Heritage Ball to Celebrate 40 years of Preservation Success
From Roper’s Knob to the Franklin Theatre, and a long list of historic treasures saved in between, the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County has a lot to celebrate. The 40th Annual Heritage Ball, to be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin, will be a retrospective on all that has been accomplished over the course of nearly a half century.
The Foundation’s work could not be done without its members and supporters, including corporate sponsors who underwrite significant expenses for key fundraising events. FirstBank has agreed to serve again as presenting sponsor for the Heritage Ball, underscoring their commitment to the community and the Heritage Foundation’s mission.
“FirstBank is making a big investment in downtown Franklin because we believe in the value of our history, and the Heritage Foundation has been the driving force behind preserving and enhancing our historic treasures,” said Gordon Inman, FirstBank’s Chairman – Middle Tennessee. “We’re excited about the restoration of the Historic Five Points Post Office, and about working with the Heritage Foundation on other projects moving forward. The Ball is a wonderful way to celebrate 40 years of success and to raise funds toward the future, and we are delighted to be a part of it.”
Jan and Andy Marshall, long-time Williamson County residents who own and operate the very popular Puckett’s family of restaurants, have been named the 2013 Ball chairs.
Andy took the path of his father’s grocery store business, purchasing his first Piggly Wiggly store at the age of 26, and eventually owned several stores in the area. He was president of the Tennessee Grocers Association, but his love of food, music and community began to steer him in a different direction in the mid-‘90s. In 1998, he opened Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant in Leiper’s Fork, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, the Marshalls own Puckett’s restaurants in downtown Franklin, downtown Nashville and downtown Columbia. Puckett’s Boat House in downtown Franklin opened last year, and the Marshalls are part owners in Gray’s on Main, set to open this spring on historic Franklin’s Main Street. The restaurants have won multiple awards for best barbecue, meat and three, service, music and more.
Through the first decade of Puckett’s growth, Jan served as the company’s marketing and public relations arm. Previously, she was a director of admissions at Franklin Road Academy. She continues to play a central role in the development of the Puckett’s family of restaurants. The Marshalls have been married for 26 years, and have three adult children, Claire, Emily and Cliff. Their first grandchild is due this summer.
“We’ve always been proud to be associated with the Heritage Foundation, and it is a true honor to be asked to serve as chairs of the Heritage Ball,” Jan Marshall said. “We’re looking forward to working with the team to make the 40th Anniversary event one that will be remembered another half century from now.”
Angela Calhoun is returning as design chair, having produced a number of spectacular Balls over the last several years. She says the theme will reflect the landmark anniversary, with the color scheme associated with the traditional red that accompanies a 40-year commemoration.
“We are planning some special surprises throughout the evening that I think will make this one of the most memorable events ever,” Calhoun said. “Every year, we try to build upon and top what has been done before, so our goal is to deliver an amazing experience that will dazzle all of the senses!”
All proceeds from the Heritage Ball benefit the work of the 46-year-old Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. For more information on the Ball, and to learn more about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.historicfranklin.com or call Torrey Barnhill at (615) 591-8500, Ext. 20.
