Preserve Chattanooga

08/10/2026

You may have missed this one: The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Shavin House in Chattanooga has been sold.

Completed in 1952, the Shavin House is one of Chattanooga’s most significant—and unusual—pieces of architectural history. The Times Free Press takes a look at the home, its history, and its recent sale.

Worth a read for anyone interested in Chattanooga’s remarkable historic places.

Read the full story in the Times Free Press: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/aug/08/frank-lloyd-wright-designed-shavin-house-in/

08/06/2026

🏭 From Textile Mill to Thriving Neighborhood

Chattanooga's historic Coosa Mill is once again bringing people together—not through industry, but through community. Once a cornerstone of the city's manufacturing heritage, the mill is now at the heart of the growing Mill Town neighborhood, where history and new investment are shaping a vibrant future.

If you're looking for a fun way to experience this evolving historic district, be sure to check out the Mill Town Street Fair! It's a great opportunity to explore local vendors, enjoy food and entertainment, and see firsthand how historic places can become catalysts for community renewal.

Read the full story from The Pulse: https://www.chattanoogapulse.com/citylife/community-spotlight/exploring-mill-town-from-abandoned-mills-to-a-thriving-new-c/

08/06/2026

Preserving Black Churches Grant Program Now Open: Apply today!

As the oldest institutions created and controlled by African Americans, historically Black churches are a living testament to the achievements and resiliency of generations of American families and communities.

To preserve and uplift these historic places and the neighborhoods they serve, the Preserving Black Churches grant program provides funding ranging from $50,000 to $500,000.

Do you know of a congregation in your community that could use support? No church is too small. No town is too remote.

The Preserving Black Churches grant program is a cornerstone initiative of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at . Since its first cohort in 2023, this program has provided $8.5 million in funding to support critical preservation work including building repair and programming interpretation that elevates the significance of the historically Black church’s cultural legacy.

Applications due September 11 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Learn more: https://savingplaces.org/black-churches

08/04/2026

🎭 A Chattanooga icon is ready to shine again.

After more than two years of restoration, the historic Tivoli Theatre is set to reopen this October, welcoming audiences back to one of our city's most treasured landmarks.

The Tivoli has been at the heart of Chattanooga's cultural life for more than a century, proving that investing in our historic places doesn't just preserve the past, it creates vibrant spaces for our future.

At Preserve Chattanooga, we celebrate projects like this because every restored historic building strengthens our community, supports our local economy, and keeps Chattanooga's unique story alive.

Congratulations to everyone who made this remarkable restoration possible. We can't wait to see the lights come back on at the "Jewel of the South."

Read the full story from The Pulse: https://www.chattanoogapulse.com/arts_entertainment/entertainment-news/historic-tivoli-theatre-set-to-reopen-in-october-after-two-y/

What's your favorite Tivoli memory? Share it in the comments!

08/04/2026

Tickets are officially on sale for Best Cellars! 🍷

Join us Friday, October 9, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at St. John's Restaurant for an elegant evening featuring curated wines from around the world and expertly paired cuisine.

Best Cellars offers an elegant tasting experience for wine lovers while raising important funds for Preserve Chattanooga’s mission to protect and celebrate our city’s architectural heritage.

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Lexus of Chattanooga, for helping make this exceptional evening possible.

Learn more and purchase your tickets at www.preservechattanooga.com/bestcellars.

08/04/2026

Tickets are officially on sale for Wine Over Water! 🍷

Join us Saturday, October 10, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Renaissance Park for an unforgettable afternoon of wine, community, and beautiful views, all while supporting Preserve Chattanooga’s mission to protect our city’s architectural heritage.

Guests will enjoy a wide variety of wines and delicious charcuterie boxes provided by Bleu Fox Cheese Shop.

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Food City, for helping make this signature Chattanooga event possible!

Learn more and purchase your tickets at www.preservechattanooga.com/wineoverwater.

07/27/2026

Historic preservation in America is at a critical crossroads.

