Kingsport mayor forms citizens committee to evaluate museum options

KINGSPORT — A new Kingsport citizens committee will evaluate whether and how the city should preserve and interpret its history for residents. Mayor Paul Montgomery has established the Kingsport Citizens Museum Committee to conduct a focused, fact-based assessment of options for sharing the city's story, according to a news release. Those options include a traditional museum facility, lower-cost alternatives such as digital exhibits or heritage trails, rotating displays, or a phased or hybrid approach. Committee members are not charged with designing a building or advocating for a specific project, the release said. "This committee is about stewardship, sustainability, and fit," Montgomery said in the release. "Kingsport already has a rich collection of historic sites, museums, archives, and cultural assets. The question is whether there is a responsible way to strengthen, connect, or interpret those resources more coherently — and if so, what model makes sense for Kingsport." The committee has been organized into three working teams. The Local Asset Scan and Alignment Team, led by Liza Brown, will review existing museums, historic sites and digital resources in Kingsport and the surrounding region. The team will work to identify gaps, overlaps and opportunities for better coordination. The Peer Examples, Governance, and Stewardship Team, led by Russ Brogden, will examine how other communities in Tennessee and neighboring states present their local history. The team will also look at governance and operating structures, paying attention to nonprofit-led or partnership models rather than city-run operations. The Cost and Operations Reality-Check Team, led by Elaine Bodenweiser, will develop preliminary, order-of-magnitude cost estimates for each option under consideration, including startup costs, annual operating expenses, staffing or volunteer needs, and long-term sustainability. "Across all teams, the committee will evaluate its findings through four core questions: purpose, audience, sustainability and stewardship," the release stated. "The work will be consensus-driven where possible, practical in scale, and grounded in what Kingsport can reasonably support over time." Former Kingsport City Manager Jeff Fleming will serve as committee chair, with Brogden serving as vice chair. The committee's goal is to deliver a recommendation to the city by the end of 2026. Community members with relevant experience or interest who would like to be considered for participation are invited to contact Renee McBryar at 423-229-9411 or by email at reneemcbryar@kingsporttn.gov.