RSVP to Our Year in Review Community Reception at The Franklin Theatre | Thursday, March 27th at 6 PM →

YOU'RE INVITED! Our Year in Review Community Reception Takes Place on Thursday, March 27th

Get ready to celebrate a year of remarkable achievements with us at the Year in Review Reception! Join us on March 27th at 6:00 PM at the iconic Franklin Theatre as we look back on our successes and look forward to an even brighter future.

This special evening is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage and past successes, and to share our vision for a 2025 of continued growth in preservation, education, and community engagement.

We look forward to celebrating with you! Please RSVP at the link below to secure your spot.

The Mother Who Changed History: Febb Burn's Untold Story 🌹

This Women's History Month, we're honored to share a remarkable story of courage, influence, and the power of a mother's love.

In 1920, with the fate of the 19th Amendment hanging in the balance, all eyes turned to Tennessee. The state's vote would determine whether women across America would gain the right to vote. At the center of this pivotal moment was Febb Burn, a woman whose wisdom and influence shaped her son, Tennessee State Legislator Harry Burn.

Our new video, "The Legacy of Febb Burn," delves into the incredible story of how a letter from a mother to her son changed the course of history.

Join Practical Preservation and Old England Rock Walls for a unique community experience!

Discover the timeless craft of dry stack stone walling with our upcoming workshop on April 5th and 6th, from 9 AM to 5 PM. We're thrilled to welcome Martin Beevers of Old England Rock Walls to lead this hands-on introduction, bringing expertise directly aligned with the renowned Dry Stone Walling Association of the UK.

Normally, a two-day workshop of this caliber would cost $600. However, as a commitment to our community and the preservation of this traditional skill, we're offering this workshop completely free and open to the public!

Our Next Timeless Tales Adventure - Blueberries for Sal

Join us at the Moore-Morris History and Culture Center on Friday, April 11th at 9 AM for a magical journey through the world of classic children’s literature. “Blueberries for Sal” is a charming story about a little girl and a bear cub who unintentionally swap places while gathering blueberries with their mothers on a Maine hillside.

Registration is FREE! Reserve your spot today!

Our 41st Annual Main Street Festival is Almost Here! April 26 & 27 in Downtown Franklin

Get ready to celebrate spring in historic downtown Franklin! The 41st Annual Main Street Festival is just around the corner, bringing with it two days of vibrant festivities. This beloved tradition, consistently ranked among the top 20 events in the Southeast, attracts over 120,000 visitors each year. Enjoy eclectic arts and crafts, live entertainment, delicious food, and family-friendly fun. This year's festival will feature a diverse array of cultural experiences, including collaborative public art exhibits and captivating performances showcasing dance, spoken word, music, and more.

✨ Looking for a unique and historic venue for your next event? ✨

The Moore-Morris History and Culture Center is more than just an interactive exhibition space – it's a stunning 6,000-square-foot event space nestled in the heart of historic Downtown Franklin.

Here's why you'll love it:
- Historic Charm: This beautifully restored three-story building boasts stunning brick walls, hardwood floors, tall windows, and charming fireplaces throughout.
- Prime Location: Just steps from the square and across the street from The Harpeth Hotel, you're in the center of it all.
- Versatile Space: Perfect for meetings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and more!
- Supporting a Good Cause: By renting our space, you directly support the Center's non-profit mission.

Contact our incredible team to schedule a tour and learn more about hosting your next event in our space!

One Nonprofit, Four Divisions

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.

Saving the Places and Stories that Matter

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.

What We Do

History, Preservation, Community.

Impact
By the Numbers

350K
Yearly Festivals & Special Event Attendance
5
Historical Districts
134
National Register Properties
$10M
Annual Festivals Local Economic Impact

Mission

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.

Impact

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.

Vision

To be the reason the world knows and falls in love with Williamson County’s culture and history.

Get Involved

Discover ways to give back to the community you love.

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.

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Latest News

2024 Sites to Save

PRYOR LILLIE WORKS

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.

2024 Sites to Save

WILLIAMSON COUNTY CEMETERIES

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.

2024 Sites to Save

THE JAMES SCALES HOUSE (1885), COLLEGE GROVE/KIRKLAND

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.

2024 Sites to Save

WILLIAMSON COUNTY DRY STACK STONE WALLS

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.

2024 Sites to Save

WILLIAMSON COUNTY MID-CENTURY MODERN HOMES

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.