FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cassandra Taylor, Branch Manager
Smyrna Public Library
400 Enon Springs Rd. West, Smyrna, Tennessee 37167
ctaylor@rclstn.org
(615)459-4884
SMYRNA PUBLIC LIBRARY AWARDED A TENNESSEE AMERICA 250 GRANT FROM THE
TENNESSEE COMMISSION FOR THE UNITED STATES SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL
GRANT WILL BE USED FOR Walking Through History: An America 250 Festival at
Smyrna Public Library
SMYRNA, TENNESSEE, 3-19-26, SMYRNA PUBLIC LIBRARY is a recipient of a $25,000.00
grant for Tennessee America 250 initiatives from the Tennessee Commission for the United
States Semiquincentennial. The grant award will be used to organize a community event
Walking Through History: An America 250 Festival at Smyrna Public Library, a free, large-
scale community heritage event commemorating Tennessee’s America 250 on August 1, 2026,
from 10 AM to 3 PM. Funding prioritizes high-quality historical and cultural programming,
professional presentation infrastructure, and accessible, family-friendly experiences that
encourage public engagement with local and national history through public performances,
historical reenactments, cultural exhibits, and more. The Town of Smyrna serves as a primary
community partner for this project, integrating the festival into the town’s event calendar and
providing additional support by allowing Smyrna Public Library to utilize the Old Rock School
Park in Smyrna, Tennessee, for this event.
The State of Tennessee made available funding to be administered by the Tennessee State
Museum, on behalf of the Commission to support statewide America 250 activities.
The second round of the Tennessee America 250 grant program was a highly competitive
process. In total, the Commission received 365 applications, totaling $6,364,017 in requests.
The Commission has made full or partial awards for 194 grants across the state, representing
73 counties, for a total of $2,267,058 awarded. A complete list of second round Tennessee
America 250 grantees, counties and amounts is posted at www.tn250.com.
“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250 th
anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum and
Chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. “This year will be
filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals, and preservation of our local and state history. We
hope that these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to engage with the anniversary in
2026.”
“This grant is transformative for Smyrna Public Library, said Cassandra Taylor, Branch
Manager of Smyrna Public Library and grant recipient,” and directly advances the Rutherford
County Library System’s mission of explore, imagine, and engage. Through the Walking
Through History: An America 250 Festival, we are able to bring history to life in a dynamic,
accessible way that invites our entire community to connect with the stories that have shaped
our nation and our region. The support from the Tennessee America 250 initiative allows us to
expand beyond traditional programming and create an immersive, large-scale experience that
fosters curiosity, learning, and civic pride for all ages.”
The Tennessee America 250 Project Support Grants and Community Support Grants had
maximum request amounts of $20,000 and $25,000, respectively. All projects funded in the
second round must be completed by April 30, 2027.
About Smyrna Public Library
Smyrna Public Library, a branch of the Rutherford County Library System, is dedicated to its
mission to explore, imagine, and engage by providing inclusive, innovative services to the
community. As the second-largest branch within a six -location system serving Murfreesboro,
Smyrna, and Eagleville—alongside a countywide Bookmobile—Smyrna Public Library plays a
vital role in expanding access to knowledge and resources for residents of all ages. The library
offers dynamic programming that promotes literacy, STEM education, gardening, early learning
skills, and lifelong learning opportunities, creating meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity,
creativity, and community connection.
About Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial
The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial was legislatively
established by Public Chapter 384 of the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019. The Assembly
created the Commission to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the
250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and recognize Tennessee’s integral role
in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. For more
information on Commission activities, please visit www.tn250.com.
About Tennessee State Museum
Celebrating its 88th Anniversary in 2025, the Tennessee State Museum, is the administrative
attachment of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The
Museum is located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial
Capitol Mall State Park. It is home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture.
The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and
Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please
visit TNMuseum.org.