Kingsport Forms Citizen Committee to Evaluate Museum Options

City aims to preserve and interpret local history through various models

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The mayor of Kingsport, Tennessee has established a new citizens committee to conduct a comprehensive assessment of options for sharing the city's history with residents, including a traditional museum facility, digital exhibits, heritage trails, or a hybrid approach. The committee will inventory existing assets, review governance and operating structures in peer communities, and develop cost estimates for different models, with the goal of delivering a recommendation to the city by the end of 2026.

Why it matters

Kingsport has a rich collection of historic sites, museums, archives, and cultural assets, but the city is evaluating whether there are more sustainable and coherent ways to interpret and share this history with residents and visitors. The committee's work will help determine the best long-term approach for preserving and presenting Kingsport's story.

The details

The Kingsport Citizens Museum Committee has been organized into three working teams. The Local Asset Scan and Alignment Team will inventory existing museums, historic sites and digital resources, focusing on identifying gaps, overlaps and opportunities for better coordination. The Peer Examples, Governance, and Stewardship Team will examine how comparable communities present their local history and review governance and operating structures. The Cost and Operations Reality-Check Team will develop preliminary cost estimates for different options, including startup costs, annual operating expenses, staffing or volunteer needs, and long-term sustainability.

  • The committee was established by Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery in February 2026.
  • The committee's goal is to deliver a recommendation to the city by the end of 2026.

The players

Paul Montgomery

The mayor of Kingsport, Tennessee who established the Kingsport Citizens Museum Committee.

Liza Brown

The leader of the Local Asset Scan and Alignment Team on the Kingsport Citizens Museum Committee.

Russ Brogden

The leader of the Peer Examples, Governance, and Stewardship Team on the Kingsport Citizens Museum Committee, and the vice chair of the overall committee.

Elaine Bodenweiser

The leader of the Cost and Operations Reality-Check Team on the Kingsport Citizens Museum Committee.

Jeff Fleming

The former Kingsport City Manager who is serving as the chair of the Kingsport Citizens Museum Committee.

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What they’re saying

“This committee is about stewardship, sustainability, and fit. 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.”

— Paul Montgomery, Mayor of Kingsport (timesnews.net)

What’s next

The committee's goal is to deliver a recommendation to the city by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

Kingsport is taking a thoughtful, community-driven approach to evaluating the best way to preserve and share its rich history with residents, exploring a range of options from traditional museums to digital exhibits and heritage trails. The committee's work will help ensure the city's historical assets are sustainably managed and accessible for years to come.