Tennessee Civil War
national heritage area
Telling the whole story of America's greatest challenge
1860-1875
About us
The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area tells the whole story of America's greatest challenge, 1860-1875: the powerful stories of vicious warfare, the demands of the home front and occupation, the freedom of emancipation, and the enduring legacies of Reconstruction. We provide leadership and support to organizations across Tennessee, creating opportunities for education, interpretation, preservation, and economic development.
Leveraging federal, state, local and private funding, we empower communities and individuals to serve as good stewards of their historic places and stories. Professional Services and Outreach helps property owners and organizations develop heritage programs and projects. Through Collaborative Partnerships, organizations, local governments, and non-profits can apply for 50/50 matching funds for projects including interpretive tours, exhibits, educational materials, and preservation planning. For a copy of the application and instructions, click here.
Interested in learning more about what we do? Many of the Heritage Area's projects and reports have been digitized and are available here.
October 2023: The Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History is bringing the Community Curation Program to Nashville! For the entire month of October, they will be headquartered at Fisk University's John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library, working with great community partners, developing engaging programming, and digitizing materials for local institutions, organizations, and community members. To learn more about this great opportunity, click here.
TEnnessee civil war 150 and The Citizenship Project Documentaries
In partnership with the Heritage Area, Nashville Public Television and the Renaissance Center have created two documentary series that explore life in Tennessee during the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the postwar years that followed. These Regional Emmy award-winning documentaries discuss the influences of music, religion, new roles for women, transportation along rivers and rails, and the experiences of African-Americans during and after the war in the quest for full citizenship. To watch these documentaries, click on the button below.
Visit the Heritage Center
Of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County
Located at 225 West College Street, the Heritage Center is a partnership between the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University, and Main Street Murfreesboro/Rutherford County, Inc. All exhibits and tours are free and open to the public. Click here to learn more and plan a visit.
A program of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University
What's New
Tennessee Civil War Trails
Check out the Tennessee Civil War Trails, a Heritage Area partnership with the TN Departments of Tourist Development that tells our Civil War and Reconstruction story through over 400 trails markers across the state.
This Year's Annual Report
The Center for Historic Preservation and Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area's latest Annual Report is available for viewing. Read more about the Heritage Area's initiatives in this year's report.
What's New
Nashville Sites, the Metro Historical Commission’s free walking/driving program, launched its Civil War and Battle of Nashville tour sponsored by the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area and the CHP. Try the tour now!