Tennessee Preservation Trust Releases 'Ten in Tennessee'

Historic Treasures Across the State Threatened by Lack of Funding, Neglect

The Tennessee Preservation Trust has released the annual “Ten in Tennessee” list of the state’s most endangered historic treasures. The list was announced during a news conference held in the old Supreme Court Chamber of the state Capitol on Wednesday, May 25. “As in past years, the list recognizes a wide variety of the special historic places that help make Tennessee unique,” said Executive Director Patrick McIntyre. “Each of us can play a role in helping protect these sites and pass them along to future generations.”

The 2005 list includes two Memphis buildings: the c. 1927 Crosstown Sears building and the c. 1840s Anderson-Coward House, known as the long-time home of Justine’s Restaurant.

Anderson-Coward House (Justine's), photo by Fred Asbury

Also included are the 1864 Franklin Battlefield; the c. 1920s Alvin York Institute in Jamestown; the c. 1911 President’s House at MTSU in Murfreesboro; the c. 1936 Central Elementary School in Union City; the c. 1880s Shake Rag community, a former mining town in rural Marion County; the Mount Olivet Cemetery Office/Chapel in Nashville; the c. 1880 Matt Gardner Homestead in Giles County; and the mining sites of Coal Hill in Scott County.

Crosstown Sears building (photo by Fred Asbury)

For a complete summary of the listings, go to www.tennesseepreservationtrust.org.

Since 2001, the Tennessee Preservation Trust has announced the list based on nominations received from the public. The list highlights urban and rural places across the state to help garner public support for saving threatened historic resources.

The Tennessee Preservation Trust is a membership-supported, non-profit, statewide historic preservation advocacy and educational organization based in Nashville.

Crosstown Sears building (photo by Fred Asbury)