The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area tells the whole story of America’s Greatest Challenge, 1860-1875, through Civil War and Reconstruction-era sites and resources across the state.

The Heritage Area develops partnerships to preserve, enhance, interpret, and promote the legacy of the Civil War and its aftermath. Administered by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University, It is the only heritage area to encompass an entire state. For information on the many ways we can help your site or organization, click here. To learn more about us, click here.

Sustaining the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
January 2, 2010

As Tennessee enters the years that represent the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Reconstruction era, the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area proposes its plan to remain in its leadership role for the state’s efforts over the next decade. With continued emphasis on educational opportunities for Tennessee's schoolchildren, adult learners, and visitors, we will sustain our program's services through academic excellence, research and interpretation, teachers' guidebooks and fieldtrips, heritage tourism and economic development, and resource conservation.

Operational Certainty
The Heritage Area has a secure major partner in the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, the legislatively mandated “clearinghouse” for the Heritage Area. This partnership allows the Heritage Area to create a hands-on learning laboratory for students. As a result, the Center has provided, and will continue to provide:

Salary and benefits for the Heritage Area Director
Salary and benefits for the Heritage Area Manager
Salary and benefits for the Heritage Area Secretary

The MTSU Center for Historic Preservation also provides:
Offices and meeting rooms at 1417 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN
Phones, computers, and other necessary office needs
Support from graduate assistants from the university’s nationally recognized public history program

The City of Murfreesboro provides:
Offices and exhibit space at The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, a facility operated in partnership with Main Street Murfreesboro.

Project Partnerships
The Heritage Area works across the state through key reciprocal partnerships with leading institutional partners. The partners regularly interact and shape Heritage Area policy and projects through membership in the Board of Advisors.  The partners identify and help to jointly fund and support Heritage Area programs and activities. These key partners include:
 
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Tennessee Department of Education
Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
Tennessee Historical Commission
Tennessee Historical Society
Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee State Museum
Franklin’s Charge, Inc.
National Battlefields in Tennessee
Tennessee Preservation Trust
Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association
East Tennessee Historical Society
East Tennessee Civil War Alliance
Teaching With Primary Sources in Tennessee
Lakeway Civil War Preservation Association
Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee

Use of Collaborative Partnership Funding
Federal funding for the Heritage Area is allocated into two programs.  Professional Services allow for designated staff to travel and work directly with communities, governments, and citizens on their Civil War heritage needs.  Collaborative Partnerships provide funding on a matching basis for specific heritage projects, as reviewed and approved by the Board of Advisors.  We expect a rise in the number of requests for assistance from a broad range of communities and property owners from 2010 to 2020.  Consistent federal support will allow for achieving the Heritage Area’s original management plan and to achieve the legislative goals of the 1996 bill that created the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.

Please email us to share your thoughts on the Heritage Area and its goals and partnerships.