Dickson County Awarded $8,800 For ‘America 250’ Celebration At The Historic Courthouse

Charlotte, TN — Dickson County has been awarded an $8,800 grant to support a local “America 250” celebration planned for July at the historic courthouse in Charlotte, according to an update given during the January 5th, 2026 County Commission work session.

It was revealed at the meeting that the funding came through the Tennessee Historical Commission’s America 250 effort, which has a subcommittee helping communities plan and promote local events connected to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The money is intended to help cover expenses tied to the county’s courthouse-centered celebration, an event leaders want to stage “when it’s ready,” referencing the ongoing renovation work planned for the courthouse.

“America 250” is the nationwide commemoration leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Communities across the country are planning events, exhibits, and educational programs to mark the milestone, often with a focus on local history and civic identity.

Dickson County’s plan, as described at the work session, is to host its celebration at the courthouse in July, using the historic landmark as the centerpiece.

The $8,800 award came up in the same segment of the meeting where county officials highlighted another major courthouse-related win: a $500,000 historic courthouse grant awarded to help renovate the interior of the building.

Commissioners were told that the county was notified just before Christmas that it received the $500,000 grant. County leaders emphasized that because courthouse work had already been budgeted, landing that grant can effectively free up local dollars for other projects.

With those renovations moving forward, the America 250 funding now becomes part of a broader effort to reinvigorate the courthouse as both a functional government space and a public landmark—especially at a time when many communities across America are looking for ways to celebrate history in a meaningful, local way.