Tennessee Wars Commission

The Tennessee General Assembly enacted legislation in April 1994 creating the Tennessee Wars Commission, which is administratively attached to the Tennessee Historical Commission.

The duties of the Wars Commission include the coordination of planning, preservation, and promotion of structures, buildings, sites, and battlefields of Tennessee associated with the French and Indian War (1754-1763), American Revolution War (1775-1783), War of 1812 (1812-1815), U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1848), and the Civil War (1861-1865). The Commission has developed a plan that provides incentives to local landowners and governments to preserve and restore battlefields and historic sites related to the above time frames. It is charged with acquiring or providing funds for the acquisition of battlegrounds, cemeteries, and other historic properties associated with the wars.

The Commission has the authority to expend funds received from state appropriations, and other sources, to make grants to municipalities, counties, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of maintaining and restoring existing memorials and cemeteries related to the wars. It is also authorized to receive and accept loans, gifts, grants, donations, or contributions of money, property, facilities, and services. The Commission may, with the consent of the landowner, acquire by donation, purchase, or exchange, lands and interests in battlefields, together with lands and interest in lands necessary to provide adequate public access to the battlefields and memorials. Subject to appropriations for such purposes, the Commission may make funds available for the maintenance and protection of battlefields and memorials.

The Tennessee Wars Commission has published several brochures providing information about Civil War sites in Tennessee as well as a comprehensive plan entitled, Preservation and Interpretation Plan for Civil War Resources in Tennessee. An Emmy Award-winning video, Hallowed Ground, Preserving Tennessee's Civil War Battlefields, is being sent to over 2000 Tennessee public schools for use in their libraries and history classes associated with the 5th, 8th, and 11th grades. Click on the following links for more information about the programs of the Tennessee Wars Commission:

• Path Divided
• Tennessee Civil War Sourcebook
• The Battle of Johnsonville - Printable brochure (best on 8-1/2" x 14")
• Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association
• American Battlefield Trust
• TN Civil War National Heritage Area

Grant Funds

Grant Fund Applications will open in Summer 2023

Civil War Sites Preservation Fund:

Accepting applications August 15, 2022, through October 31, 2022.

The Civil War Sites Preservation Fund grants funding for the acquisition and preservation of Civil War battlefields and Underground Railroad sites located in Tennessee. 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. Applications will be accepted August 1, 2022, through October 31, 2022. For more information please visit the Tennessee Wars Commission website or contact Program Director, Nina Scall, at Nina.Scall@tn.gov. To apply, please visit TDEC's grant management home page.

Tennessee Wars Commission Grant Fund: 

Accepting applications September 1, 2022, through November 14, 2022.

The Tennessee Wars Commission Grant Fund provides funds to coordinate planning, preservation, protection, promotion, and interpretation of structures, buildings, sites, and battlefields related to Tennessee’s military heritage. This grant can fund a wide variety of projects relating to the French and Indian War (1754-1763), the Revolutionary War (1776-1783), War of 1812 (1812-1815), Mexican-American War (1846-1848), and the Civil War (1861-1865). Examples include but are not limited to archaeological surveys and excavations, cemetery preservation, contraband camp preservation and interpretation, graphic displays and interpretative panels, historic markers, and living history and educational programs.

Any individual, museum, educational institution, private organization, or local government body can apply. Although there is no minimum matching requirement, applicant contributions will be a positive consideration. Applications will be accepted September 1, 2022, through November 14, 2022. For more information please visit the Tennessee Wars Commission website or contact Program Director, Nina Scall, at Nina.Scall@tn.gov. To apply, please visit TDEC's grant management homepage.