For more than seventy years, the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA) has worked to ensure that Tennessee’s history is not forgotten. Founded in 1951, APTA is the oldest statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization in the state and the fourth oldest in the nation.

The Rutherford County APTA chapter honors this legacy by identifying and marking historic homes and sites throughout our county. Behind every marker is a story—of families, milestones, craftsmanship, and moments that shaped our community. Through research and documentation, we place markers that give those stories a permanent place in our shared landscape.

Although APTA does not restore private homes, memberships and donations make this work possible. Your support funds the research and placement of historic markers that ensure these stories endure and replaces and repairs the markers that have decayed with time. Each marker is a reminder that history is not just something we read—it is something we live alongside every day.

We invite you to be part of this meaningful work. Whether by becoming a member, making a donation, or applying for a historic marker, you help ensure that Rutherford County’s history continues to be seen, remembered, and cherished for generations to come.