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Friends of Fort Negley report fundraising, visitation and master-plan progress; Juneteenth attendance noted
Summary
Friends of Fort Negley chair Ben Eagles reported on phase 1 of a 64-acre master plan, financials (about $31,668 in unencumbered cash; gift shop revenue just under $11,000; $7,300 in donations), and said Juneteenth attendance was likely 15,000–20,000 despite 10,000 RSVPs.
Ben Eagles, chair of Friends of Fort Negley, presented the organization's annual update and thanked Metro Parks staff for support on phase 1 of a 64-acre master plan. Eagles provided financial figures for the organization's operations: "We ended 2025 with 31,668 in unencumbered cash available. Our gift shop did just under 11,000 in revenue, and ... we had 7,300 in donations," he said.
Eagles described interpretive programming, reenactments and partnerships to support research and public history. He noted Juneteenth, the park's largest annual event, was displaced this year by construction; the Friends group recorded about 10,000 RSVPs and estimated actual attendance closer to 15,000–20,000. Eagles said phase 1 of the master plan will conclude next year and emphasized balancing preservation with increased public engagement.
