State Rep. Rick Scarbrough, R-Oak Ridge, and State Rep. Ed Butler, R-Rickman, announced $179,413 in grant funding was awarded to several Anderson County museums for capital improvements.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Rick Scarbrough, R-Oak Ridge, and State Rep. Ed Butler, R-Rickman, announced $179,413 in grant funding was awarded to several Anderson County museums for capital improvements.
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.
“Preserving our community’s history is essential and we’re grateful to all the museums and organizations who help us do that,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “This grant funding will help them make necessary updates so they can continue educating and inspiring Anderson County for years to come.”
Local grant recipients include:
- American Museum of Science and Energy: $17,000 to support visitor access and ADA needs for visitors
- Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge: $18,850 to support a plumbing improvement project
- Coal Creek Miner’s Museum: $42,063 to support building foundation work and ADA needs for visitors
- Mayme Carmichael School Organization: $46,500 to support building improvements
- Museum of Appalachia: $55,000 to support an electrical improvement project
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.
Rick Scarbrough represents House District 33 which includes part of Anderson County.
Ed Butler represents House District 41 which includes Overton, Morgan and part of Anderson, Fentress and Roane counties.
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