In the summer of 1999, a group of approximately 30 people, representing interested persons and organizations from across the state, met with staff from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The group inherited the charter and membership roster of the Tennessee Heritage Alliance, which started in 1982 and was active through the mid-1990s. Building on the successes and legacy of the THA (whose 1983 conference featured the legendary Minnie Pearl and then-Governor Lamar Alexander,) the revitalized effort combined the best of old and new to become the Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT).  From the outset, the goal of TPT was to advocate for preservation issues across the state, while helping unify the diverse constituencies that make up the preservation movement in Tennessee.

On March 17-18, 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., TPT held its first statewide preservation conference in Franklin, Tennessee. The conference was a great success, with over 100 people in attendance.  In the months 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 organization's Board of Directors and Advisory Council were in place. 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.

The Statewide Preservation Conference took place from April 29-May 1, 2001 in Columbia. That summer, the education committee solicited nominations for the state's first "Ten in Tennessee" list--a roster of the state's most endangered historic places. This list premiered on November 17, 2001, at an action-packed event in Chattanooga. On the same day, TPT also held its annual membership meeting and sponsored a lecture series highlighting historic preservation and urban design efforts in Chattanooga. TPT also used the occasion to debut the "Toast of Tennessee" Wine and Historic Preservaton Tour. Several hundred people attended the gala and sampled wine and hors d'oeuvres while touring historic buildings in Chattanooga's historic Southside.  That fall Aaron Marcavich designed and launched TPT's web site. Also in 2001, the organization began republishing the former THA Network newsletter under the TPT name, and the board and volunteers continued to strengthen the organization in preparation for hiring staff.  

2002 was a year in which TPT began to fulfill many of the major goals established by its founders. The third statewide preservation conference was held in Jonesborough and Johnson City in April--another success for the group's continued commitment to preservation education. Also that spring, TPT's office was established in downtown Nashville, and the Preservation Directory made its debut. Thanks to the generous support of the National Trust, who awarded TPT a 3-year, $35,000 Statewide Challenge Grant, that summer the organization hired its first full-time executive director, Patrick McIntyre. To introduce the new director to diverse areas of Tennessee, a series of five regional receptions were held---in Covington, Shelbyville, Oak Ridge, Cookeville, and Union City. In November, the second Ten in Tennessee list was unveiled at the Annual Membership Meeting in Clarksville, during a well-attended and fun reception at the Customs House Museum. Also in the fall, the Toast of Tennessee proved another success in Chattanooga, and the tour route spotlighted properties in the downtown business district. By the end of 2002, the organization's membership had more than doubled from the previous year. TPT also emerged as a force for advocacy. Notable successes during the year included TPT volunteers playing an instrumental role in keeping a law that would have greatly reduced the effectiveness of historic zoning from being enacted by the State Legislature. TPT volunteers also worked hard to successfully keep funding to the Tennessee Historical Commission from being eliminated during what proved to be a particularly tough year for the state budget.

With a clear vision and a strong commitment from its board, staff, and volunteers, TPT continued to expand its commitment to helping protect the state's historic resources. 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.

In July, the Toast of Tennessee took place in the elegant Dome Building in downtown Chattanooga.  In November TPT debuted its inaugural Preservation Awards with an elegant evening event at the restored Paramount Theatre in Bristol. The awards were part of an exciting annual membership meeting weekend that also initiated TPT's first  "ramble"-- a tour of historic buildings in Bristol and Blountville not ordinarily open to the public.  The weekend event was also a fundraising benefit, with almost $10,000 raised for TPT. During the course of 2003, TPT also worked closely with citizens on various preservation issues in all three grand divisions of the state. Issues ranged from the potential demolition of a historic house to the threat of a road widening through an important National Register district. The organization also helped fund a structural assessment for the historic Wonderland Hotel in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Supporters of the organization rewarded TPT's accomplishments by closing out 2003 with a tripling of contributions to the annual fund from the previous year.

2004-2008    Continued Growth and Achievement

In April, 2004, TPT enjoyed record attendance at the annual Statewide Preservation Conference in downtown Nashville, as over 200 people attended at least one event during the two day program. In February, the Legislative Reception took place once more, with the reemergent Tennessee Main Street Program the focus of this year's spotlight to the state's lawmakers.  TPT procured the services of lobbyist Stewart Clifton to monitor bills of interest to Tennessee heritage advocates, and the Advocacy Committee met monthly to discuss these issues. Other ongoing TPT projects included a groundbreaking economic impact study on how the state's historic places contribute to the economy, and a comprehensive survey of places associated with the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville. Heritage advocates from around the state came to Nashville as the Ten in Tennessee list was unveiled at a press conference in the old Supreme Court Chamber at the State Capitol on May 10th. McNeely,Piggot, and Fox Public Relations generously donated $6000 in company time to help make the publicity campaign for the list an unprecedented success, and coverage was widespread. On May 21st, the Elkmont Historic District was announced as one of the Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places in America by the National Trust. The nomination was sponsored by TPT, and marked only the second time that a Tennessee property had been named to the national list in the 17 year history of the program. During the summer months, TPT held the Toast of Tennessee in Knoxville on July 10th, and the group continued to be actively involved with numerous local preservation issues.  In the fall, TPT held the State Preservation Awards in Chattanooga, and the Annual Membership Meeting and Ramble in Brownsville.  Thanks to a vigorous membership campaign, by November the organization's membership topped 500 entries for the first time.

TPT continued to hit its stride in 2005. The Statewide Preservation Conference in Chattanooga in April featured Don Rypkema, the nation's leading expert on the economic benefits of historic properties, as the keynote speaker. His address coincided with the release of TPT's groundbreaking report "Banking on Tennessee History: The Economic Value of Historic Preservation to the People of Tennessee."  This guide shows the direct benefits that reusing and revitalizing historic places provide to help employ people and add to tax bases in communities across the state.  In the spring, TPT helped introduce and get an important resolution unanimously passed by the State General Assembly in support of the preservation of the Elkmont Historic District. TPT also sponsored the successful application of Jonesborough to be named as one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2005.

Since 2006, TPT has improved staffing and facilities, enhanced its programs, and continued to focus on partnerships.  In 2006, TPT held a successful statewide conference in Knoxville.  An online newsletter debuted in spring 2006.  In May, the organization took a major step as it hired its first administrative assistant, Bud Alley.  In August the organization moved its offices to a historic building on Music Row.  In 2007, Franklin treated preservationists to rich educational sessions and entertaining events at the spring TPT conference.   In July 2007, Dan Brown began work as TPT's second executive director after Patrick McIntyre left to serve as executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission.  The 2008 Statewide Preservation Conference will take place in Maury County, in Columbia, Tennessee, from 5-7 June. 

As you have read this, we hope you have taken a moment to reflect on our ongoing work and will consider joining our efforts if you are not currently a member.  By investing in the Tennessee Preservation Trust, you are directly helping to positively impact preservation efforts in the state.