GRAY, Tenn. — An important gathering took place on Tuesday as the Tennessee Douglas Henry State Museum Commission held its quarterly meeting at the Boones Creek Historical Trust’s Museum and Opry. This visit was part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to engage with communities across the state.

A significant topic on the agenda was the discussion of state Capital Maintenance and Improvement Grants. The Boones Creek Historical Trust was among the beneficiaries to receive one of these grants during the meeting, marking a moment of celebration for the local community.

The financial support for these grants stems from a $5 million allocation by the Tennessee General Assembly, as detailed in the 2025-2026 Appropriations Act. This funding is specifically earmarked for grants aimed at museums that are either 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or affiliated with governmental entities, with a focus on capital maintenance and improvements.

State Sen. Bo Watson, who chairs the commission, emphasized the importance of capturing the diverse stories that make up the history of Tennessee. In a conversation with News Channel 11, he remarked, “This is the way you tell Tennessee’s story, right? Each story in Tennessee originates from a particular community, and the museum, through its grant program, aims to assist local communities in narrating their historical stories. These stories collectively contribute to the broader Tennessee narrative. What you see here is the Boones Creek story.”

“I mean, this is the way you tell Tennessee’s story, right?” Watson told News Channel 11. “It’s each story in Tennessee comes from a particular community, and the museum, through its grant program, tries to help local communities tell their historical story. And that story fits into the fabric that is the Tennessee story. So what you see here is the Boones Creek story.”

Watson added that he thinks it’s important to protect artifacts and stories from the past that help tell the heritage of the community.

“The Tennessee Capital Improvement Grants continue to support and strengthen the infrastructure of institutions preserving our state and local history and culture,” said Ashley Howell, Tennessee State Museum Executive Director, in a release. “We are honored to help support the commitment of those institutions to better serve their communities and visitors through collection care and visitor accessibility these last three years. We are inspired by the dedication of their staff and volunteers. None of it would be possible, of course, without the State of Tennessee’s unwavering support for Tennessee history.”

Along with the Boones Creek Historical Trust, the following additional regional trusts, government entities that manage historical sites or museums received state grant funding:

• Broylesville Archives & Museum (Limestone): $35,310
• Butler & Watauga Valley Heritage Association, Inc. (Johnson Co.): $40,617
• Dickson-Williams Historical Association, Inc. (Greeneville): $53,200
• Earnest Family Fort House, Inc. (Greene Co.): $87,550
• George L Carter Railroad Museum Inc. (Johnson City): $50,000
• Hands On Discovery Center (Gray): $47,356
• Price Public Community Center and Swift Museum (Hawkins Co.): $95,000
• TN Dept. of Environment & Conservation; Sycamore Shoals State (Carter Co.): $50,000
• Tipton-Haynes Historical Association, Inc. (Johnson City): $75,000
• Town of Bulls Gap (Hawkins Co.): $65,000
• Town of Jonesborough (Washington Co.): $99,655