NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager, Representative Ron Travis and Secretary Hargett awarded an archival grant to the Rhea County Archives on Friday, Feb. 10, 2022. 

“I’m very pleased these funds are being allocated to help preserve Rhea County’s proud history,” said Sen. Yager (R-Kingston), Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus. “These funds will ensure proper storage of our records for generations to come. I applaud local officials and Secretary Hargett for their partnership in making this happen.” 

"The Rhea County Archives is home to some of our community’s most important and irreplaceable historical records. This grant will help ensure those documents continue to be properly stored and accessible for future generations,” said Rep. Ron Travis (R-Dayton). “I am thankful to Secretary Hargett and everyone at the archives for their commitment to preserving the history of Rhea County.”  

Archival grants, which are used to support local archive development across the state, are funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered by the Tennessee State Library & Archives, a division of the Department of State. The Rhea County Archives received a $3,000 archives development grant to purchase steel shelving to provide additional proper storage for Rhea County records. 

“Archive grants are a critical piece to preserving local history by helping protect irreplaceable county documents that are invaluable to Tennessee’s history,” said Secretary Hargett. “This grant is one way to ensure the stories of Rhea County residents live on for the benefit of future generations. 

More than $45,000 in state funds is being awarded to develop and enhance 21 archives across Tennessee.