Sheryl Crow donates $20K

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Nearly 5,000 shoppers flooded Williamson County over the weekend to attend the City Farmhouse Holiday Pop-Up Fair at The Factory at Franklin, an antiques and vintage market that featured 35 vendors across the country – one of them being Sheryl Crow, who donated proceeds from the event to a non-profit close to her heart.

Through their purchases at the City Farmhouse Pop-up, shoppers – who were represented by states up and down the East Coast, and everywhere in between – helped bring in more than $20,000 for the World Food Program U.S.A., an organization that Crow has supported for years.

The Nashville-based celebrity, who says City Farmhouse is “her favorite spot to shop for antiques,” offered a range of goods from her personal stash to shoppers over the three-day event, selling everything from antique and vintage pieces to parts of her art collection and other home decor items.

“Our first holiday pop-up market was a huge success, and we are so thankful to Sheryl for jumping in for a good cause. People came to Franklin from all over to see her and shop the show,” said Kim Leggett, organizer of the City Farmhouse Pop-up Fairs. “Many of the vendors have said this is one of their best shows they’ve ever had.”

Coordinated by Kim and David Leggett, this is the first City Farmhouse Pop-up Fair that the pair has hosted at The Factory at Franklin, a former warehouse that is also home to their popular brick-and-mortar antiques store (also named City Farmhouse).

Kim says the experience was so enjoyable at The Factory at Franklin – for both guests and vendors – that they plan to have all future City Farmhouse Pop-up Fairs at the venue on Franklin Road, just a mile from the heart of downtown Franklin.

“There’s such a cool energy happening at The Factory right now with all the new shops and restaurants, and it’s the perfect space to host an event like this,” said Kim Leggett, organizer of the City Farmhouse Pop-up Fair. “We’re so excited about this show that we’re already planning the next one in June!”

A special Holiday Pop-up preview party kicked off the market on Friday night, and allowed ticket holders to sip ‘n’ shop the show while listening to a live performance by Nashville’s own Jamie Higdon. On Saturday and Sunday, the fun continued as the pop-up shoppers paid a $10 ticket to browse the hand-selected vendors’ booths, full of antique goods, seasonal wares and a range of timely gift items. In addition to selling her wares for charity, Crow also hosted two autograph sessions over the weekend for fans.

Those who missed the opportunity to enjoy the 2015 City Farmhouse Holiday Pop-up Fair need not worry: the Leggetts are already coordinating the next series for next year, and plan to announce 2016 dates in the coming months.

To learn more about City Farmhouse and their pop-up events, go to www.cityfarmhousefranklin.com.

More about City Farmhouse

City Farmhouse is a lifestyle brand that offers modern farmhouse style for urban & rural living. The brand is driven by Kim and David Leggett, a duo who’ve been “pickers” for more than 20 years, and whose trained eye and vivacious personalities have earned them national acclaim – from individuals interested in following popular vintage trends to interior designers.

To learn more about City Farmhouse brand, the City Farmhouse brick-and-mortar store in Franklin, Tenn., and the City Farmhouse Pop-up Fairs, go to www.cityfarmhousefranklin.com.

Photo credit: @alissasaylorphotography @alissasaylor

Mens Basketball Leagues

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The Athletics Division of Williamson County Parks and Recreation announces open registration for 2016 adult winter D1/D2 basketball leagues at Academy Park Gym, 114 Everbright Ave. in Franklin. The D1 and D2 leagues begin on Sundays in January.

 

The league fee is $475 per team and registration is online at www.wcparksandrec.com (code # 5791). Leagues will play a round robin format followed by a single elimination tournament. League registration ends January 4. For more information, contact Chris Gravlee at (615) 370-3471, ext. 2114.

 

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams, classes and events. For more information about the facilities and programs of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.wcparksandrec.com, or call (615) 790-5719, ext. 2010. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

 

Homes for the Holidays

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Tour to showcase homes and churches for two nights of festive décor, holiday fare and music

 

First Tennessee Bank presents Homes for the Holidays Candlelight Tour benefiting Bridges Domestic Violence Center and historic preservation will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. each night. Visitors will get an inside look into several Franklin homes and churches and enjoy the various styles of holiday decorations that exhibit the balance between historic charm and modern allure. The tour falls on the same weekend as the Heritage Foundation’s Dickens of a Christmas event, and guests are encouraged to come for the celebration and stay for the home tours.

In making the announcement, founding Bridges board member and historical preservationist Pam Lewis said, “We’re so pleased to open a festive collection of lovely historic and new homes along with several churches for a holiday candlelight tour in downtown Franklin. This tour demonstrates the rich heritage we enjoy in Franklin and highlights creative ways to celebrate, decorate and enjoy the blessings of the season.”

 

Homes and churches on the tour include:

  • Phillip Catholic Church – Old Sanctuary, 113 2nd Ave. South
  • Cumberland Presbyterian, 615 W. Main Street
  • Lotz House, 1111 Columbia Avenue
  • Ty’s House – Hard Bargain Association, 608 Mt. Hope Street
  • O’More College of Design, 423 S. Margin Street
  • Landmark Books, 114 E. Main Street
  • The home of Lisa and Brian Beathard, 704 Fair Street
  • The home of Kelly and Chad Dannenfelser, 315 Fourth Ave. South
  • The home of Ann Johnson, 1211 Carnton Lane
  • The home of Lydia and Tom Miller, 1328 Carnton Lane
  • The home of Erika and Marcus Frazier, 1508 Holmes Circle
  • The home of Rebecca and John Burns, 1136 Carnton Lane

 

“We’re pleased to celebrate the holidays while acknowledging the history of the Lotz House,” said Lotz House Executive Director J.T. Thompson. “The festive decorations will make the visitors feel as if they have stepped back in time with the Lotz family.”

