By Jeff Ireland -December 4, 2020, The Leader

The CARES Act, which was signed into law last March by President Trump, allotted more than $2 trillion to be allocated to individuals, families and businesses affected by COVID-19.

On Thursday morning the Tipton County Museum received $3,241.88 of that to help serve the community during the pandemic.

The check was delivered to the museum by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

“It’s been really cool for me, as I’ve visited these museums, to see how innovative you’re being with your programing and allowing people to really set foot inside the museum without physically being inside the museum,” Hargett said. “By the way, you’ve done a lot with a little bit of money. I’m going to have give you my Christmas list and let you go shopping with me. You’ve done a lot with a little.”

The money helped fund the Tipton County Museum Online Academy, a project that was in the works before the pandemic started but kicked into high gear the last several months. It provides short educational videos on art, nature, gardening, history and genealogy.

Barrie Foster, the museum’s director, said 24 field trips are offered by the museum and they are in the process of incorporated them into the online program.

Pictured are, from left, State Rep. Debra Moody, museum employee Sheri Rose, museum director Barrie Foster, Covington Mayor Justin Hanson, Parks and Recreation Director Joe Mack and Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

The money helped the museum purchase hand sanitizer, a laptop, computer software, a camera, a microphone and domain names.

“This puts what we have here in Covington on the worldwide stage,” said Covington Mayor who, along with Rep. Debra Moody, was on hand for the presentation.

The museum also has a nature trail where visitors can tour herb gardens and learn about nature through various programs.