To know history is to see it, engage with it, experience it.

From helping all residents engage meaningfully on what it means to be a preservation advocate, to connecting citizens with the necessary tools to successfully preserve, protect, and promote historic buildings, homes, and landscapes, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County is committed to being the trusted preservation, education, and advocacy resource.

As preservationists, we have moments when it’s hard to articulate exactly what we do and why our work is significant. In previous blogs posts, I focused on tangible reasons for why preservation is important – historic preservation brings sustainability of communities through economic revitalization, education, and smart well-planned growth. Seems simple enough, however, let’s take it one step further and mention numbers. The data is clear: financially, revitalization of historic places matters and should be protected and preserved in the present for future generations. Our beloved Franklin Main Street is an excellent example of how and why historic preservation makes dollars and sense.

But there are practical reasons for why preserving our collective past, lovingly referred to as “old places,” matters. By saving our “old places” these spaces inspire creativity and community, connect us to our history and foster a sense of belonging for each of us in the present. But sadly, we have unfortunately lost buildings, even in recent years. It’s not entire blocks all at once, instead, to quote former Main Street Director Rudy Jordan, “we lose buildings one at a time.” Ms. Jordan’s statement is still true today. As we look out across the county, we realize while much has been truly saved, so much more must be done to continually preserve and protect the fragile eco-system of our historic and cultural (and even, natural!) resources.

Each day, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s team members and board of directors commit to saving the places and sharing all stories that matter in Williamson County, TN. We recognize the intangible value our historic and cultural resources bring to our communities across the county.

Stay tuned for next month’s blog post where I will be sharing my “Notes from the Field” during my fieldwork trips across the county, gathering data for our countywide survey!

Do you have a cemetery on your property? Or do you own a historic home, barn, or stacked stone walls? Then, please contact our Senior Director of Preservation & Education Rachael Finch at rfinch@williamsonheritage.org. She would love to set a time to come and meet with you personally and identify, document and evaluate your cemetery, historic home, or cultural resources.