Tennessee battlefield lands,” said Tennessee Historical Commission Director Patrick McIntyre. 

Grant funds totaling $7,319,500 were awarded to four applicants during the 2024 fiscal year, saving approximately 187 acres of battlefield lands: 

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