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Brief History | Board Members | Committees

1999
     In the summer of 1999, a group of approximately 30 people, representing interested persons and organizations from across the state, began meeting with staff of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Their purpose in meeting was to establish an historic preservation non-profit that would advocate for preservation issues across the state-- and assist in strengthening the preservation movement in Tennessee.

2000
     With the support of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Tennessee Historical Commission, the Tennessee Main Street Association, the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, and Historic Nashville, Inc., the organization held its first statewide preservation conference in Franklin, Tennessee, March 17-18, 2000. The conference was a great success with over 100 people in attendance.
     Following the conference, public meetings were held in Brownsville, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville. At these meetings the public had an opportunity to meet with representatives of other successful statewide preservation organizations and learn about the National Trust's Statewide Partners Program, an effort that provides funding for hiring full-time paid staff. Many participants became members at this time and the comments received during these meetings were very encouraging.
     By the fall of 2000, the organizing committee disbanded with the creation of the organization's first Board of Directors and Advisory Council. One third of those selected had served on the organizing committee; the remaining two-thirds were new to the organization, though chosen for their commitment to preserving Tennessee's unique cultural environment.

2001
     The second annual Tennessee Preservation Conference was held from April 29-May 1, 2001 in Columbia. That summer, the education committee solicited nominations for the state's first "Ten in Tennessee" most endangered list. This list was unveiled on November 17, 2001, in Chattanooga. On the same day, TPT held its annual membership meeting and sponsored a lecture series highlighting historic preservation and urban design efforts in Chattanooga. Later that day TPT hosted its first "Toast of Tennessee" fundraising event. Several hundred people attended the gala to learn more about TPT and Chattanooga as they sampled wine and hors d'oeuvres while touring buildings in Chattanooga's historic Southside.

2002
     The third annual statewide preservation conference was held in Jonesborough and Johnson City in April and was a huge success. In July, thanks to the generous support of the National Trust, who awarded TPT a 3-year, $35,000 Statewide Challenge Grant, and the ongoing fundraising efforts of the Board, the organization hired its first full-time staff person, Patrick McIntyre. McIntyre had worked previously as Endangered Properties Coordinator for the Alabama Historical Commission, and had also served as a private consultant specializing in architectural surveys and historic property nominations. To introduce the organization and its director to diverse areas of Tennessee, a series of five regional receptions took place in the Fall-- in Covington, Shelbyville, Oak Ridge, Cookeville, and Union City. In November, the second 10 in Tennessee list was unveiled at the Annual Membership Meeting in Clarksville, and the Toast of Tennessee proved another success in Chattanooga. By the end of 2002, the organization's membership had more than doubled from the previous year.

2003
     With a clear vision and a strong commitment from its board, staff, and volunteers, TPT continued to grow in its role of working to protect the state's historic resources and partnering with complimentary organizations. In February, TPT held a Legislative reception in downtown Nashville, attended by over 30 of the state's lawmakers. Attendees learned about the critical work of the Tennessee Historical Commission-- and the importance of preservation to Tennessee's economy. In March TPT director Patrick McIntyre traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC along with a group of fellow Tennessee preservationists. There they met with members and staffers from the state's Congressional delegation and expressed support for increasing Federal funding to the State Historic Preservation Office. At the end of March, TPT's fourth statewide preservation conference took place in Memphis. This year's event featured TPT's most ambitious educational program yet, with over 40 speakers and more than 120 participants. During 2003, TPT was also working closely with citizens on various preservation issues in places including Giles, Cumberland, Sevier, Williamson, and Sumner Counties. Issues ranged from the potential demolition of a historic house to the threat of a road widening through an important National Register district. In November TPT was preparing for its inaugural Preservation Awards and Membership Meeting in Bristol.

     In existence for a little over three years, TPT continues to accumulate a tangible track record of laudable accomplishments. But our long-term success and growth depends on you. By becoming a member of the Tennessee Preservation Trust, you are directly helping to positively impact preservation efforts in the state. If you are not already a member, we hope that you click on the membership form and join our support network as we continue to develop as a unified voice for the preservation movement in Tennessee!

Board Members of the TPT

      The creation of a strong and diverse board of directors and an advisory council was a great accomplishment for the Tennessee Preservation Trust. The board development committee was careful to represent the cultural and geographic diversity of the state. Its members come from large cities and small towns. The variety of professions brings a wealth of talent and experience to the organization. Members of the board of directors and the advisory council have been involved in a wide range of local, regional, and national preservation efforts.

Board of Directors

• Jeffrey Boehm, Chattanooga, Chair
• Martha Akins, Nashville, Vice-Chair
• Anne-Leslie Owens, Murfreesboro, Secretary
• Teresa Douglass, Nashville, Treasurer
• Jane Kowalewski, Memphis, Past Chair
• Mary Alexander, Johnson City
• Dr. Blair Erb, Jackson
• Annie McDonald, Chattanooga
• Allen Henderson, Clarksville
• Mai Hendricks, Bell Buckle
• Melinda Keifer, Cookeville
• Jane Laub, Nashville
• Tim Sloan, Covington
• Barbara Stagg, Rugby
• Rebecca Stern, Chattanooga
• Earlice Taylor, Memphis
• Kim Trent, Knoxville

Ex-Officio

• Lee Curtis, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Nashville
• Nick Fielder, Tennessee Division of Archaeology, Nashville
• Jean Nelson, The Land Trust for Tennessee, Nashville
• Dick Tune, Tennessee Historical Commission, Nashville
• Lin Pendleton, Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities

Advisory Council

• Nancy Jane Baker, Memphis
• Ann Bennett, Knoxville
• Randy Cline, Gallatin
  
• Jennifer Graham, Mt. Pleasant
  
• Cate Hamilton, Greeneville
  
• Judith Johnson, Memphis
  
• Bill Kennedy, Jonesborough
  
• Steve McDaniel, Parker's Crossroads
  
• Ann Roberts, Nashville
  
• Rob Taylor, Chattanooga
  
• Tom Trotter, Gatlinburg
  
• Page Walley, Jackson
  
• Tommie Morton Young, Nashville

Committees

For more information on joining the following committees, please email us:

Annual Conference Committee
conference@tennesseepreservationtrust.org

"Ten in Tennessee" Endangered List
endangeredlist@tennesseepreservationtrust.org

Preservation Directory Committee
directory@tennesseepreservationtrust.org

Membership Committee
membership@tennesseepreservationtrust.org

TPT Office
executivedirector@tennesseepreservationtrust.org

(615) 259-2289
(615) 259-2276 Fax