HERITAGE ALLIANCE AWARDED A CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM | GRANT WILL BE USED FOR RENOVATION OF THE JONESBOROUGH WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM
JONESBOROUGH, TN 10-16-26, HERITAGE ALLIANCE is a recipient of a $100,000.00 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 the replacement of old exhibit walls and panels within the Jonesborough Washington County History Museum and safer display spaces for the growing collection of the Heritage Alliance. Heritage Alliance uses this museum to bring history to life and share many artifacts and stories from Jonesborough and Washington County history. This grant will provide safer and more efficient display spaces and replace structurally unsound walls and fixtures.
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.”
“The Heritage Alliance is embarking on a museum renovation that will allow for more artifacts and stories about the region to be shared,” said Cecilia Edwards, Executive Director. “This grant is the first step toward that goal. The more than 40-year-old exhibit walls are no longer the safest or best way to care for and show the collection. As the primary location for many of our field trips and youth programming, it’s essential to bring this space up to current and future standards that serve our children and general audience better. The Jonesborough Washington County History Museum is free and open to the public. The current exhibit, Mind Your Business: 250 Years of American History through Currency will be open through January, at which point the new work will begin. We are excited about the future of this space.”
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 the Heritage Alliance
The mission of the Heritage Alliance combines historic preservation with history education. We believe that blending these dimensions enables us to provide uniquely effective services to a wide range of public audiences, including adults and children, local citizens and tourists.
The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to advocating and providing technical support for the preservation of our region’s architecture, developing innovative museum experiences that bring history onto our public streets, and providing unique history education opportunities for both the people who live in our region and the people who visit it.
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.
Heritage Alliance Receives $100,000 Grant
HERITAGE ALLIANCE AWARDED A CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM | GRANT WILL BE USED FOR RENOVATION OF THE JONESBOROUGH WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM
JONESBOROUGH, TN 10-16-26, HERITAGE ALLIANCE is a recipient of a $100,000.00 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 the replacement of old exhibit walls and panels within the Jonesborough Washington County History Museum and safer display spaces for the growing collection of the Heritage Alliance. Heritage Alliance uses this museum to bring history to life and share many artifacts and stories from Jonesborough and Washington County history. This grant will provide safer and more efficient display spaces and replace structurally unsound walls and fixtures.
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.”
“The Heritage Alliance is embarking on a museum renovation that will allow for more artifacts and stories about the region to be shared,” said Cecilia Edwards, Executive Director. “This grant is the first step toward that goal. The more than 40-year-old exhibit walls are no longer the safest or best way to care for and show the collection. As the primary location for many of our field trips and youth programming, it’s essential to bring this space up to current and future standards that serve our children and general audience better. The Jonesborough Washington County History Museum is free and open to the public. The current exhibit, Mind Your Business: 250 Years of American History through Currency will be open through January, at which point the new work will begin. We are excited about the future of this space.”
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 the Heritage Alliance
The mission of the Heritage Alliance combines historic preservation with history education. We believe that blending these dimensions enables us to provide uniquely effective services to a wide range of public audiences, including adults and children, local citizens and tourists.
The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to advocating and providing technical support for the preservation of our region’s architecture, developing innovative museum experiences that bring history onto our public streets, and providing unique history education opportunities for both the people who live in our region and the people who visit it.
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.
Progressive Dinner 2026
Halloween History Trivia
Reading of the Grinch
True and Chilling Tales tickets are still available!
A few tickets remain for the most chilling tour of Jonesborough! Grab yours at
True and Chilling Tales
History Book Club
You still have time to read the book for History Book Club next week! We are reading about King’s Mountain, coinciding with the month that the battle took place.
True and Chilling Tales!
Come and learn some truly chilling history in Jonesborough this October. From horse theft to murder and mass graves, hear the very true tales and more during this unique tour that’s perfect for a spooky October evening.
Heritage Fair
Heritage Fair!
Saturday September 6, 2025
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Downtown Historic Jonesborough, TN
The Jonesborough Genealogical Society, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, in partnership with other regional heritage organizations, will host the 6th Annual Heritage Fair. Admission to the fair is free. For more information: https://www.jgsoftn.org/annual-heritage-fair
The Heritage Alliance offers a $6 town tour, a $5 cemetery tour, or both tours for $10.
The town tour meets at the Chester Inn Museum at 1:00 pm.
The cemetery tour meets at the Old Jonesborough Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
History Happy Hour – 2025 Series
Occurring on the third Thursday of every month from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. through November, our History Happy Hour series is an exciting opportunity to bring in talented speakers for free to the public. This event is hosted at the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum at 116 West Main Street, Jonesborough, TN behind the main building in the Board Room Annex, unless otherwise indicated. Check out our Facebook for more news and information: Heritage Alliance Facebook
April 17: Dr. Warren Dockter – President and CEO of the East Tennessee Historical Society – “Intelligence and the Battle of Kings Mountain”
May 15: David Oaks of Kingsport – Force in the Mountains
June 19: Juneteenth Speaker – To be determined
July 17: Dr. Graham Perry – Middle Tennessee State University – Cemetery Preservation
August 21: Marshall Adesman – The Exchange Place, A Living History Farm
September 18: Dr. Katie Hoffman – Create Appalachia – “Birds and Ballads”
October 16: Dr. Rene Rodgers – Birthplace of Country Music – “Country Music and Comedy”
November 20: Dr. Brian Maxson – East Tennessee State University – “European History through Appalachian Eyes”
Important Info:
When: Third Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum, Board Room Annex (behind main building) – 116 West Main Street, Jonesborough, TN
History Happy Hour
History Happy Hour is back with a summer season for 2024. A full lineup will be posted in the near future.