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The Coffee County Historical Society recently received an $8,500 grant for Tennessee America 250 initiatives from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semi quincentennial. That will be used for a Vietnam War Oral History project to document the experience of military service personnel and their families during the Vietnam War in Coffee County.

“The mission of the Coffee County Historical Society is to preserve and document the history of Coffee County and to educate the community on our shared heritage. The Vietnam War was a significant event that affected many local families and we want to capture their experiences in their own words while we still can do so, “ said Bonnie Gamble, Project Administrator for Coffee County Historical Society.

The State of Tennessee made available $6,435,000 to the Tennessee State Museum to administer on behalf of the Commission, with the majority of funding to be regranted to Tennessee communities to support statewide America 250 activities.

The first round of the Tennessee America 250 grant program was a highly competitive process. In total, the Commission received 220 applications, totaling $3,995,982 in requests. The Commission has made full or partial awards for 80 grants across the state, representing 37 counties, for a total of $1,566,325 awarded. A complete list of first round Tennessee America 250 grantees, counties and amounts is posted at www.tn250.com. A second round of grants will open for application in mid-November.

“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250^th anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum and Chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semi quincentennial. “Next year will be filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals, and preservation of our local and state history. We hope that these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to engage with the anniversary in 2026.”

The Tennessee America 250 Project Support Grants and Community Support Grants had maximum request amounts of $20,000 and $25,000, respectively. All projects funded in the first round must be completed by April 30, 2027.

About Coffee County Historical Society

The Coffee County Historical Society began in 1969 and is a 501 ©3 organization. The operation and activities of the society is done completely by dedicated volunteers and there is no paid staff.  The Coffee County Historical Society is located in the historic Coffee County Courthouse. The society operates a research library, manages the Joanna Lewis Museum for Coffee County History, and an extensive photographic media collection. All the services provided are free and the society depends on memberships and donations for operation. The society’s hours are Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

About Tennessee Commission for the United States Semi quincentennial

The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semi quincentennial was legislatively established by Public Chapter 384 of the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019. The Assembly created the Commission to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and recognize Tennessee’s integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. For more information on Commission activities, please visit www.tn250.com.

About Tennessee State Museum

Celebrating its 88th Anniversary in 2025, the Tennessee State Museum, is the administrative attachment of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semi quincentennial. The Museum is located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. It is home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.

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