A photo of the Weakley County Courthouse in Dresden, Tennessee. In the foreground is a statue, sculpted by Russ Faxon on 2010, of Ned Ray McWherter, who served as governor of Tennessee from 1987-1995. The Dresden courthouse was designed by Marr And Holman. The limestone Weakley County Courthouse was built in 1949. This photo © Capitolshots Photography/TwoFiftyFour Photos, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced today the latest recipients of Tennessee Historic Development Grants. The Weakley County Courthouse has received an award of $500,000.
For this round of funding, the program will fund projects that facilitate the preservation and redevelopment of Tennessee’s historic courthouses. Applications were accepted by TNECD and reviewed by Rural Development program staff with assistance from the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC). Applications were scored based on community need, project need and project impact.
“Tennessee is home to some of the nation’s most beautiful and historically significant courthouses, and we are proud to announce additional funding today that will support their continued revitalization,” said Deputy Governor and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “Thank you to the Tennessee Historical Commission for its partnership on this program. We look forward to seeing how these investments strengthen local communities and drive long-term growth and prosperity statewide.”
County officials from distressed and at-risk counties had the opportunity to apply for a grant up to $500,000 for the rehabilitation of their county courthouses listed on the National Register of Historic Place or a courthouse eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proposed work was approved by the THC as meeting the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
“We’re proud to partner with TNECD on this terrific program that not only restores historic buildings but also strengthens communities across the state by rehabilitating properties that are integral to the daily life of Tennesseans,” said THC interim executive director and State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) Miranda Montgomery.
The THC’s mission is to protect, preserve, maintain and administer historic places and encourage the inclusive diverse study of Tennessee’s history for the benefit of future generations.
The grant recipients include the following county courthouses:
- Chester County – $481,182
- Dickson County – $500,000
- Giles County – $500,000
- Lauderdale County – $500,000
- Lawrence County – $500,000
- Maury County – $500,000
- Morgan County – $356,250
- Pickett County – $500,000
- Polk County – $500,000
- Scott County – $249,375
- Weakley County – $500,000
Various criteria must have been met for a structure to receive a grant.