KNOXVILLE, TN The Airplane Filling Station Preservation Association (AFSPA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a federal historic preservation grant from the Tennessee Historical Commission. The $9,000 in funding will be used to begin the second phase of restoration for the Clinton Highway landmark.

The grant requires a match of $6,000 that must be raised by the AFSPA in order for progress to continue. The community will have an opportunity to contribute to this effort this Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Mast General Store in downtown Knoxville. AFSPA volunteers will be on hand to sell t-shirts, sweatshirts, photographs, magnets and bumper stickers featuring this local example of Roadside Americana Architecture. Donations will also be accepted as the AFSPA kicks off a membership drive at the event.

The second phase of restoration will focus on interior stabilization, including walls, ceilings, floors, foundation repairs, and critical structural repairs to the nose of the plane. The work is being funded in part with funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior and the Tennessee Historical Commission. The first phase of restoration was completed in the spring of 2007. The primary goal of that phase was stabilization of the wing section of the structure.