White County Heritage Museum awarded $35,450 grant

White County Heritage Museum is a recipient of a $35,450 grant for Capital Maintenance and Improvements from the State of Tennessee as administered through the Tennessee State Museum. The grant award will be used for Museum Storage improvements.

The Tennessee General Assembly made available $5 million in funding from the 2026-2027 Appropriations Act, “for the sole purpose of providing grants to museums with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or affiliated with a governmental entity for capital maintenance and improvements.”

In the fourth year of the grant program, it remains a highly competitive process. In total, the Tennessee State Museum received 160 applications, totaling $10,434,851 in requests. The Museum has made full or partial awards to 102 museums across the state, representing 49 counties. In the four years the Museum has administered the grant program, it has served museums in 76 counties across the state. A complete list of 2026-27 grantees, counties and amounts is posted at TNMuseum.org/grants.

“The Tennessee State Museum’s Capital Grant program continues to support the infrastructure of Tennessee museums,” said Ashley Howell, Tennessee State Museum Executive Director. “It is an honor to support the incredible work of our strong network of Tennessee museums. This grant is an extension of how the State of Tennessee can further support their efforts and the preservation of local and state history. We thank the Tennessee General Assembly for their support for Tennessee museums.”

“We are honored to receive this $35,450 grant from the Tennessee State Museum. These funds will allow us to make important improvements to the White County Heritage Museum’s storage facilities, helping us better preserve and protect the historical artifacts and collections that tell the story of our county. We appreciate the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee State Museum for investing in the preservation of our local history and supporting museums across the state,” said Brenda Templeton, Director of the White County Heritage Museum.

“This grant is a wonderful opportunity to improve how we care for and preserve the historical artifacts and collections entrusted to the White County Heritage Museum. The planned storage improvements will help us better protect these important pieces of our past so they can remain a valuable resource for our community and future generations. We are thankful for this support and excited about what it means for the museum,” said Trisha Bohlen, Assistant Director of the White County Heritage Museum.

The Capital Maintenance and Improvements grant had a minimum request amount of $5,000 and a maximum request amount of $100,000. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2027.

About White County Heritage Museum

Located in Sparta, Tennessee, the White County Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of White County and its people. The museum serves as a valuable resource for residents, students, researchers, and visitors interested in learning more about the county’s past.

Through its historical artifacts, photographs, exhibits, and collections, the museum highlights the people, traditions, industries, and events that helped shape the community. From local culture and craftsmanship to the stories of generations who came before us, the museum provides a meaningful connection to White County’s heritage.

The White County Heritage Museum plays an important role in protecting the community’s historical identity and ensuring that future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate the county’s past. By preserving these important pieces of local history, the museum helps keep White County’s stories alive for years to come.

About Tennessee State Museum

The Tennessee State Museum, located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, is your home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture. Through six permanent exhibitions titled Natural History, First Peoples, Forging a Nation, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Change and Challenge and Tennessee Transforms, the Museum takes visitors on a journey–through artifacts, films, interactive displays, events and educational and digital programing–from the state’s geological beginnings to the present day.

Additional temporary exhibitions explore significant periods and individuals in history, along with art and cultural movements. 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.