Last week, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation voted to make significant changes to the federal Section 106 review process, the cornerstone of how the United States considers the impacts of federally funded and permitted projects on historic places.

Supporters argue the changes will streamline infrastructure and development projects. Critics warn they weaken protections for historic and cultural resources across the country.

NPR's latest 3-minute story offers a concise overview of what's at stake and why preservation organizations nationwide are

Whether you work in preservation, planning, architecture, archaeology, or simply care about the places that tell our nation's story, this is worth a listen.

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/23/nx-s1-5904435/section-106-review-trump-historic-preservation-council

Protecting the architectural heritage of Chattanooga through preservation, education, and advocacy.

07/24/2026

Last night, our Founding Members gathered at Petal and Pour | Floral Atelier & Café for an exclusive after hours experience inside the beautifully restored Elkins Building.

One of our favorite parts of being Preserve Chattanooga is creating opportunities for our members to connect with other people who share a love for Chattanooga, historic places, and the stories that make our city special.

We also love shining a spotlight on local businesses that are breathing new life into historic buildings. Petal and Pour is a wonderful example of how preservation and entrepreneurship can come together to create something truly special.

Want to join us at our next gathering? Preserve Chattanooga members receive invitations to exclusive experiences like this throughout the year, and memberships start at just $5/month.

We’d love to welcome you into our growing community 🤎

Become a member at preservechattanooga.com/memberships.

07/22/2026

On Friday, July 17, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) released a proposed rewrite of the federal regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, one of the nation's most important tools for protecting historic places.

If adopted, these changes would dramatically reduce public participation and shift much of the decision-making authority to federal agencies. Among the proposed changes are:

• Limiting opportunities for meaningful consultation with State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Nations, local governments, and preservation organizations.
• Narrowing when historic resources are reviewed and what qualifies for protection.
• Weakening requirements to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to historic places.

For more than 60 years, Section 106 has helped balance infrastructure, economic development, and community growth with the preservation of our nation's historic and cultural resources. It has never been about stopping projects. It has been about making better decisions through collaboration.

Learn more at: https://culturalheritagepartners.com/war-room-for-threats-to-section-106/

These proposed changes could affect how historic places across Tennessee, including those here in Chattanooga, are identified, reviewed, and protected. Stay informed, share this post, and follow Preserve Chattanooga as we continue advocating for preservation policies that give our community a voice in shaping its future.

07/20/2026

A new chapter for one of Chattanooga’s historic corridors?

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, and community leaders have launched Bring Back the BLVD, an initiative focused on attracting investment, supporting local businesses, and restoring Rossville Boulevard as a thriving commercial corridor.

For generations, Rossville Boulevard has been more than just a road — it has been a connection between communities, commerce, and history. When dedicated in April 1912, it was considered the city's finest stretch of roadway. A parade marked the occasion. In the 1920's, a portion of the Boulevard was designated a "Road of Remembrance" to honor soldiers. Two stone columns at 32nd Street still mark the entrance. The bronze plaque reads "FOUR AMERICAN ARMIES HAVE MARCHED OVER THIS ROAD. TWO OPPOSING ARMIES IN THE CIVIL WAR 1861-1865. ONE IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR 1898. AND THE LAST IN THE WORLD WAR 1917-1918." Over the decades, the Boulevard became home to neighborhood businesses, industries, auto dealerships, and gathering places that reflected the diversity and entrepreneurial spirit of our city.

Like many historic commercial corridors across America, Rossville Boulevard has faced challenges as development patterns changed. The proposed Opportunity Zone designation could help bring new attention and resources to this important gateway while honoring the people, businesses, and stories that have shaped the Boulevard for more than a century.

At Preserve Chattanooga, we believe historic places are not just about the past, they are about creating stronger communities for the future. We look forward to seeing how preservation, investment, and community vision can work together to bring back the BLVD.

Read more about this exciting initiative: https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/7/20/521143/City-County-Partnering-To-Revive.aspx