Senate finance committee approves Tennessee State Museum's modest budget increase for visitor center, new military museum space

The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee on March 10 approved the Tennessee State Museum's budget request that includes a $512,000 increase to support operations at a new military museum capital center and an expanded visitor center.

Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum, said the funds would support five new positions (three program assistants for tours and programming and two store positions), start-up costs for the new museum store and operational expenses tied to the facility scheduled to open in January 2027. Howell said the museum has moved more than 90,000 artifacts into a new storage facility and continues work to preserve and catalogue the state collection.

Grant program and statewide reach

Howell also described a $5 million annual legislative capital grant program the museum administers for small museums across Tennessee. In three years the program has awarded funds to 180 museums in 73 counties for capital projects (HVAC, roof, foundation and water mitigation). Howell said roughly 58% of grantees reported that the capital grant helped them leverage additional funding.

Vote

Chairman Watson called the motion to approve the museum budget, which was properly seconded. During roll call, Senator Hale recorded a "No" vote; other named members recorded "Aye." The clerk announced the budgets approved and the committee adjourned.

Attributions: testimony and budget specifics are attributed to Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum.