NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Historical Commission (THC), the state agency that is designated as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), is pleased to announce that it has completed Tennessee’s Historic Preservation Plan to guide the agency over the next decade. The plan was recently approved by the National Park Service and has been posted online.
“This will shape our office’s work as we strive to fulfill our mission to preserve and protect the places associated with Tennessee’s heritage,” notes State Historic Preservation Officer and THC Executive Director Patrick McIntyre.
One of the duties of the office under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, is to develop and periodically update a historic preservation plan for the state. The first plan debuted in 1970, and the new edition will be in place through 2029.
Contained within the document is information on the state’s socioeconomic environment, historic and cultural resources, case studies and summaries of threats to historic preservation. The plan includes sections on public outreach and preservation partners. Part of the writing process included soliciting ideas from the citizens of Tennessee on their ideas and hopes for historic preservation in the state. An online survey was sent to organizations and individuals in all 95 counties. THC analyzed these responses to help set the goals, objectives and strategies that will guide its historic preservation work. The document was prepared by New South Associates in close coordination with the staff of the THC.
The goals of the plan are to sustain public outreach, continue to develop and promote practices that protect the state’s historic resources, document historic resources, and revitalize communities. The comprehensive plan and an executive summary can be accessed by going to THC’s webpage at tnhistoricalcommission.org. Click on Federal Programs, and then go to “Tennessee’s Plan for Historic Preservation.”
For additional information on the comprehensive plan, please contact Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Claudette Stager at Claudette.stager@tn.gov.