Tennessee – The Tennessee Wars Commission, a division of the Tennessee Historical Commission, has awarded grants through the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund for Fiscal Year 2025. This program, established in 2013, provides funding for the acquisition and protection of historically significant Civil War and Underground Railroad sites across the state.
With the latest round of grants, the CWSPF has now allocated over $20.3 million in matching funds to preserve more than 1,100 acres tied to 38 key Civil War sites in Tennessee.
The program also aids in creating parks and conserving open spaces, even in urban areas facing development pressure. “In addition to saving irreplaceable historic places, this valuable program has helped create parks and preserve open space and wildlife habitat,” said Tennessee Historical Commission Director Patrick McIntyre.
For the 2025 fiscal year, a total of $1,935,250 was awarded to six applicants, protecting approximately 81.4 acres of battlefield land:
– American Battlefield Trust received $125,250 to acquire 30.7 acres at the Wauhatchie Battlefield in Hamilton County, bringing the total funding for this site to $469,500.
– American Battlefield Trust was awarded $22,500 for a 0.46-acre tract at the Chattanooga Battlefield in Hamilton County.
– Franklin’s Charge, Inc. secured $1 million to purchase 13.89 acres on Ropers Knob at the Franklin Battlefield in Williamson County.
– American Battlefield Trust received $187,500 to acquire 23.75 acres at the Shiloh Battlefield in Hardin County.
– Battle of Nashville Trust, Inc. obtained $505,000 for a 1.03-acre site at Shy’s Hill on the Nashville Battlefield in Davidson County.
– Battle of Franklin’s Charge, Inc. was granted $95,000 to preserve 11.57 acres at the Spring Hill Battlefield in Maury County.
Applications for the next grant cycle will open on August 11, 2025, and close on October 31, 2025.