BCHM Awarded TN America 250 Grant for Historical Project with BCS
BLOUNT COUNTY, TN – Blount County Schools will partner with the Blount County Historical Museum to help preserve the history of Tennessee through a Tennessee America 250 grant awarded to BCHM. The $6,340 grant is an initiative from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial and will help purchase equipment to film historical sites around Blount County, producing stories through video and podcasts.
“We are very excited to work with the Blount County Historical Museum to help preserve the history of our region,” said Heritage High School Principal Jed West. “This grant allows our students to help tell the story of Tennessee and its heritage for future generations and we're grateful to be a part of it.”
The State of Tennessee made available $6,435,000 to the Tennessee State Museum to administer on behalf of the Commission, with the majority of funding to be re-granted to Tennessee communities to support statewide America 250 activities. The funding will also enable the museum to add QR Codes to modernize the collection.
“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum and Chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. “Next year will be filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals, and preservation of our local and state history. We hope that these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to engage with the anniversary in 2026.”
The first round of the Tennessee America 250 grant program was a highly competitive process. In total, the Commission received 220 applications, totaling $3,995,982 in requests. The Commission has made full or partial awards for 80 grants across the state, representing 37 counties, for a total of $1,566,325 awarded. A complete list of first round Tennessee America 250 grantees, counties and amounts is posted at www.tn250.com. A second round of grants will open for application in mid-November.
“We are thrilled to work with Heritage High School and hope other schools will join with us in this creative endeavor to celebrate the people, history, and legends that surround this county and our state’s founding in 1796, in large part by veterans of the Revolutionary War, said grant writer Christy Martin. “Preserving our history alongside Blount County Schools’ students and our community gives us an opportunity to ensure the history of our county, state, and nation will continue to be remembered.”
The Tennessee America 250 Project Support Grants and Community Support Grants had maximum request amounts of $20,000 and $25,000, respectively. All projects funded in the first round must be completed by April 30, 2027.
About the Blount County Historical Museum
This grant fits perfectly with the mission of the Blount County Historical Museum which reads, “Through collaboration with other historical entities and local schools, government, and businesses the Blount County Historical Museum seeks to interpret and preserve the county’s history of its people and places thru media, print, programming, and education in a safe, attractive, vibrant, convenient, and welcoming environment that encourages learning and collaboration with persons and places and visitors in the county and the wider community of East Tennessee.”
About Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial
The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial was legislatively established by Public Chapter 384 of the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019. The Assembly created the Commission to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and recognize Tennessee's integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation's past, present, and future. For more information on Commission activities, please visit www.tn250.com.
About Tennessee State Museum
Celebrating its 88th Anniversary in 2025, the Tennessee State Museum, is the administrative attachment of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The Museum is located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. It is home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.