News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Pickett County Historical Society is searching for grant funding to make repairs to the Amonett House.
The house was built in the 1830’s and is possibly the oldest free standing home in the county. Pickett County Historical Society Vice President Richard Pierce said the house remains closed to prevent further damage.
“The floor in the house needs to be studied and made where it would be more solid for people to go inside and see the house,” Pierce said. “And then, the kitchen is rotting away and will have to be replaced.”
Pierce said an agricultural museum and office for the historical society could be added to the property if grant funding is found. The society applied for a TDOT grant last month and received high praise from the state. But, faced too much competition.
The Amonett family donated the house and 10-acres of land to the county around 10 to 15 years ago. The house is located at the junction of TN-111 and TN-325 in Byrdstown.
Last month, the historical society proposed to the county commission funding the project with a tourism enhancement grant. The commission rejected the idea after a past grant lost the county $400,000. The grant pointed to the Dale Hollow Lake Welcome Center, which was an earlier phase of the project surrounding the Amonett House.
