When you think of Franklin, one of the first things that comes to mind is its character. When you think of its character, you think of places like the Franklin Theatre, Carnton, Harlinsdale Farm, the McLemore House, Gray’s on Main, 55 South, the Franklin Battlefield, and the list goes on. So that means when you think of Franklin, you’re really thinking about preservation. For the past fifty years, people from all backgrounds have worked together to preserve the Franklin and Williamson County we know and love today. The collaboration between these groups of people is an important reminder that preservation does not occur in isolation. Instead, it takes all of us working together towards a common goal – our desire to preserve our history while looking toward our future.

Historic preservation offers us a unique way to approach our future because it has both cultural and economic benefits. Preservation is not simply concerned with saving buildings because they’re old. Instead, these structures and landscapes are the physical remains of our history. They tell the stories of real people who lived and worked in our community before us. These “old buildings” and landscapes are priceless time capsules that cannot be recreated if they were to be destroyed. Because of that, organizations like the Heritage Foundation work to ensure the survival of these structures, telling people’s stories, and ensuring that future generations can learn and benefit from them. Studies have also shown that communities that are concerned with preservation also benefit economically. Restoring a historic building often employs local companies, labor, and supplies, and the funds return to the community. It also promotes local tourism. When people travel, they want unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Franklin is a prime example of that success.

As we think about the next fifty years of the Heritage Foundation, collaboration remains a key ingredient in the success of preservation in not only Franklin, but our entire county. We are excited to continue developing treasured familiar relationships while also building new ones. There are still many stories waiting to be told, and only together can we tell the whole story of Williamson County.