Nashville, TN - The Tennessee Historical Commission has announced over $1.1 million in federal grant funding to help preserve historic and archaeological sites across the state—and Rutherford County is getting a generous slice of the pie.

Middle Tennessee State University will receive $144,000 in matching grants through two key initiatives. The Department of Sociology and Anthropology secured $8,000 to produce educational posters for Tennessee Archaeology Week over the next two years. Meanwhile, MTSU’s Fullerton Laboratory for Spatial Technology was awarded a whopping $136,000 to provide GIS services for a statewide historic and architectural survey, also spanning two years.

These grants are part of a broader effort by the Tennessee Historical Commission, which awarded 26 grants to nonprofits, local governments, universities, and civic organizations. The goal? To document, restore, and celebrate the places that make Tennessee unique.

Patrick McIntyre, Executive Director and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, emphasized the importance of these investments. “We are pleased to be able to provide Historic Preservation Fund grants that will help document and restore the important places that make our state so unique,” he said. “This program allows the Tennessee Historical Commission to make tangible progress in the preservation and study of our state’s treasured historic places.”

The Federal Historic Preservation Fund covers 60 percent of project costs, with grantees contributing the remaining 40 percent. That partnership model ensures local commitment while maximizing federal support.

For Rutherford County, the funding means more than just dollars—it’s a chance to deepen public understanding of Tennessee’s rich history and ensure that future generations can explore it with clarity and pride.