The commission consists of thirteen (13) ex officio voting members as follows:
- The commissioner of tourist development;
- The state historian;
- The executive director of the Tennessee historical society;
- The executive director of the Tennessee historical commission;
- The state librarian and archivist;
- The president of the Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution;
- The state regent of the Tennessee Society, Daughters of the American Revolution;
- Two (2) members of the house of representatives, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
- Two (2) members of the senate, to be appointed by the speaker of the senate;
- The museum executive director of the state museum; and
- The executive director of the East Tennessee historical society.