Feb. 13, 2019 (FRANKLIN, Tenn.) – The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County is accepting nominations for its 51^st 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 Foundation protect and preserve historic structures.

“This year’s Preservation Awards are different from years’ past, in that we are introducing four new categories,” said Director of Preservation Blake Wintory, Ph.D. “After reviewing the categories from previous years, I saw an opportunity to add some more specialized focuses to highlight craftsmanship and interpreting historic sites.”

CEO Bari Beasley added, “We look forward to receiving these nominees every year, and we are even more excited to present these four new awards to the amazing individuals and groups who lead these preservation projects.”

Previously, the preservation awards included both residential and commercial rehabilitation categories, as well as new construction projects that complement the historic character of the community. This year, the categories have been changed to: Preservation through Rehabilitation, Preservation through Restoration, Heritage Preservation and Craftsperson. A full description of the new categories for this year’s awards can be found at WilliamsonHeritage.org/Preservation.

In 2018, the Haynes-Reader Strobel House earned the top honor of the Preservation Awards. The original portions of the home date back to 1844 and historic restoration helped to retain the Victorian Folk architectural features and the original windows. The residential winner was the Knox-Crockett house, a home built circa 1790 by Major Andrew Crockett on land that was part of a Revolutionary War land grant received in 1786.

Winners for the preservation awards are announced each May at the Foundation’s annual member meeting, which falls during National Historic Preservation Month. Presented by the Heritage Foundation’s member events’ sponsor, Franklin Synergy Bank, this year’s meeting will be held on May 14 for Heritage Foundation, Franklin Theatre, and Downtown Franklin Association staff, boards and members.

The awards will be judged by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s Director of Preservation Blake Wintory, Ph.D. and the Tennessee Historical Commission’s Historic Preservation Specialist, Jane Coleman Cottone.

Nomination forms are due by April 5 and can be found on the Heritage Foundation’s website at WilliamsonHeritage.org/Preservation or by contacting Director of Preservation Blake Wintory, Ph.D. at bwintory@williamsonheritage.org.

 

About the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN

Since 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN has been dedicated to protecting and preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic and cultural heritage and 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 public, private and homeschooled children each year through the Heritage Classroom program and 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 the county each year. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre and the Downtown Franklin Association, the area’s nationally accredited Main Street Program through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit https://williamsonheritage.org.