Friends of Franklin Parks gathered sponsors, community partners, and longtime supporters Thursday evening, August 13, on the lawn of Hayes House for the annual Raise the Roofs Sponsors Party, a thank-you event held ahead of the organization’s Raise the Roofs event.
Raise the Roofs is Friends of Franklin Parks’ annual fundraising event that supports preservation, restoration, and improvement projects for Franklin’s parks, trails, open spaces, and historic properties.
The Sponsors Party, sponsored by Highwoods Properties, gave Friends of Franklin Parks a chance to recognize the businesses, donors, and community partners who support Raise the Roofs and help make that work possible.
For Katie Murphy, Communications and Outreach Manager for Friends of Franklin Parks, the purpose of the evening was simple.
“It’s a gathering of old friends and new friends that have supported us over the years and specifically Raise the Roofs. It’s just a way to say thank you for being a friend of the parks,” she said.
15 Years of Raise the Roofs
Friends of Franklin Parks Executive Director Torrey Barnhill explained how the name of the event can be traced to efforts to preserve the historic structures at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm after the City of Franklin acquired the former horse farm.
“When the city bought Harlinsdale Farm, the structures were waiting to be resurrected or restored, and a group of very caring individuals said, ‘Let’s save the barn. We’ve got to raise the roof. It’s going to fall in,’” Barnhill said. “So they coined it Raise the Roofs.”
The name became especially fitting when restoration of Harlinsdale Farm’s historic Main Barn was completed.
“Last year, when the barn opened, we had raised the roofs,” Barnhill said.
The 15th anniversary also falls during the Year of the Horse, a fitting nod to Harlinsdale Farm’s longstanding place in Franklin’s equestrian history.
What began with an effort to preserve Harlinsdale has grown into support for parks, trails, historic properties, open spaces and other public amenities across Franklin.
Gary Vogrin, president of the Friends of Franklin Parks Board of Directors, told guests that those projects represent something larger than individual park improvements.
“They aren’t simply park projects. They are investments in our quality of life, our community, and the future of Franklin,” he said.
Raise the Roofs Returns to Harlinsdale Farm
The 15th annual Raise the Roofs will return to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm on Saturday, August 22, bringing supporters together under the big tent for food, drinks, and live music, followed by an after party.
Presented by Medical House Calls, a Middle Tennessee concierge healthcare provider offering on-demand urgent care in patients’ homes, this year’s fundraiser is led by co-chairs Amanda and Jeff Foster and April and Eric Jackson.
During Thursday’s Sponsors Party, Friends recognized the businesses and individuals helping make Raise the Roofs possible. In addition to Presenting Sponsor Medical House Calls, major sponsors include Midnight Sun Sponsors Jackie and Barry Alexander; Cocktail Reception Sponsors Bethni and Trent Hemphill; Premier Sponsors FirstBank and Suzette Catering and Events; Afterparty Sponsor Tennessee Equine Hospital; International Cup Polo Sponsor Tractor Supply Company; and Sponsors Party Sponsor Highwoods Properties.
A complete list of sponsors is available on the Friends of Franklin Parks Raise the Roofs page.
The August 22 event is sold out, something Barnhill said reflects the community’s continued support year after year. “We pick the hottest, usually rainiest weekend in August, and they continue to support us and rally around,” she said.
Raise the Roofs Silent Auction Supports New City Hall Park
Those without tickets for Raise the Roofs can still take part in this year’s fundraising through the 15th Annual Raise the Roofs Silent Auction, which is open to the community.
The auction features items and experiences donated by local businesses, restaurants, artists, and supporters. Among the offerings are Tennessee Titans suite tickets, a six-night stay in Cabo San Lucas, a Harpeth Hotel staycation, golf experiences, a guitar signed by Amy Grant and Vince Gill, a Jason Aldean-signed guitar, and a behind-the-scenes experience at Harlinsdale Farm with Clay and Faye Harlin.
Also included is Dan Klatt’s original painting, The Main Barn, created in recognition of the 15th anniversary of Raise the Roofs. Klatt and his artwork were recognized during the Sponsors Party, where organizers thanked him for helping commemorate the milestone.
Proceeds from the silent auction will support one of Friends of Franklin Parks’ newest projects: the central fountain planned for Franklin’s new one-acre City Hall Park at Third Avenue South and Church Street.
The park is being designed as a new public gathering space in the heart of downtown Franklin, with plans for a signature fountain, lawns, gardens, shade trees, trellises, seating and other gathering areas.
Friends of Franklin Parks has launched a $150,000 community campaign to support the fountain and park amenities, and Barnhill said the organization will match the amount raised through the silent auction.
“We’re going to raise money and gift the fountain centerpiece to the city,” Barnhill said. “We thought Friends should do it; friends of the community.”
Those who prefer to contribute directly can also donate to the Franklin City Hall Park fountain campaign through Friends of Franklin Parks.
Other Friends of Franklin Parks Projects Taking Shape
Beyond the City Hall Park campaign, Friends of Franklin Parks has several other projects moving forward.
At Harlinsdale Farm, Barnhill said restoration has begun on the historic Workers’ Houses, with fencing now in place around the project.
Another major project is Ellie G’s Dream World, Franklin’s first inclusive playground, which will be located within the new Pearlene M. Bransford Complex on the city’s southeast side. Barnhill said the project is expected to come online in 2028 and that concrete has been poured for the pavilion while infrastructure work for the larger park continues.
Barnhill also described plans for property Friends of Franklin Parks owns along Lewisburg Pike near Thompson Alley. She said the organization purchased approximately 3.3 acres there about five years ago, with plans for trails and an overlook extending toward the Harpeth River. According to Barnhill, the project is being coordinated with planned City sidewalk improvements, with the goal of eventually giving the property to the city.
Barnhill said projects like these illustrate how Friends works alongside the city and other community partners, sometimes over the course of several years, to move an idea toward completion.
“We’re continually, as a community, visioning and dreaming and figuring out how to get it done,” Barnhill said. “More and more people come to the party, and, you know, what an honor to be part of that.”
Barnhill said Friends of Franklin Parks also launched an endowment earlier this year to help sustain the organization’s work for future generations.
“For the future, so the next 15 years, we want to continue the legacy beyond all of us and ensure this is here for our family’s family,” she said.
Looking Toward the Next 15 Years
Barnhill said she continues to be struck by what can happen when people across the community work toward a common goal.
“I’m just in awe of how amazing groups of people come together, figure out what needs to get done alongside our wonderful partners in the city, and we just get it done,” she said.
For those interested in supporting the work, Friends of Franklin Parks offers opportunities to donate to the organization generally or to specific projects. Barnhill said contributions designated for individual projects are placed in restricted funds for that purpose, even when a project may take time to move forward.
It is a community-supported approach that dates back to the effort to save Harlinsdale Farm’s historic barn 15 years ago and continues through the projects Friends of Franklin Parks is helping move forward today.
As the Sponsors Party came to an end and the sun began to set over Hayes House, guests raised their glasses to the work already accomplished and what might come next.
“Here’s to 15 more years of Friends,” Barnhill said.
Raise the Roofs Sponsors Party Photo Gallery
Friends of Franklin Parks sponsors, community partners and supporters gathered August 13 on the lawn at Hayes House ahead of the 15th annual Raise the Roofs.
