Historic Preservation

The East Tennessee Development District region has a diverse and rich heritage readily reflected in its surviving historic and cultural landscapes.The region's built environment exhibits a full range of historic architectural possibilites--from monumental civic buildings to frontier period log structures; antebellum plantations to twentieth-century urban row houses; from agricultural farm complexes to the engineered landscape of the Tennnessee Valley Authority.Whether a mining village or a main-street business-district, a community church, a school, a cemetery, or an entire cultural landscapes, these resources represent the rich heritage of all East Tennesseans. Underlying the practice of preservation is the notion that these sites and buildings are worth recognizing, honoring and protecting as physical reminders of our collective and individual memory, as places that form the very cornerstone of community life and identity, as artifacts that convey each regions distinctive sense of place. In addition to these more philosophical motivations, historic preservation has also proven a highly effective tool in the revitalization of main street business districts, the adjacent historic neighborhoods that support local business and in generating a vital heritage tourism industry. Thus, preservation offers not only the satisfaction of knowing that recognized resources will be protected for future generations, but also the promise of significant economic revitalization.

The position of Historic Preservation Planner is funded in part by the Tennessee Historical Commission, which receives funds from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Federal grant funds for historic preservation activities are made available to states under the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Through this grant contract, ETDD is able to provide information regarding historic preservation programs and practices, assist with the completion of a statewide cultural resource survey, facilitate the nomination of properties to the National Register of Historic Places, provide protection for significant cultural resources through involvement in the project review procedures established under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and to further the goals of the historic preservation Grants-in-Aid programs by assisting in the preparation of grant applications.

Below is a brief description of some of the program areas:

Survey and Planning
County surveys produce a comprehensive written and photographic record of local historic resources fifty years old or older for posterity. In addition to the files generated for every surveyed property, it is noted which resources appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Thus, surveys form a solid foundation for future preservation planning and research efforts and can considerably simplify the environmental review process required for all federally funded projects. As a mandated program area of the Tennessee Historical Commission, county survey projects are typically funded with Historic Preservation Fund grants, though non-traditional funding sources may also be utilized in some instances. ETDD's preservation planner is available to provide funding procurement assistance, training in historic resources survey techniques and methodologies, and supervision of county survey projects.

National Register of Historic Places
The National Register is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Properties listed in the National Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in America's history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. Its primary goals are to foster a national preservation ethic, promote a greater understanding of America's heritage and increase and broaden the public's understanding and appreciation of historic places. In the past two years, ETDD has prepared eight nominations to the National Register.

Section 106 Review
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their actions on historic properties and provide the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment on federal projects prior to implementation. Section 106 Review encourages, but does not mandate, preservation. Section 106 Review does ensure that preservation values are factored into federal agency planning and decisions. Each year, ETDD prepares approximately 55 Section 106 Reviews.

Grantsmanship
ETDD staff prepares several grants each year on behalf of cities, counties, and non-profit organizations for preservation-related activities. Past grants include rehabilitation of historic structures, surveys of historic and cultural resources, and planning grants for historic preservation initiatives.

You may contact Donna Emerson with questions: demerson@etdd.org