🏛️ Van Buren County Museum Secures $60,300 Grant for Historic Courthouse Restoration

The Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum has won a second consecutive state grant to preserve the Old Van Buren County Courthouse on the square in Spencer, bringing total restoration funding to $85,300. The award marks a significant milestone in protecting a nearly two-century-old structure that houses irreplaceable local collections and county history.

📍 What the Grant Will Fund

The $60,300 award from the Tennessee State Museum’s 2026-2027 Capital Maintenance and Improvements Grant Program will tackle two critical preservation needs. The largest portion-$53,600-will cover a complete standing-seam metal roof replacement, removing the existing roofing down to the wood decking and installing new underlayment, flashing around all four chimneys, and related components. An additional $6,700 will improve the building’s drainage system through replacement gutters, downspouts, and gutter guards. ✨

These improvements address water intrusion problems the museum has been managing, including a leaking chimney and moisture-related damage that have accumulated over decades. The courthouse roof, to the museum’s knowledge, has not undergone a complete replacement in approximately 30 years.

🔨 Building on Last Year’s Progress

In 2025, the museum received $25,000 through the same state grant program, supplemented by more than $11,000 in Van Buren County support. That funding enabled masonry restoration and installation of a new HVAC system-work that this year’s award will help protect and build upon. The cumulative investment reflects a sustained commitment to safeguarding the historic structure and the collections entrusted to the museum’s care. 💪

🤝 Community Effort Behind the Achievement

The museum credited Van Buren County Commissioners, county administration, and several individuals for making the grant possible. Lisa Cope assisted in compiling and submitting the application, while Melinda Starkey coordinated the award and acceptance process with the state. Museum board members-President Jimmy Hodges, Treasurer David Cook, Vice President Donna Sullivan, and Restoration Associate Kyler Boyd-gathered project estimates and advanced restoration planning. Board Secretary Justin Alan Aughinbaugh prepared the written grant responses. ❤️

📚 Additional Museum Improvements

Beyond the roof project, the museum recently gained Wi-Fi access following county commissioner approval. The connectivity will support ongoing efforts to digitize historical records and expand public access to collections. The museum is open 10:00 AM-3:00 PM on the first and third Saturdays of each month at its location on the square in Spencer.

🏛️ What Comes Next

Once the grant acceptance process is complete, Van Buren County will move forward with a competitive bidding process for the roof and drainage work. Museum leadership emphasized that receiving the grant is the beginning of the next restoration phase, with substantial work ahead. Updates will be shared as the project develops and construction timelines become clear.