Tennessee Association of Museums

08/15/2026

Don’t forget that the Capital Maintenance and Improvements Grant application is open until August 25th!
For more information check out TNMuseum.org/grants.

Grant applications are now open! 📢 For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, the Tennessee General Assembly included a direct appropriation in the amount of $5 million to the Tennessee State Museum “for the sole purpose of providing grants to museums with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or affiliated with a governmental entity for capital maintenance and improvements” (Section 61, Item 21 of the 2026-2027 Appropriations Act).

We are happy to once again facilitate this program and help museums and historic sites throughout Tennessee. If your organization would like to apply for this year’s round of funding, the application is now open and available on our website.

Learn more and apply online at TNMuseum.org/grants. This year's application deadline 🗓️ is August 25, 2026.

08/10/2026

Welcome to Board Member Mondays! Let's meet Neecole Gregory!

What is your TAM Board Position?
- West TN Conference Chair

What museum do you work at and what is your position there?
- Morton Museum of Collierville History, Museum Director

What made you want to work in the museum field?
- Pure chance really! I went for my MA in Egyptian Art and Archaeology but the field I had spent my life preparing to be a part of was not fulfilling me the way I had hoped. The Head of the Egyptology Department suggested I pursue the Museum field, as she believed my personality and vision were best suited for engaging the public, and connecting them with history. I switched majors and have never looked back. While my heart remains in the ancient world and archaeology, I do enjoy making the next generation as obsessed as I am!

What is your favorite "secret" or "hidden gem" about your museum?
- The Morton Museum is a pretty open book, literally! Because it was once a well-attended church since the late 1800s, a lot of Collierville locals know more about it than we do. It was also built with an extremely open floor plan. While we have a lot of legends and folk stories about the Museum, there isn't much about it physically that is a hidden gem.

What is a TN Museum that you have never visited but is high on your list?
- Stax Museum of American Soul of Music — I live less than 20 minutes away and have just never gotten over there to see it!

08/03/2026

Welcome to Board Member Mondays! Let's meet Janet Palmore!

What is your TAM Board Position?
- My name is Janet Palmore, and I serve as the Vice President for Middle Tennessee on the Tennessee Association of Museums Board.

What museum do you work at and what is your position there?
- Professionally, I am the Museum Director and Curator at the Robertson County History Museum in Springfield, Tennessee.

What made you want to work in the museum field?
- My passion for history and preservation led me to pursue a career in the museum field. I believe museums play an important role in preserving our shared heritage, connecting communities to their past, and inspiring future generations. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is helping students and visitors discover the rich history of Robertson County and understand how local stories contribute to the broader story of Tennessee.

What is your favorite "secret" or "hidden gem" about your museum? (for example, my museum has a secret spy box that was used by the postmaster)
- One of my favorite stories about our building is that during its years as Springfield's post office, a catwalk once crossed above the center of the main workroom. While the catwalk is no longer there today, evidence within the building suggests it existed and was likely used by supervisors to observe activity below. It is one of those small details that helps bring the building's history to life and reminds us of the many stories connected to this historic structure.

What is a TN Museum that you have never visited but is high on your list?
- A Tennessee museum that is high on my list to visit is the East Tennessee Historical Society Museum. I am always interested in learning how museums across our state interpret and share their local history, and I would enjoy exploring the exhibits and collections that tell the story of East Tennessee.

07/27/2026

Welcome to Board Member Mondays! Let's meet Beth Thompson!

What is your TAM Board Position?
- Membership Chair. Don’t forget to renew. 😉

What museum do you work at and what is your position there?
- City of Cookeville (Depot/History) Museums Manager.

What made you want to work in the museum field?
- It was a complete accident!

What is your favorite "secret" or "hidden gem" about your museum?
- We have a cast-iron railroad sign from our Tennessee Central line that made its way to Moscow, Idaho—and back.

What is a TN Museum that you have never visited but is high on your list?
- The International Towing and Recovery Museum in Chattanooga.

07/20/2026

Welcome to Board Member Mondays! Let's meet Tori Mason!

What is your TAM Board Position?
- Awards Committee Chair

What museum do you work at and what is your position there?
- Grassmere Historic Farm and Croft House, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere - Historic Site Manager

What made you want to work in the museum field?
- I came about it not in the usual way! I was an animal keeper for 30 years, taking care of everything from gorillas and orangutans to zebras and antelope, birds of prey and waterfowl to carnivores. When I moved to Nashville in 1995, it was to be a zookeeper at a place that had a beautiful history and an old house. I became the farm manager when the zoo took over managing the property, taking care of livestock and supervising staff. When the house manager left on maternity leave, I took over managing the rest of the historic property, and haven't looked back. Personally, my family has 4 generations of farmers, and my grandmother and great-aunt instilled in me a great sense of family history and the importance of legacy. And I always loved going to the Kansas History Museum as a kid. Mom would drop me off and let me wander for hours on my own. So I suppose this was always in me. It just needed to get to where it could get out!

What is your favorite "secret" or "hidden gem" about your museum?
- The name etched in a pane of glass! Our only allowed 'graffiti' 🙂

What is a TN Museum that you have never visited but is high on your list?
- I've never been to the Reece Museum in Johnson City, and I'd love to go to the Morgan County Heritage Museum in Wartburg, they do such cool things!

07/01/2026

Grant applications are now open! 📢 For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, the Tennessee General Assembly included a direct appropriation in the amount of $5 million to the Tennessee State Museum “for the sole purpose of providing grants to museums with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or affiliated with a governmental entity for capital maintenance and improvements” (Section 61, Item 21 of the 2026-2027 Appropriations Act).

We are happy to once again facilitate this program and help museums and historic sites throughout Tennessee. If your organization would like to apply for this year’s round of funding, the application is now open and available on our website.

Learn more and apply online at TNMuseum.org/grants. This year's application deadline 🗓️ is August 25, 2026.

05/18/2026

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ The Tennessee State Museum 2026-27 Capital Maintenance and Improvements Grant applications will open soon on July 1, 2026. The application deadline is TBA.

For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, the Tennessee General Assembly included a direct appropriation in the amount of $5 million to the Tennessee State Museum “for the sole purpose of providing grants to museums with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or affiliated with a governmental entity for capital maintenance and improvements” (Section 61, Item 21 of the 2026-2027 Appropriations Act). This grant will once again be facilitated by the State Museum and is open to museums located in Tennessee.

To see more grant information, please visit our website 🔗: https://tnmuseum.org/grants

05/01/2026

New Job openings at the Tennessee State Museum!

We are hiring! ✨ The Tennessee State Museum continues to evolve as it expands programming, enhances visitor engagement, and deepens its commitment to sharing the history and culture of Tennessee with communities across the state. To support this growing scope of work, the Museum is strengthening its professional team with new positions focused on visual storytelling, site management, creative services, and community engagement.

The expansion includes the following roles:
✨ Graphics Designer
✨ Museum Preparator
✨ Capitol Visitor Services Manager
✨ Volunteer Manager
✨ Collections Photographer

Apply now online ➡️: https://tnmuseum.org/jobs

04/08/2026

Hey, TAMfam! Don't forget about these upcoming virtual opportunities next week!

April 13th-14th - For more information about the virtual summit on "Strengthening the History Workforce": https://aaslh.org/workforce-summit/

April 16th - For more information about the free webinar on "Advanced Photo Perseveration 101": https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MvzH_KGTT7CHVAvlwzqn4w