Evergreen Cemetery Began Office Expansion Projects

Murfreesboro's historic burial site is adding an administration building and museum under nonprofit management.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Financial Planning

Isometric editorial illustration of a miniature architectural model of a museum building situated in a quiet, tree-lined cemetery setting. — Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro has begun construction on a new office and museum, marking a shift toward nonprofit facility management. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you prefer historical sites in your community to be managed by the government or non-profits?

Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro has commenced construction on a new office building at the site. The current administrative office will be converted into a museum to preserve the history of the 90-acre grounds.

Why it matters

The cemetery transitioned to a nonprofit structure four years ago to gain management flexibility. This shift allows the organization to pursue grants, private fundraising, and donations beyond traditional city bureaucratic oversight.

The cemetery covers 90 acres and holds the remains of more than 2,000 reinterred Confederate soldiers. Ownership was transferred from the city to the nonprofit entity for $1.

The players

Evergreen Cemetery, Inc.

This nonprofit organization oversees the 90-acre historic site and manages its current administration and preservation projects.

City of Murfreesboro

The local municipal government transferred the title of the cemetery property to a private entity to streamline site management.

The details

The site, originally established in 1872, is expanding its facilities to include a dedicated museum space for the community. Ground-penetrating radar recently confirmed the presence of unmarked graves of enslaved Africans within the cemetery's Section M.

The cemetery was originally established in 1872.
The name was changed to Evergreen Cemetery in 1873.
Ownership transferred to the nonprofit organization 4 years ago.

Market Dynamics

The expansion follows the legacy of the 1872 establishment of the cemetery land purchase from the Maney family. This development marks a shift in how historical sites are maintained as they transition from municipal oversight to modern, grant-funded nonprofit entities.

Residents can expect improved site preservation and historical access as the cemetery scales its fundraising operations. These changes impact the long-term stewardship of the property and its integration into the local cultural landscape.

The takeaway

The move toward a nonprofit model allows historical sites to secure funding through private channels rather than relying solely on tax dollars. Interested residents should monitor the upcoming museum launch as a potential resource for local historical education.