Hey Tennessee history lovers and museum fans! Great news — the state is investing $5 million to help take care of your favorite museums and historic sites. This money, approved by the Tennessee General Assembly for the 2025-26 budget year, is set aside just for repairs, upgrades, and other big improvements. It’s a special fund, separate from regular state support, and it’s meant to give a real boost to places that keep our local and regional history alive, according to the Tennessee State Museum.
To get a piece of this funding, organizations need to be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or connected to a government agency. According to the Tennessee State Museum, the grant application period is now open. So, if your local museum or historic site applies and gets approved, you might see some exciting updates soon. Grants start at $5,000 and go up to $100,000 per project. But don’t wait too long — applications are due by August 25. And if they get the funding, all projects need to be finished by the end of June next year, as reported by the Tennessee State Museum.
According to Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum, in a statement obtained by their official website, “As we enter our third year facilitating this grant funding, we again look forward to working with museums and historic sites throughout the state to preserve the history, art, and culture of Tennessee.” Howell also tipped the hat to the Tennessee General Assembly, adding, “We are thankful to the Tennessee General Assembly, which by its continued support for this program, underscores the value that our local, regional, and state institutions bring to our communities.”
In the past, the grant program has sprinkled monetary support across the state, bringing about tangible improvements at 152 museums in 68 counties. Some grants have served more urgent needs, such as those doled out for Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief in February 2025 to a handful of institutions in dire straits due to the storm. Museums itching to learn more about how to apply or to find out more details on the reporting requirements that come with the grant can simply hop over to TNMuseum.org/grants, as stated by the Tennessee State Museum.
The Tennessee State Museum itself is no stranger to showcasing the state's illustrious past through a variety of exhibitions. Celebrating its 88th year, the museum offers both a step back in time and a gaze forward through its six permanent exhibitions. Open and free to the public, the Tennessee State Museum could serve as a template for other institutions on the kind of impactful presentation that could be funded through these grants. For those into all things history and art, or maybe just looking for a solid air-conditioned escape on a hot Sunday afternoon, the Museum is a destination of choice, boasting 13,000 years worth of Tennessee culture and achievements.
