Knoxville Preservation Foundation Acquired Historic Site
The non-profit purchased the property at 111 Robinson Street to continue local restoration efforts.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Knoxville Preservation Foundation has officially acquired the property located at 111 Robinson Street. This move expands the non-profit's local portfolio as it works to rescue and revitalize neglected community structures.
Why it matters
The organization prioritizes the preservation of buildings with historical or community value that have fallen into disrepair. By focusing on restoration, the foundation aims to maintain the unique character of the area while investing in long-term improvement projects.
The foundation manages sites at 102 W Montgomery St and 105 W Robinson Street, the latter of which is the current Stults house restoration project. These restoration efforts utilize 50 percent more local labor than standard new construction.
The players
Knoxville Preservation Foundation
This non-profit organization works to preserve and restore buildings of historical or community significance.
Dylan Morse
He serves as a board member for the Knoxville Preservation Foundation.
Mikole Sesker
He serves as a board member for the Knoxville Preservation Foundation.
Annie Leonard
She serves as a board member for the Knoxville Preservation Foundation.
Scott Chambers
He serves as the general contractor responsible for the execution of the foundation's restoration projects.
The details
The Knoxville Preservation Foundation acts to save buildings from neglect by purchasing and restoring them for the benefit of the local community. The non-profit is overseen by board members Dylan Morse, Mikole Sesker, and Annie Leonard, with Scott Chambers serving as the general contractor for their various sites.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: The foundation published details regarding its current projects.
Market Landscape
The foundation's reliance on increased local labor follows the historical preservation local labor usage metric. This approach contrasts with typical new construction models by prioritizing local job creation and the specific retention of community-based architectural value.
Residents can support these ongoing restoration projects by sending donations to the foundation at 112 S First St. Alternatively, contributions are accepted through Facebook QR codes to fund future community improvement initiatives.
The takeaway
Historic preservation offers a pathway to maintain community character while boosting local labor utilization. Residents interested in civic improvement can contribute directly through the provided mail-in and digital donation channels.
Further reading
For more on how local groups manage urban renewal, see the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KNIA KRLS Radio - The One to Count On.
Live Poll
Do you believe restoring historic properties is better for your community than building new structures?
