Two Parks, Fresh Funding, Big Plans
This year, Tennessee’s state parks are stepping into the future with a little help from the past. Two parks with deep historic roots are about to turn fresh funding into richer experiences in time for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. As part of a statewide initiative to celebrate Tennessee’s history, Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park and Johnsonville State Historic Park will receive targeted grants to bolster interpretation, programming, and preservation tied to Tennessee’s place in the nation’s story.
Located in Pickett County, Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park honors the life of the “Father of the United Nations,” Tennessee’s own Nobel Peace Prize winner and former U.S. Secretary of State. With its long overdue interpretive plan coming to life, visitors can expect a refreshed sense of context when exploring Hull’s early years and global legacy
Down in Humphreys County, Johnsonville State Historic Park holds the remnants of a Civil War river port and battlefield tied to President Andrew Johnson’s story. Here, the grant funding will be used to install permanent markers at the African Methodist Cemetery, safeguarding the stories of veterans from both the Civil War and World War I and honoring a vital chapter in local history
What This Means for Visitors
These improvements do more than add plaques and paint; they will make history come alive in places where it already happened. Park visitors will see benefits like:
- Updated interpretive exhibits and master planning for museum spaces
- Preserved historic features that invite closer engagement
- More opportunities to learn while exploring trails and park grounds
Both parks are part of Tennessee’s participation in Tennessee America 250, an effort to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial by showcasing the unique stories, landmarks, and contributions that define Tennessee’s role in American history.
From expanded ranger programs to thoughtful exhibits and markers, these investments reflect a bigger statewide push to make parks educational hubs, not just scenic escapes. For communities near Pickett County or Humphreys County, that means local history gets the spotlight, and park experiences become richer for visitors of all ages.
Better storytelling and preserved sites make parks more meaningful for return visits, school outings, history fans, and casual wanderers alike. When the nation celebrates 250 years, Tennessee’s state parks will be ready with deeper context and sharper focus on the stories that helped shape the country.
Get up close and personal with Tennessee’s history at guidetotennessee.com/museums.
