News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Fentress County Historical Society will apply for a grant from the Tennessee State Museum to fund several building improvement projects.
Secretary-Treasurer Laura Acosta-King said the building has needed thorough renovations ever since it flooded almost three years ago. Acosta-King said they are looking at repairs to piping and HVAC throughout the building, as well as a total replacement of the roof.
“In total right now with the numbers that I’ve been gathering we need anywhere from like $38,000 on up to $60,000 and I won’t have an exact number until I get through the bid process with Tyler (Arms) and we narrow it down to an actual contractor that we’re going to use,” Acosta-King said.
Acosta-King said she is working on the application with Finance Director Tyler Arms because the building is owned by the county. She said it is important to maintain the society because there is a lot of history and local folklore that can be substantiated with their records.
“We were just in a historical society meeting yesterday with over a hundred and twelve people in attendance where we were discussing one of our ledgers that had court transcripts and things from the Civil War,” Acosta-King said.
Acosta-King said she has proposed to cut off water flow to the upstairs portion of the building as part of the renovation effort.
“It’s not used,” Acosta-King said. “It’s dormant now ’cause everyone moved over to the main courthouse that used to use it and we use it for storage and so does everyone else, and we don’t really need water in a storage area.”
Acosta-King said it is also important to preserve Fentress County’s history in order to protect its identity as it grows.
“It’s changing, it’s growing, it’s becoming positive, it’s getting life to it,” Acosta-King said. “People cherish our area and this museum is so critical in helping to maintain that feeling of connectivity and being a citizen not only of Fentress County and Tennessee, but being an American citizen is just so precious and held so dear here.”
Acosta-King said the application is due on August 26 and the grant awards will be announced in October.
