News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Pall Mall’s Center for Peace and Valor wants to begin building restorations and are currently raising money for the project.
“Right now, what needs to be done is more fundraising,” Executive Director of the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation Debbie York said. “We’ve completed just over $2.6 million from stabilization, maintenance and upkeep on the building.”
York first laid out plans for the complete restoration of the 23,000 square foot building last year. She said the initial estimate stood at $12 to $15 million.
“Our plan is to set up programming and a budget for future use, so the building is always open and available and programming is free through the center,” York said.
The Sgt. York Center for Peace and Valor is the only school building in the country built and ran by a Medal of Honor recipient. York said 250,000 tourists come and visit the Sgt. York State Park each year. She wants the newly restored Center for Peace and Valor to be an addition to Tennessee tourism.
“Nobody quite knows what life is going to look like after the pandemic, but we have high hopes we will rebound and be stronger with more tourists,” York said.
York said restoration would not interfere with classes and programming. They hope to begin the restoration this fall.
