Three Groups. One Mission.

Battle of Franklin Trust, Save the Franklin Battlefield & Franklin’s Charge Make Preservation Matter

Over 160 years ago, November 30, 1864, the Battle of Franklin happened, thus providing the backdrop of one of the most critical pieces of history for Franklin and Williamson County. To say that the Battle of Franklin, in many ways, has come to define this community, is an overstatement at best. Battlefield and Civil War tourism are a backbone of our tourism economics here and the increased desire to preserve our historical sites and artifacts has become a hallmark of a nationally recognized preservation philosophy. 

In various ways, for several decades, much of what had been lost, has been found and recovered. The historic sites such as Carnton and the Carter House have become synonymous with Civil War history in our country and draw visitors from all over the world to learn about the bloodiest five hours of the Civil War – a story that can only be told, right here in Franklin. Preservationists are still working actively to ensure the story of the battle and the families who experienced it, are never forgotten. 

THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN TRUST 

The Battle of Franklin Trust is dedicated to a better understanding of a people forever impacted by the American Civil War. The Battle of Franklin Trust brings together the Carnton and Carter House, that were once separate, into one organization. The Trust diligently works to preserve and educate about the Civil War while sharing the stories of these historical landmarks. This preservation is a part of a larger movement that began years ago, when Franklin’s historic battlefield was threatened by modern day developments.

FRANKLIN'S CHARGE - PRESERVING THE FRANKLIN BATTLEFIELD

Franklin’s Charge is a vision and campaign for the preservation of historic open space. They are a 501(c)(3) Tennessee nonprofit corporation organized in 2005 dedicated to preserving America’s threatened Civil War battlefields in Williamson County. In addition, Franklin’s Charge has actively worked to educate the public about the 1864 Schofield- Hood campaigns, the 1864 Battle of Franklin, the 1863 Battle of Thompson’s Station, the Union earthworks in Triune, and other Civil War events in Middle Tennessee. Further, Franklin’s Charge has been an active participant in heritage tourism, American Civil War history programs, and preservation efforts.

Franklin’s Charge is a coalition of preservation organizations operating in Williamson County. Its membership consists of representatives of the African-American Heritage Society, The Battle of Franklin Trust, the Civil War Preservation Trust, the Franklin-Williamson County Chamber of Commerce, the Harpeth River Watershed Association, the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, the Land Trust for Tennessee, Inc., Save the Franklin Battlefield Association, the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association, the Tennessee National Civil War Heritage Area, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, and the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

Franklin’s Charge has been involved in an ongoing effort to acquire the Carter cotton gin property along Columbia Pike and to develop a battlefield park open to the public. Much progress has been made. However, the work is certainly not finished. Franklin's Charge will continue to seek to purchase and preserve additional core battlefield property.

Franklin's Charge is working to place six full size replica nonfiring cannons on carriages on the cotton gin portion of the Carter Hill Battlefield Park in the exact location these cannons occupied during the Battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864.

The cotton gin property consists of three acres along and east of Columbia Pike, across from and slightly south of The Carter House. The property was successfully reclaimed from commercial use by a private and public preservation effort. Following demolition of the commercial structures, the property was deeded to the City of Franklin for use as a city park to be called the Carter Hill Battlefield Park and becomes a part of more than twenty acres currently contained in the Carter Hill Battlefield Park. A group of interested citizens formed a committee called "The Cannon on the Battlefield Committee" to work toward raising the funds to place authentic, full size, non-firing replica Civil War cannons on carriages on the site to greatly enhance the historical accuracy of the site, enhance the visitor understanding and visual experience while visiting the site. Franklin's Charge is facilitating the fundraising efforts. For more information on Franklin’s Charge go to franklinscharge.org

SAVE THE FRANKLIN BATTLEFIELD

Save the Franklin Battlefield, Inc. is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded to protect, preserve, and promote the history of the November 30, 1864, Battle of Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee. War, large portions of the Franklin battlefield were built over by commercial developments, strip malls, and residential areas—earning Franklin a spot among America's most endangered battlefields.  In the early 2000’s – efforts to reclaim battlefield throughout Franklin - became a priority. The Collins Farm was Purchased in June 2001.   The 3.22-acre Collins Farm on Lewisburg Pike—was a pivotal killing ground where Confederate forces charged under heavy fire. 

In 2005 there was formation of a broader coalition. Recognizing that saving the remaining hallowed ground required a massive, coordinated effort, Save the Franklin Battlefield joined forces with other local and national groups. In 2005, an umbrella coalition called Franklin's Charge was organized, uniting groups like Save the Franklin Battlefield, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, the Battle of Franklin Trust, and the American Battlefield Trust (formerly the Civil War Trust). 

Since that time there has been ongoing preservation and education. Over the past two decades, the group has collaborated on raising funds, acquiring endangered parcels - such as the historic cotton gin epicenter and surrounding tracts on Columbia Avenue in downtown Franklin; publishing educational newsletters, hosting tours, and advocating for heritage tourism. 

It has recently been announced that the merger of Save the Franklin Battlefield and the Battle of Franklin Trust has been approved by both boards and is in process.  This cohesion between the two groups with combined efforts by board members, volunteers and donors, will only serve to heighten awareness and increase the success of the preservation of our history here in Williamson County. 

This year will mark the 162nd anniversary of the Battles of Spring Hill and Franklin, two important and pivotal moments in the Civil War. To commemorate their anniversaries, the Battle of Franklin Trust is hosting a series of tours at three historic landmarks: Carter House, Rippa Villa and Carnton. These tours will be sixty minutes where guests will be guided through each historic landmark to revisit the time they were used as battle fields rather than homes. The tours at Rippa Villa will take place November 29th at 7 and 9 p.m., the tours at the Carter House and Carnton will take place November 30th at the same times.

To understand Franklin’s true history means looking past the battlefield and being able to recognize the generations of families and members of the community they helped shape the city we see today. As we prepare for the 162nd anniversary, we recognize the continued work of all those who work towards preserving such historic sites. Franklin’s history remains a living part of its future.

In the words of preservationist Mary Pearce, "Let's save history and make history.” 

For more information on Battle of Franklin Trust please go to boft.org.