Charlotte, TN (TN Tribune)– The Promise Land Heritage Association is a recipient of a $26,500 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 the current ramp and deck with an accessible ramp design that is more carefully designed and appropriately located to preserve the School Museum’s character while also giving access to the Community Center’s classroom area and restrooms. Additionally, the grant will be used for the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Promise Land School Cistern for interpretation and to recreate the appearance of the school’s grounds.
The Tennessee General Assembly made available $5 million in funding from the 2024-2025 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.
It was a highly competitive process. In total, the Tennessee State Museum received 157 applications, totaling $10.5M in funding requests for the $5M appropriation. As of this release, the State Museum has made full or partial awards to 83 museums across the state, representing 46 counties.
“In our second year facilitating this funding, we continue to be inspired by the incredible work being done throughout the state by our strong network of Tennessee museums and historic sites,” said Ashley Howell, Tennessee State Museum Executive Director. “This grant is an extension of our mission to preserve of the history, art, and culture of Tennessee by supporting the efforts of local, regional, and state institutions. We again thank the Tennessee General Assembly for their support for Tennessee museums.”
“The Promise Land Heritage Association is grateful to the Tennessee State Museum for funding our request to replace the current deck and ramp with one built with more attractive durable materials and will meet all ADA and safety requirements, and for the funds that will enhance the museum visitor experience through interpretation of the school cistern,” said Serina Gilbert, PLHA Board Chair. “I want to thank our Preservation Committee members, Donzella Bowins, Cate Hamilton, John Nichols, Lori Forte, Steve Shafer, and Bill Gilbert for all they do for the Promise Land Historic site.”
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, 2025.
The Promise Land Heritage Association is a nonprofit cultural, educational, and charitable organization organized for the preservation and interpretation of the Promise Land Historic Site in Charlotte, Tennessee. The mission is to preserve, maintain, and interpret the history of the Promise Land Community settled by United States Colored Troop Veterans and formerly enslaved people shortly after the end of the Civil War.
Celebrating its 87th Anniversary in 2024, the Tennessee State Museum, located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, is home to 13,000 years of Tennessee art and history. 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.
