About Us

Preserve Chattanooga is here to protect the architectural heritage of Chattanooga through historic preservation education and advocacy.

Founded in 1975 as Landmarks Chattanooga, the organization was renamed Cornerstone’s Inc. in 1994. At the beginning of 2022, the organization was renamed Preserve Chattanooga to more effectively communicate what our organization does and who we serve. Preserve Chattanooga is the only historic preservation nonprofit dedicated to local preservation efforts.

Preserve Chattanooga is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Preservation Partners Network, the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, and the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. We stay informed of state preservations efforts through the Tennessee Historical Commission and nationally through the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Preserve Chattanooga collaborates with organizations throughout the Chattanooga community to broaden our impact. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit governed by a board of directors. Our mission is supported by donations, grants and fundraising events.

Equity and inclusion for all people ensure the long-term success of our city and its neighborhoods. Preserve Chattanooga is committed to supporting and engaging diverse members of our community through preservation education, advocacy, and technical assistance.

Our Organization Has Impact

Get To Know Us

  • Our local preservation advocacy efforts prioritize the following:

    • Local Historic District assets and Local Historic Landmarks.

    • Individually listed National Register properties and districts.

    • Places and neighborhoods eligible or potentially eligible for official historic designation (local or national)tem description

  • To ensure that Chattanooga’s historic resources are identified, protected, and celebrated for their beauty, history, and the valuable role they bring to the city’s economy, environment, and quality of life.

  • Collaboration and Partnership: Our mission is advanced when we can successfully communicate complex issues to large audiences, engage supporters in the cause, and foster relationships throughout the community.

    Stewardship: We seek to influence behavior and practice by promoting the means and incentives to preserve historic properties for their economic value, their role in preserving community identity, and as a tangible link to the past for current and future generations.

    Diversity: Chattanooga’s diversity enriches us, with its multiplicity of opinion, experience, culture and geography. We believe in the power of diversity – in the people and organizations we collaborate with, in the programs and services we offer, and in the ideas and perspectives we represent.

    Respect for History: We believe Chattanooga can continue to grow and prosper without losing sight of its past, a past that makes this city distinct from all other places.

    Informed Decisions: We believe government leaders, property owners, design professionals, and all preservationists will save more historic places when they make informed decisions regarding the use and treatment of historical resources.tem description

  • Eric Cummings - President
    Rob Bentley - Vice President
    Kelly O’Mara - Treasurer
    Dr. Dana Moody - Secretary

    Edmund Amoye
    Dan Brewer
    Cullon Hooks
    Emily Mack
    Melissa Mortimer
    Maury Nicely
    Rachel Shannon
    Anna Smith
    Nicole Osborne Watson
    Trey Wheeler

    Tom Hayslett III - General Counsel

    If you are interested in becoming a board member, please fill out a Nomination Form and email it to Todd@preservechattanooga.com.

  • Todd Morgan has been the Executive Director of Preserve Chattanooga since November 2021. Before joining Preserve Chattanooga, Todd served as the Executive Director of Knox Heritage, a historic preservation nonprofit serving the East Tennessee region. He was recognized with an Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2021. Todd also has experience as the Tennessee Main Street Director, where he led statewide downtown revitalization programs. His professional background includes economic and community development, urban planning, and architecture.

    In 2022, Mayor Tim Kelly appointed Todd to the Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission. He is a 2024 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and currently serves as an adjunct professor teaching historic preservation at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Todd is certified in historic real estate finance by the National Community Development Council. He is a member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club and serves on the board of directors for the National Preservation Partners Network.

    todd@preservechattanooga.com

    Office: 423.265.2825

  • Bea Lurie loves fundraising and is looking forward to using her extensive fund development and event planning experience to meet the financial goals of the organization.

    As CEO for nine years of the award-winning Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, Bea led her team in nearly doubling the annual budget through building relationships with potential donors, existing donors, and lapsed donors; strengthening and expanding the annual UnBought and UnBossed event and committee; increasing existing sponsorships and getting new ones; achieving 100% board giving at the $1,000 or more level; working with board members to identify and recruit new donors and sponsors; and building the reputation for excellence of Girls Inc. in the community.

    Bea also brings to Preserve Chattanooga a passion for historic preservation that began in her teens. She served on the board of Cornerstones shortly after moving to Chattanooga. As the owner of a magnificent home in Fort Wood, she has overseen the historically accurate restoration of her home. Bea also oversaw the restoration of another magnificent home in Midwood Park in Brooklyn and she is serving for the second time in 21 years as a board member of the neighborhood association including chairing the Strategic Planning Committee. Before she moved to Chattanooga, she spent a year getting the process underway to landmark Midwood Park and an adjacent neighborhood. Both areas were subsequently landmarked.

    bea@preservechattanooga.com

    Office: 423.265.2825

Get in touch.

If you have any questions about Preserve Chattanooga and our work in the community, please contact us.