The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County Announces Preservation Month Schedule
The organization that advocates for the historic places throughout Williamson County will launch new tools, programs, and activations throughout May to promote preservation
FRANKLIN, TENN. – The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, announced today the schedule for its annual Preservation Month. Taking place throughout May, the Heritage Foundation will host a series of events, contests, and tours to highlight the historic properties within the county and promote the importance of preservation.
“As an organization, our main mission is to preserve, promote, and advocate for the historic places, stories, and culture of our community,” said Bari Beasley, President, and CEO of the Heritage Foundation. “Since our founding in 1967, preservation has been at the center of our mission, and in this year of so many triumphs such as the preservation of Lee-Buckner and the opening of the Moore-Morris History and Culture Center, we are so excited about this year’s programming. As our region continues to grow, we’re looking forward to highlighting the preservation of our unique history that makes our community so attractive.”
Throughout May, the Heritage Foundation will encourage locals and visitors to learn more about the importance of preservation, and what Williamson County has to offer. Events will range from Town Hall discussions to tours of historical landmarks, below is a list of what to expect with more details to come:
- May 8 – Sites to Save 2024 Announcement
- May 10 – #FindYourPlace Drawing Contest
- May 14 – Easement Program
- May 16 – Warwick Lecture Series: The History and Legacy of Poynor Chairs at the History and Culture Center
- May 20 – New Online Preservation Research Resources and Advocacy Tools
- May 29-30 – Cultivating Conversations 4th Annual Educators Institute
In celebration of Preservation Month, the Heritage Foundation launched an ongoing social media campaign #FindYourPlace, which encourages the community to get out in Williamson County, take a closer look at the picturesque buildings and landscapes throughout the community, and share on social media. The #FindYourPlace drawing contest will encourage children to express their creativity and showcase what they love about the community. New this year will be the Building of the Month Tour series, which will give community members expert-guided tours to some of Williamson County’s most architecturally significant buildings. To promote education and conversation Heritage Foundation will also host a Town Hall on the Road Program Series.
“Preservation month exists to remind us that old buildings and landscapes are the soul of our towns and cities. Without our deeply rooted sense of place and history, Middle Tennessee would not be experiencing the growth and success that it is today,” said Anna Marcum, Senior Director of Preservation. “The Preservation Easement Program and revamped preservation resources we are launching throughout May allow for residents to collaborate with the Heritage Foundation and take preservation into their own hands to protect what matters to their communities.”
Outside of Preservation Month, the Heritage Foundation hosts events year-round to celebrate the community and offers access to its history through sites like History & Culture Center of Williamson County. The center is the region’s first state-of-the-art, interactive exhibition space dedicated to telling its comprehensive area-wide history. The center is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm., and more information can be found here: https://williamsonhistorycenter.org/
For more details on Preservation Month and the mission of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, please visit: https://williamsonheritage.org/
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. Events and festivals produced by the Heritage Foundation such as Main Street Festival, the Heritage Ball, PumpkinFest and Dickens of a Christmas bring an estimated 300,000+ locals and visitors to downtown Franklin each year, creating a more than $10 million economic impact annually. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre, Downtown Franklin Association, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens, and its newest historic adaptive reuse project, The History & Culture Center of Williamson County. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.williamsonheritage.org.
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