The Downtown Franklin Awards are back! Join us Mar. 5 at The Franklin Theatre celebrating a night of excellence. Tickets →

Celebrate Community Impact at Our 2025 Year in Review Celebration!

Join us at The Franklin Theatre on March 30 for an evening celebrating our 2025 community impact and a first look at our 2026 vision. This year’s event features a dynamic new format with divisional leadership panels, providing a front-row seat to the progress your support has made possible. The evening kicks off with a 5:30 PM reception in the lobby, followed by an interactive program where our leadership team will answer pre-submitted questions.

We look forward to sharing the exciting initiatives taking shape for the future of Williamson County!

Step Inside a Stunning Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece - Mon. Feb 23!

Join us on Monday, February 23, for an exclusive architectural tour of the historic Henry D. Norris Home.

This rare evening offers private access to one of Williamson County’s most unique residences, showcasing the innovative design and aesthetic of the mid-century era. You’ll enjoy expert insights and a dedicated Q&A session with interior design specialist Holly to discuss the nuances of restoration and historic home ownership.

Space is strictly limited for this private event, so secure your tickets today to explore this local architectural treasure!

Join Our 2026 Festival Family: Vendor Applications are Now Live!

We are thrilled to invite artisans, food vendors, and entertainers to apply for our award-winning 2026 festival season in historic downtown Franklin. Applications are currently open for the Main Street Festival in April and Dickens of a Christmas in December.

PLEASE NOTE: PumpkinFest applications are briefly on hold as we finalize plans with the City for a potential two-day expansion.

Secure your spot today and help us bring the magic to life!

Celebrate the Best of Downtown Franklin at the Downtown Franklin Awards - Mar. 5 at The Franklin Theatre!

Get your tickets to the 5th Annual Downtown Franklin Awards, presented by CTO Sidekick, happening on Thursday, March 5th at 7 PM at The Franklin Theatre.

DFA members were nominated and placed on a public ballot, with the community casting votes throughout January. Winners will be revealed live during this special evening celebrating the people and businesses that make downtown Franklin thrive.

Early-bird tickets are available through the end of the month, or you can purchase full-price tickets at the door.

Your Story, Your Square Mile: Share What Matters!

From deep roots to new beginnings, everyone cherishes special Williamson County places. We're inviting you to celebrate the landmarks and locations throughout our community that have shaped your life. Through our My Square Mile campaign, we're connecting people and places across our community.

Share your story and help us preserve what matters, together!

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

2025 Sites to Save

WILLIAMS-FITZHUGH-GOOCH HOME

WHY: Located in Nolensville, this home pre-dates the Civil War with connections to the founder of Nolensville. Despite being within the boundaries of the Historic Home District the property has come under threat twice within the past six months for demolition.

2025 Sites to Save

FITSZBURG-DOTSON-DODSON HOME

WHY: Located in West Harpeth, the structure also known as the John Neely House was built around 1810 using bricks crafted from the Neely’s enslaved population. The home has been altered through the years, but it maintains the original rare hall-parlor floor plan and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988.

2025 Sites to Save

BEECHWOOD HALL

WHY: Located in Leiper’s Fork, Beechwood Hall has been an ongoing effort in Williamson County preservation. Its architecture and connections to musicians such as Hank Williams are only part of its legacy. Though it has fallen into disrepair over the last 30 years, the property has stabilized under the current owner. However, the long-term fate is unknown if ownership happened to change hands.

2025 Sites to Save

WILLIAMSON COUNTY DRY STACK STONE WALLS

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.

2025 Sites to Save

HIRAM LODGE #7 FRANKLIN MASONIC HALL

WHY: A National Historic Landmark building in the heart of downtown Franklin, the Masonic Hall is the oldest three-story building in Franklin and is the earliest significant Gothic Revival building in Tennessee. It is the oldest continually operating Masonic fraternity in the state. The Masonic fraternity known as Hiram Lodge No. 7 of Free and Accepted Masons was charted in 1809.

2025 Sites to Save

DANIEL MCMAHON HOUSE

WHY: This home is a two-story frame and log residence located on the Franklin First United Methodist Church property near Franklin Road and Mack Hatcher. The home was built around 1812 and was the farm of Revolutionary War veteran Daniel MacMahon, one of the county’s earliest settlers. The current concerns for the home are water damage, mold, and other issues. The Heritage Foundation team is encouraged by recent conversations with church leadership.

2025 Sites to Save

WILLIAMSON COUNTY CEMETERIES (NOLENSVILLE, MALLORY CEMETERY, THOMPSON-BOXLEY CEMETERY)

WHY: Intimate family cemeteries are abundant in Tennessee and an important feature of the state's landscape. The legacy they hold, Williamson county’s pioneers, early settlers, leaders, etc. offers a chance for community members and visitors from far and wide a chance to reflect on the past and look towards the future. Raising awareness for their deteriorating conditions and how to help them is crucial to their survival.

2025 Sites to Save

HISTORIC GROCERY/GENERAL STORES (BEARD’S GROCERY AND OVERBY’S GENERAL STORE)

WHY: Local general stores and grocery stores used to be the heart of Williamson County communities—contributing as voting offices, public hearing spaces, and news sources. While Beard’s Grocery has been restored and still remains active today, many of these places—like Overby’s General Store—sit abandoned and left unloved. Through the preservation efforts of dedicated owners (like the family that owns Beard’s Grocery), the local community and the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, these sites can be saved and repurposed while still carrying on their legacy.