Join us for our first Building of the Month tour of 2025! The present Historic Sanctuary church lot of Franklin First United Methodist Church was bought in the spring of 1869 from the heirs of the late Robert Courtney, and the original part of the building you see has been occupied by the Methodist congregation in Franklin since 1871. The Historic Sanctuary, features handcrafted pews made by a local carpenter, each uniquely designed from oak logs with primitive tools. Its gothic arched windows, adorned with handmade colored glass, showcase rosette designs echoed throughout the building.
Celebrate the start of 2025 with Next Gen and enjoy 15% off drinks, snacks, and merchandise at Stable Reserve on Thursday, January 30th at 5:30 P.M. This mixer is open to all members of the Heritage Foundation’s Next Gen.
Not a member of Next Gen? Learn more about our Next Gen membership to receive invites to events, mixers, and more!
Join us as we celebrate our 4th Annual Downtown Franklin Awards. The Downtown Franklin Association, a division of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, is proud to promote the downtown small businesses through our Main Street America accreditation and programming.
Every downtown business within a mile of the square is eligible to become a DFA member and be placed on this ballot.
Cast your vote by Saturday, January 18th and watch for the Downtown Franklin Award winners’ reveal this March!
Announcing SHOP MAIN STREET TV – downtown Franklin’s all-new virtual shopping experience during this coldest time of the year! Cozy up on the couch and shop your favorite downtown stores in REAL TIME between 10am – 4pm on Thursday, January 23rd. Get to know the faces and makers of these small businesses in our historic district while shopping local from the comforts of home. Register to enter the giveaway, and catch this LIVEstream broadcast event on – IG @downtownfranklintn AND FB @downtown.franklin!
We're honored to announce that the Drennon-McDowell Shumard Oak on the Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens property has been selected for the TN Landmark, Historic, & Heritage Tree Registry as a "Historic Tree"! 🌳
A huge thank you to the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council for this honor. Pictured here is Chaz Griffith (President of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council) with Anna Marcum (our Senior Director of Preservation!)
The Moore-Morris History & Culture Center of Williamson County is a destination for exploring our past and present. As Williamson County’s first permanent, interactive exhibition space dedicated to telling the region’s history, the Center honors and share stories of the people and places that comprise the fabric of middle Tennessee.
Your gift purchases an item to be placed within an exhibit with your logo or name for one year and permanent recognition as an original founding member of the Heritage Hundred in the lobby! Our gift options are as follows:
- A Signature Bottle of Stable Reserve Spirits ($5,000)
- Etched glassware or drinkware ($1,000)
The non-profit Heritage Foundation operates The Franklin Theatre, Downtown Franklin Association, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens, and the Moore-Morris History & Culture Center of Williamson County, TN to preserve and enrich Williamson County for the betterment of its citizens and visitors.
Support the critical work of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County today! Each gift funds preservation & education initiatives in our area that sustain the historic charm that makes our community so beloved.
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN is a nonprofit that preserves, promotes and advocates for the historic places, stories and culture of our community.
Through preservation, education, and events, we actively maintain the historic beauty of Williamson County for our residents and visitors. Without this paramount work, significant buildings and locations representing our area’s diverse history and vibrant culture would be lost forever.
To be the reason the world knows and falls in love with Williamson County’s culture and history.
Whether you have time, funds or business connections to give, each are vitally necessary to sustain the work the Heritage Foundation does to enrich Williamson County. Let's talk, we know there is a meaningful way to get you involved.
Includes: Beechwood Hall (1856), Grasslands (1802, 1850), and Old Town (1846)
Photo of Beechwood Hall, March 2024. Anna Marcum.
WHY: Pryor Lillie built three of the most significant antebellum homes in Williamson County. To have an extant portfolio of an antebellum builder's work in Williamson County is extremely rare and these properties should be preserved as a group.
Pictured, Frierson-Voorhees Cemetery, Brentwood and Tombstone of the Wife of Dr. William Searcy Removed from its Original Location, Nolensville. Both images submitted by nominator.
WHY: Intimate family cemeteries are abundant in Tennessee and an important feature of the state's landscape. As more folks move to Middle Tennessee and development ramps up, it's crucial that people are on the lookout for these cemeteries and are aware of how to appropriately handle them.
James Scales House, 2014. Wikipedia.
WHY: The James Scales House is a lovely example of Eastlake Victorian architecture and the I-house form in Williamson County. Despite the land around it being used as construction storage, the home still retains a remarkable amount of its Eastlake decoration on the porch.
Dry stack stone walls in Williamson County. Both images submitted by nominator.
WHY: These walls are a defining feature of the Tennessee landscape that are not protected by any kind of historic preservation ordinance. With rapid development, many are being lost simply because people don't understand their significance.
The Tucker Home, Architect Burney Tucker, Brentwood, 1967. Photo courtesy Zillow.
WHY: As the construction of I-65 progressed through Williamson County in the 1950s and 60s, towns along the interstate route exploded in growth and along with that growth came a number of lovely Mid-Century Modern homes. Many don’t see the historic value in modern architecture, but these homes are not only an excellent example of the style but also indicative of an important part of Williamson County’s recent history.
