Get to Know Tennessee’s New SHPO, Miranda Montgomery

In November 2025, Miranda Montgomery stepped into the role of Tennessee’s State Historic Preservation Officer following the retirement of Patrick McIntyre, who served as SHPO (State Historic Preservation Officer) and Executive Director of the Tennessee Historical Commission for more than 18 years and as an ex-officio board member of the Preservation Society of Nashville.

Miranda currently serves as SHPO and Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Historical Commission, bringing with her a long-standing commitment to preservation across Tennessee. A respected advocate for historic places statewide—and a consistent supporter of preservation efforts in Nashville—PSN is grateful for the opportunity to sit down with Miranda recently to learn more about her background, her vision for preservation leadership, and what excites her about the future of historic preservation in Tennessee.

We’re thrilled to have her leadership rooted here in our backyard as she helps guide preservation efforts across the state.

Your Background & Path to Preservation

You’re stepping into this role at an important moment for Tennessee. Can you share a bit about your background and what experiences—professional or personal—shaped your commitment to historic preservation?

I’m from rural Kentucky and grew up outdoors, with a deep imprint of the importance of place and story. During my second year of law school, I came across an issue of National Geographic magazine with an article highlighting my future mentor, Julian Bibb, and his work in battlefield reclamation. From that moment over 20 years ago, I’ve had the great fortune to work on numerous preservation efforts across our state.

 Julian Bibb (Photo Credit: Joe Howell, Vanderbilt University Law School)

Vision for the Role & the State

As Tennessee’s new State Historic Preservation Officer, what are you most looking forward to in this position? Are there particular goals or focus areas you hope to advance in your first year?

I’m looking forward to renewing our office’s existing relationships and building new ones across the state. Our office has tools that can assist preservation efforts in communities – no matter the size – and I’m ready to get to work fostering those connections to strengthen preservation in the state of Tennessee. It’s also exciting to be stepping into this role while Tennessee is preparing to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the United States – it’s going to be a great year for preservation here in Tennessee!

America 250 Tennessee Theme Logo (Image Credit: State of TN)

Preservation as an Economic Driver & Tennessee’s Growth

Tennessee is experiencing rapid growth and change. Where do you see the greatest opportunities to integrate historic preservation into future development, and how can preservation also serve as an economic driver - for both urban and rural areas across the state?

In Tennessee, buildings of almost every size and type imaginable have benefited from the Federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) program, including bed and breakfasts, hotels, shotgun houses, former hospitals, and factory and mill complexes. Today, over 1,000 buildings in Tennessee have been rehabilitated using the HTC program, generating over $1.5 billion in investments in Tennessee's historic buildings.

Federal Historic Tax Credit Infographic (Image Credit: National Trust for Historic Preservation)

Culture, Identity & Regional Diversity

Tennessee’s regions each have distinct histories, cultures, and stories. How do you hope to support the preservation of this diversity, and what does protecting the state’s cultural identity mean to you personally?

Our office works hard to document all of Tennessee’s historic resources. For example, our National Register program has worked to promote diversity and has seen an increase in nominations from underrepresented communities. The role I play in protecting our state’s irreplaceable, sacred treasures is deeply meaningful. Words cannot express the responsibility and the gratitude I feel to be trusted with such an important job.

National Register of Historic Places Listings in Tennessee (Image Credit: State of TN)

Looking Ahead

When you imagine Tennessee 20 years from now, what role do you hope historic preservation will have played in shaping the character and livability of our communities?

Tennessee is seeing great change and development. I hope to see developers in both rural and urban communities get creative and explore adaptive reuse of our state’s historic resources, bringing new life to them in the modern era.

Recent adaptive reuse project the Neuhoff District in Nashville (Photo Credit: Dezeen magazine)

Shared Knowledge

What are you reading, listening to, or binge-learning right now? Any books, articles, or podcasts you’d recommend—even the fun or unexpected ones?

I recently visited the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which continues to make significant contributions not only to Tennessee’s story, but also to our American story. I am feverishly reading everything I can get my hands on about the city and what transpired there during the World War II era, from historical fiction to first-hand accounts. It’s mesmerizing.

Women workers leaving the Y-12 plant at Oak Ridge (Photo Credit: Ed Westcott, featured by Princeton University)

Learn more about Ms. Montgomery's role and the Tennessee Historical Commission: https://www.tn.gov/historicalcommission/news/2025/11/17/shpo.html