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America’s 250th Scavenger Hunt – STOP TEN
What, When...
WHAT:
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County preserves, promotes, and advocates for the historic places, stories, and culture of our community.
Our Divisions: One Nonprofit in Four Divisions... All Impacting Williamson County.
The Downtown Franklin Association: America’s Favorite Main Street
The Franklin Theatre: Where the Show is Only the Beginning
The Moore-Morris History and Culture Center: Historic Moments Live Here
Franklin Grove Estate and Gardens: Beauty, Dreams, and Discovery Await
WHEN:
1967-Present Day
Key Events:
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County:
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County was established in 1967 when one of the most architecturally significant antebellum homes was torn down to make way for a gas station.
Roper’s Knob
In 1994, the Heritage Foundation raised $400,000 to purchase and preserve Roper’s Knob with the State of Tennessee. A key signal station during the Civil War, the site was listed on the National Register in 2000. The Heritage Foundation gifted its share to the city of Franklin, which preserves and interprets other sites in the city’s Civil War landscape.
The Downtown Franklin Association:
The Downtown Franklin Association led my Rudy Jordan enacted The Franklin Streetscape program (1989-1991) improved the appearance of downtown more than anyone could imagine. Streetscape was planned in three phases: Phase 1 was Main Street and the Square; Phase 2 was Columbia Avenue and Five Points, and Phase 3 was Hillsboro Road.
McLemore House:
With the help of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and Habitat for Humanity, the African American Heritage Society was able to purchase the home for $1.00 and open it as a museum for the community in 2002.
The Franklin Theatre:
The theatre opened its doors in1937 and stayed open until 2007. The Heritage Foundation, with an enormous thank you to Emily Magid, was able to purchase the theatre in 2008 and reopen it in 2011.
The Jail
Williamson County’s third jail (112 Bridge Street) from 1941 until 1970 fell into disrepair and was vacant until 2008. In 2013, the Heritage Foundation purchased the jail and by 2016, “The LeHew Magid Big House for Historic Preservation,” was fully restored.
Franklin Grove Estate in Gardens:
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s newest project located at the historic Perkins-Winstead Mansion and Berry-Hayes Mansion will feature a museum of art, natural gardens, the Lee Buckner Rosenwald School, and the Moore-Morris History and Culture Center.
