Get ready to transform historic Downtown Franklin into a Victorian wonderland! This year's Dickens of a Christmas, presented by Wilson Bank & Trust, takes place on Saturday, December 13th (10 AM - 6 PM) and Sunday, December 14th (11 AM - 5 PM).
Join us for a festive weekend full of fun and holiday cheer as we recreate the time of Charles Dickens using our charming architecture as the backdrop. Our amazing volunteers are the heart of this beloved tradition, and we need YOU to help make history!
Immerse yourself in the story of a true Franklin icon! The Moore-Morris History and Culture Center is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest exhibition: Robert Hicks: Author, Collector, Preservationist.
This exhibition celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Robert Hicks (1951–2022)—the bestselling author of The Widow of the South, a dedicated preservationist who helped save the Battle of Franklin battlefield, and a cherished local neighbor. Through rare photographs, manuscripts, and objects from his personal archives, you will experience the many dimensions of his passion for place and story.
Don't miss the chance to explore this wonderful tribute. Get your tickets and come by to experience the legacy of Robert Hicks!
Join us at the LeHew Magid Big House (Old, Old Jail) on Friday, December 12th at 9 AM for a festive, wonderful morning of stories and Santa! We will be reading The Night Before Christmas (1823), a beloved Christmas Eve tale. The fun continues with Christmas Carols featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by a special Photo Op with the iconic couple. Connect with other families in the community and create a cherished holiday memory with your little one! Every registered child will take home a jingle bell from Santa’s reindeer.
Plus, thanks to our amazing sponsor, Middle Tennessee Electric, every registered child will take home their own copy of “The Night Before Christmas!”
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County is proud to unveil our annual list of historically significant and vulnerable sites in Williamson County. From the Williams-Fitzhugh-Gooch Home in Nolensville to the iconic Dry Stack Stone Walls, these properties highlight our shared history and urgent preservation needs.
Your engagement helps us protect these vital resources! Learn more about the specific properties in Franklin, Leiper's Fork, and Nolensville, and how you can join our efforts to preserve our community's rich heritage for future generations.
From deep roots to new beginnings, everyone cherishes special Williamson County places. We're inviting you to celebrate the landmarks and locations throughout our community that have shaped your life. Through our My Square Mile campaign, we're connecting people and places across our community.
Share your story and help us preserve what matters, together!
The non-profit Heritage Foundation operates The Franklin Theatre, Downtown Franklin Association, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens, and the Moore-Morris History & Culture Center of Williamson County, TN to preserve and enrich Williamson County for the betterment of its citizens and visitors.
Support the critical work of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County today! Each gift funds preservation & education initiatives in our area that sustain the historic charm that makes our community so beloved.
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN is a nonprofit that preserves, promotes and advocates for the historic places, stories and culture of our community.
Through preservation, education, and events, we actively maintain the historic beauty of Williamson County for our residents and visitors. Without this paramount work, significant buildings and locations representing our area’s diverse history and vibrant culture would be lost forever.
To be the reason the world knows and falls in love with Williamson County’s culture and history.
Whether you have time, funds or business connections to give, each are vitally necessary to sustain the work the Heritage Foundation does to enrich Williamson County. Let's talk, we know there is a meaningful way to get you involved.
WHY: Located in Nolensville, this home pre-dates the Civil War with connections to the founder of Nolensville. Despite being within the boundaries of the Historic Home District the property has come under threat twice within the past six months for demolition.
WHY: Located in West Harpeth, the structure also known as the John Neely House was built around 1810 using bricks crafted from the Neely’s enslaved population. The home has been altered through the years, but it maintains the original rare hall-parlor floor plan and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988.
WHY: Located in Leiper’s Fork, Beechwood Hall has been an ongoing effort in Williamson County preservation. Its architecture and connections to musicians such as Hank Williams are only part of its legacy. Though it has fallen into disrepair over the last 30 years, the property has stabilized under the current owner. However, the long-term fate is unknown if ownership happened to change hands.
WHY: These walls are a defining feature of the Tennessee landscape that are not protected by any kind of historic preservation ordinance. With rapid development, many are being lost simply because people don't understand their significance.
WHY: A National Historic Landmark building in the heart of downtown Franklin, the Masonic Hall is the oldest three-story building in Franklin and is the earliest significant Gothic Revival building in Tennessee. It is the oldest continually operating Masonic fraternity in the state. The Masonic fraternity known as Hiram Lodge No. 7 of Free and Accepted Masons was charted in 1809.
WHY: This home is a two-story frame and log residence located on the Franklin First United Methodist Church property near Franklin Road and Mack Hatcher. The home was built around 1812 and was the farm of Revolutionary War veteran Daniel MacMahon, one of the county’s earliest settlers. The current concerns for the home are water damage, mold, and other issues. The Heritage Foundation team is encouraged by recent conversations with church leadership.
WHY: Intimate family cemeteries are abundant in Tennessee and an important feature of the state's landscape. The legacy they hold, Williamson county’s pioneers, early settlers, leaders, etc. offers a chance for community members and visitors from far and wide a chance to reflect on the past and look towards the future. Raising awareness for their deteriorating conditions and how to help them is crucial to their survival.
WHY: Local general stores and grocery stores used to be the heart of Williamson County communities—contributing as voting offices, public hearing spaces, and news sources. While Beard’s Grocery has been restored and still remains active today, many of these places—like Overby’s General Store—sit abandoned and left unloved. Through the preservation efforts of dedicated owners (like the family that owns Beard’s Grocery), the local community and the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, these sites can be saved and repurposed while still carrying on their legacy.
