News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Lowell Russell, R-Vonore, and State Sen. Tom Hatcher, R-Maryville, announced $55,084 in grant funding was awarded to Friends of Sequoyah for capital improvements at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.

The funds are part of a $5 million appropriation approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in the 2025-26 state budget for the Tennessee State Museum Capital Maintenance and Improvement program.  

“For nearly four decades, the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum has been a cornerstone for preserving Cherokee history and sharing Sequoyah’s remarkable legacy,” Russell said. “These improvements will help the museum continue that mission for years to come. Thank you to the Tennessee State Museum for their support.”

Friends of Sequoyah plans to use the funding to support building improvements including door replacement and bat proofing.

“The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum is an important part of East Tennessee’s cultural and historical landscape,” Hatcher said. “This investment will help preserve the legacy of Sequoyah and the Cherokee Nation while ensuring that future generations can learn from and appreciate this vital piece of our shared history. I’m proud to see state resources supporting an institution that continues to educate, inspire, and connect our communities.”

There were more than 170 grant applications in 2025, totaling $12 million in funding requests, according to the Tennessee State Museum. 

As of this release, the Museum has made full or partial awards to 99 museums across the state, representing 46 counties. In the three years of the grant program, the Museum has supported 173 museums in 73 counties across the state. 

For a full list of grantees, counties and amounts, visit: https://tnmuseum.org/grants.

Lowell Russell represents House District 21 which includes part of Loudon and Monroe Counties.

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