Join us on Friday, August 9th, at the Moore-Morris History and Culture Center for the next Pour & Explore event, celebrating the rich history of American wine. Sommelier Davis Campbell of Wines Together will walk you through the storied history of Unique American Wines as we mark the 225th anniversary of our storied city.
When? Friday, August 9
Where? Moore-Morris History and Culture Center
Learn more and reserve your spot today!
Through August 24th, all ticketed admission prices to the Moore-Morris History & Culture Center are discounted by $5! Bring the entire family and come experience Williamson County’s first state-of-the-art, interactive exhibition space for yourself with this red-hot summer deal!
Surrounded in historic brick and hardwood décor with beautiful archways and stairwells that help you traverse into distinct thematic “room,” The Center transports guests to different environments within its 6,000 square feet and three stories. Multi-sensory experiences leverage the latest immersive technologies to wrap you in the sights and sounds of our history through interactive touchscreens, projected videos, audio accents, and tactile artifacts.
Hello, I’m Bari Beasley president CEO of the Heritage Foundation. Our 57-year-old organization is here to serve the community and be steadfast in our efforts to preserve the places and stories that matter. Tonight, the planning commission in Franklin will most likely approve the site plan for the Middle Eight development as part of the consent agenda. The chair may restrict the period for public comment this evening. Because of that uncertainty we’ve decided to make our comments here.
The precedent set by Middle Eight undermines Franklin’s historic preservation ordinance. We feel it is very important to continue to reiterate our initial views and recommendations regarding the Middle Eight development. We have never wavered on our belief that the developer should consider two items:
· To reconsider the architectural character of the development.
· And at the very least, to conduct an archaeological survey in order to remove and safeguard any historic material on the site prior to construction.
Our duty to Williamson County is to continue to advocate, and a development of this nature in our downtown core will have lasting impacts far beyond this one development, forever altering the historic fabric of our community.
Thank you for your continued support of advocacy efforts.
Looking back on a beautiful and momentous night in the history of our organization!
After many years of planning and perseverance, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN and our extraordinary project partners were able to successfully relocate the Lee-Buckner Rosenwald School to our Franklin Grove Estates & Gardens property. This school holds a remarkable history, and we are grateful for the opportunity to save it, relocate it, restore it, and share its stories with the public.
Stay tuned for progress updates on this historic project!
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 today. Each gift funds preservation & education initiatives in our area that sustain the historic charm that makes Williamson County 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.
