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Archives staff seek historic‑structure help for Rock Jail after cleanup
Summary
County archives staff reported records work and a large cleanout of the Rock Jail and asked Middle Tennessee State University’s historic‑preservation program to recommend architectural contractors and interpretive approaches for restoring the structure as a historic site—not a museum.
Archives staff told the committee they have processed an increased number of public‑records requests and estate research projects and thanked several county offices for assistance with a recent Rock Jail cleanup. The archives speaker said the cleanup removed roughly 30 cubic yards of material from the Rock Jail, much of it related to a long‑term roof leak, and that the building still requires additional work.
The archives speaker said they have asked Middle Tennessee State University’s historic‑preservation department to prepare a list of recommended contractors experienced in historic structural repair and to propose interpretation options so the Rock Jail can be opened occasionally as a historic site. "I don't want it to be a museum," the archives speaker said, adding the county already has other museum resources.
Staff described ongoing records disposition under applicable law, challenges separating mixed records, and high volumes of recent public‑records requests. The archives speaker thanked the sheriff’s office and solid waste for assistance with the Rock Jail dumpsters and said they will continue preservation and structural planning work.
