Feb. 20, 2020

 

FRANKLIN – The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County is accepting nominations for its 52nd annual Preservation Awards, which serve to celebrate outstanding historic preservation projects in Williamson County. The award categories recognize the vision of those who help the Heritage Foundation protect and preserve historic structures.

“This year’s Preservation Awards will carry on the same legacy as years’ past. In addition, we’ve brought back a previous category to recognize infill projects in historic districts, said director of preservation and education Blake Wintory, Ph.D. “The other categories include restoration, rehabilitation, craftsperson and heritage preservation.”

The “Excellence in Infill in a Historic District” category recognizes new construction that complements the historic character of the surrounding buildings. Nominated projects should focus on creative design solutions for small-scale, compatible infill buildings in historic contexts. Residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings are all eligible.

In 2019, the Heritage Foundation honored the 231 Public Square Building, where the rehabilitation of the 1972 Harpeth Bank took cues from photos of the old Arlington Hotel that once stood on the site. The result is a reimagined building that contributes to Franklin’s rich historic fabric.

Awards were also presented to the Vaughn-McCall home for rehabilitation, Tina and Roger Jones for the restoration of their 1 ½ bungalow in the Hincheyville Historic District, the Hard Bargain Association for Heritage Preservation and the Nolensville Historical Association for their work with the Morton-Brittain House.

CEO Bari Beasley said the Heritage Foundation looks forward to receiving these nominations every year. “This year we can’t wait to see what types of nominees come in for thoughtful new construction projects,” she said. “We are even more excited to present these awards to the amazing individuals and groups who lead these preservation projects.”

A full description of the new categories for this year’s awards as well as the nomination/application forms can be found at WilliamsonHeritage.org/Preservation. Nomination/application forms are due to Dr. Wintory by April 10.

Winners for the preservation awards are announced each May at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting which falls during the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Month. Presented by the Heritage Foundation’s member events’ sponsor, Franklin Synergy Bank, this year’s meeting will be held on May 5, 2020 at The Franklin Theatre. The Heritage Foundation, Franklin Theatre, Downtown Franklin Association and Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens staff, boards and members are encouraged to attend. Interested members of the general public are also welcome. Ticket information is coming soon.

For more information, contact Director of Preservation Blake Wintory, Ph.D., at bwintory@williamsonheritage.org.

 

Photos are of one of last year’s honorees, the building at 231 Public Square. There is a photo of the original building from 1916, which provided architectural inspiration for the new building. The 1916 photo is courtesy of the Historical Society. The new photo was taken by StudioEightDesign. 

ABOUT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Since 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has been dedicated to preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic and cultural heritage as well as promoting the ongoing revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. Notable projects include The Franklin Theatre, Roper’s Knob, parts of the Franklin battlefield and the Old, Old Jail. The Foundation brings county history to about 3,000 school children each year through the Heritage Classroom program as well as walking tours of downtown Franklin. Events and festivals produced by the Heritage Foundation such as Main Street Festival, the Heritage Ball, Pumpkinfest and Dickens of a Christmas bring hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors to downtown Franklin each year. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre, the Downtown Franklin Association, and the organization’s newest division and current restoration project, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.williamsonheritage.org.