(865) 238-5600

Community Impact

Knox Heritage serves at the intersection of progress and preservation, honoring our mission to preserve, restore, and transform historically significant structures, places, and neighborhoods. Our members are a community of preservationists focused on advocacy, education, investment, and engagement.

We fulfill our mission in three key ways:

Preservation
  • You contribute to the Vintage Properties Fund to restore blighted properties and assist with neighborhood stabilization and revitalization. Because of you, Knox Heritage can embark on renovations to save their unique architecture and presence in a neighborhood.
  • Through your support, you steward Historic Westwood, a Knoxville gem that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the Historic House Museums of Knoxville, and is nationally recognized by the Historic Artists’ Home & Studios program.
  • You protect historic properties in Knoxville and surrounding counties through Preservation Easements administered by Knox Heritage, ensuring properties are protected from demolition and inappropriate renovations in perpetuity.
  • You inspire advocacy and action by supporting Knox Heritage’s initiatives to keep our community informed, to host workshops and tours, and to provide Educational and Networking Opportunities to enhance public awareness of the benefits of historic preservation.
Education
  • Delivering programming such as the Preservation Network series, a fun and informative opportunity to gather with fellow preservation enthusiasts, featuring workshops, film screening, lectures, etc.
  • Providing Technical Assistance to developers and property owners, including federal rehabilitation tax credits and national register nominations
  • Hosting the annual East Tennessee Preservation Conference, a cherished event for those who value historic preservation and want to learn more about its power in our communities
Celebration
  • Recognizing outstanding preservation projects and individuals via the annual East Tennessee Preservation Awards
  • Engaging the community with our Summer Suppers, carefully planned fundraising dinners that highlight various historic places and spaces in and around Knoxville
  • Honoring the Preservationist of the Year at our annual Scruffy City Soirée, an event that celebrates our shared work and raises funds for continuing historic preservation efforts