The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking proposals from churches, community partners and businesses for a leased space to house the John Abernathy Smith Heritage Center and Conference Archives.
The Archives, now located in Nashville, is the official repository of the conference’s records and is responsible for collecting, preserving, and maintaining historical church records. They seek a space that meets professional archival standards for the preservation, storage, and access of historical records, documents, photographs, and artifacts.
“You might say we are looking to downsize,” says Lyn Hoyt, Chair for the TWK Commission on Archives and History. “This is an opportunity to reduce our footprint and improve research access as we also expand our digital record-keeping.”
The linked Request For Proposals (RFP) asks for proposals from spaces in and around Middle Tennessee that can meet requirements like the following:
- Provide approximately 1500 square feet to lease.
- ADA accessible
- A 24/7 365 climate-controlled environment
- Public access to archival material
The Archives will move out of historic McKendree UMC, leaving the church with more space to grow and better serve the changing communities it serves in downtown Nashville.
“We are looking for an accessible space that can meet our needs for years to come and become the new location for the John Abernathy Smith Heritage Center,” said Conference Archivist Gratia Strother.
The deadline for submitting full proposals to archivesandhistory@twkumc.org has been extended to April 27, 2026.
Please send a brief email to us now to express your interest or intent to respond to the RFP at archivesandhistory@twkumc.org.
Note: We would be happy to send someone to review your property if you are unsure whether you can meet (or modify to meet) the outlined specifications.
The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church will facilitate the lease negotiations.
