The City of Franklin, along with Local and National Preservation Partners, Close On the Carter Hill

Franklin, Tenn. – The City of Franklin along with local and national preservation partners closed on a land transaction that will result in the creation of a city battlefield park along Columbia Avenue in downtown Franklin, to be known as the Carter Hill Battlefield Park. The Civil War Trust, The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, The Battle of Franklin Trust, and Franklin’s Charge, Inc. transferred acres of property to the City of Franklin that will be converted into a public battlefield park in the vicinity of the Carter House, a national landmark site.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the Board unanimously approved purchasing the Carter Hill Battlefield Park property from the battlefield organizations. The battlefield organizations had paid $6.8 million over a number of years to acquire the property. The groups transferred the property to the City in exchange for $1.5 million to be paid by the City on a non-interest basis over 7 years from hotel-motel taxes collected by the City.

Part of the transaction involved the simultaneous acquisition by Franklin’s Charge and The Battle of Franklin Trust of property owned by Brenda and Reid Lovell, which property adjoins the Carter House. Long recognized as one of the nation’s most important Civil War battlefield acquisitions, the Lovell property will be transferred to the City of Franklin to be included in the Carter Hill Battlefield Park. The Lovell acquisition was made possible by a grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, a division of the national park service, fundraising conducted by the Civil War Trust and local fundraising groups, and a favorable loan from First Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Julian Bibb, president of Franklin’s Charge, and Robert Hicks, founder of the group praised the collaborative partnership that exists between the City of Franklin, the Civil War Trust, and local preservation groups. In discussing the collaborative partnership, Bibb said. “There is no other place in America like Franklin.”

Chuck Isaacs, Senior Commercial Relationship Manager of First Farmers and Merchants Bank said that “First Farmers and Merchants Bank is proud to support local businesses, nonprofits and governments in the communities we serve across Middle Tennessee.” He went on to say, “This is a historic project for the City of Franklin that will enhance our burgeoning tourist economy as well as add additional public open space for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

“This property is key in continuing to tell the story of The Battle of Franklin,” commented The Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric Jacobson. “Franklin was once one of the most endangered battlefields in America and now it is a shining example of preservation. It is wonderful to see several different organizations join together to further reclaim the battlefield.”

Battlefield Park
The creation of the Carter Hill Battlefield Park is the next step in the ongoing preservation movement. The park will add to the significant economic impact of heritage tourism in Williamson County. City Administrator, Eric Stuckey noted, “This is an important step forward in achieving the vision of a park that honors Franklin’s history, welcomes our visitors, and brings the community together.”

In addition to the preservation groups named above, participating organizations involved in this historic transaction were The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, led by Dr. Carroll Van West; Save the Franklin Battlefield; and the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

About The Battle of Franklin Trust
The Battle of Franklin Trust is a 501(c)3 management corporation acting on behalf of Franklin’s battlefield sites to contribute to a greater understanding and enrich the visitor experience of the November 30, 1864 battle. It is organized for the charitable and educational purposes of preserving, restoring, maintaining and interpreting the properties, artifacts and documents related to the battle so as to preserve an important part of the nation’s history.

About First Farmers and Merchants Corporation and First Farmers and Merchants Bank
First Farmers and Merchants Corporation is the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, a community bank serving the Middle Tennessee area through 19 banking locations in eight Middle Tennessee counties. As of December 31, 2015, First Farmers reported total assets of approximately $1.3 billion, total shareholders’ equity of approximately $118 million, and administered trust assets of $4.2 billion. For more information about First Farmers, visit First Farmers and Merchants Bank on the Web at www.myfirstfarmers.com under the “Our Story” and “Investor Relations” tab.