May is National Preservation Month
let’s remember to look back before we move forward
In 1973, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated the week of May 6-12 as National Preservation Week with a presidential proclamation that read in part:
“As the pace of change accelerates in the world around us, Americans more than ever need a
lively awareness of our roots and origins in the past on which to base our sense of identity
in the present and our directions for the future.”
A statement that still rings true nearly 50 years later.
In 2005, Preservation Week expanded to include the entire month of May. Although we at the Heritage Foundation celebrate preservation every day, we look forward to Preservation Month each May and the opportunity to raise awareness and rally our community around the importance of saving places and stories that matter.
For more than 50 years, the Heritage Foundation has been dedicated to protecting and preserving the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Williamson County. Through preservation, education, and events, we actively maintain the historic beauty for our residents and visitors.
Without this paramount work and your continued support, significant buildings and locations like the Franklin Theatre, the Old Old Jail, and downtown Franklin’s Main Street representing our area’s diverse history and vibrant culture would be lost forever. Learn more about our past and current preservation projects including Franklin Grove Estate and Gardens, our largest preservation project yet! Learn more about the history and importance of preservation work in Williamson County and join us at our annual Preservation Symposium June 26 (details to come).
Our team of preservation champions continues to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and community connections during this unprecedented season of the global pandemic. What was previously accomplished through in-person conversations, public forums and events is being temporarily converted into a virtual environment as we continue to educate, inspire and engage you in our preservation, education and community work.
As you may know, events and membership fund our preservation work. Without the support of friends like you, we risk losing some of Williamson County’s most beloved cultural and architectural resources. We are proud to announce that in celebration of May Preservation Month and through the generosity of several angel supporters, every dollar raised to support our Foundation in May will be matched! That means your investment in the historic preservation of places and stories of our community will be doubled this month, so there’s never been a better time to join us in our mission! Become a member for as little as $5 a month or make a gift to support our ongoing preservation efforts.
We are grateful to you for your commitment to the Heritage Foundation, our divisions of the Downtown Franklin Association, Franklin Theatre and Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens, and the many other architectural, geographical and cultural resources across all of Williamson County we have helped to protect and preserve.
With your support, we will continue our work to save the places that matter. Please help us #keepitgoing.
Please donate or become a member today!