The variety of historic and new sites on the tour will be filled with special collections and personalized décor that celebrate their own unique traditions. The Lotz House will serve holiday fare such as hot cider and Christmas cookies. Decorations in the house will be representative of the time period of the 1864 Battle of Franklin, with fresh décor of pulled cotton, harvested nuts, fresh apples, magnolia leaves and holly. The home of Ann Johnson will offer festive foods and feature her collection of antiques, salvaged barn wood floors and refurbished cedar beams. Cumberland Presbyterian will provide holiday music, period décor and a 25-foot Christmas tree. The campus of O’More College of Design will be decorated by its talented design students. The home of Rebecca and John Burns will feature handmade crocheted Christmas ornaments and a Crystal angel collection. Period costumed and festive interpreters and holiday music will be at many of the sites throughout the tour.

  • Advance tickets are $30 per person or two for $55 and include a tour of all homes and churches. Tickets at the door on Dec. 12 and 13 are $32 per person or two for $60. Groups of 10 or more are $25 each. Please note that tickets are non-refundable. Tour patrons are welcomed to split up the tour over both days if desired.

 

Tickets are available at these locations:

  • Lotz House, 1111 Columbia Avenue, 615-790-7190, lotzhouse.com
  • The Heritage Foundation, 134 2nd Ave North, 615-591-8500, historicfranklin.com
  • Bridges Domestic Violence Center, 615-599-8064, bridgesdvc.org
  • Westhaven Resident’s Club, 401 Cheltenham Ave, 615-791-9250, westhaventn.com
  • Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 150 4th Avenue North G-250, 615-791-7554, visitfranklin.com
  • The Shop Around The Corner, 117 3rd Avenue North, 615-599-1652
  • FirstBank, 510 Columbia Avenue, Suite 106 at 5 Points, 615-435-2460, firstbankonline.com

 

About First Tennessee Bank

First Tennessee Bank was founded during the Civil War in 1864 and has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country, as well as one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. First Tennessee and FTN Financial are part of First Horizon National Corporation (NYSE:FHN), which has 4,300 employees. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation’s best employers by Forbes, Working Mother and American Banker magazines. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com.

About Bridges

Bridges Domestic Violence Center serves women, men and their children affected by domestic violence, ensuring a safe transition to successful independent living through education, intervention and case management. More information is available at www.bridgesdvc.org.

Art Crawl

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The Franklin Art Scene will open its doors this Friday with fabulous art to view for all.  The first-Friday art crawl, which has consistently grown in attendance since its 2011 conception, will feature 30-plus participating locations in Historic Franklin’s core.

Art Scene locations are dispersed throughout downtown, including the antique district and spots up and down Columbia Avenue. There is no set starting point for art crawl participants; guests are encouraged to begin at any map location. Trolleys circulate among all the stops throughout the night, and $5 buys an unlimited wristband to jump on and off at will from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

To download maps and applications, visit www.franklinartscene.com. To stay updated with featured artists showing at individual locations, check out www.facebook.com/FranklinArtScene.

 

About the Franklin Art Scene

In 2011, a group of Downtown Franklin Association (DFA) members launched the monthly Franklin Art Scene to promote local talent and community relationships in Historic Downtown Franklin, Tenn. Since its inception, the first-Friday event has been a unique experience for both the art novice and the connoisseur, offering a sweeping variety of magnificent work that ranges from blown glass and mixed-media pieces to original paintings and handcrafted jewelry.

The 30-plus participating locations are dispersed throughout downtown Franklin’s core. For more information, visit www.franklinartscene.com or www.facebook.com/FranklinArtScene.

Visit http://franklinartscene.com to learn more!

2016 Featured Artist

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May 2016 will mark the 75th year of Nashville’s rite of spring, the Iroquois Steeplechase, as Music City’s annual celebration of the time-honored traditions surrounding horse racing in Tennessee. Among those traditions is the selection of a Featured Artist by the Volunteer State Horsemen’s Foundation, the non-profit organization behind the Steeplechase.

The Iroquois Steeplechase has chosen Chattanooga-based artist Hollie Berry to create its official painting for the 75th anniversary, a work that will reflect the iconic race and be available for purchase in the non-profit’s annual online auction.

Berry, a full-time artist who often celebrates horses in her work, is a Steeplechase race-day veteran and has long admired the organization’s work.

 

“I’ve been fascinated with horses ever since I can remember, and I look forward to the races each year,”  Berry said. “For me, it’s all about the action of the horse, the excitement of the race and the thundering sound of hooves as the horses run past you on the green. I’ve also fallen in love with the vibrant colors of the silks and the fantastic hats and finery of the spectators—I can’t wait to convey all of that in my painting.”

Dwight Hall, chairman of the Volunteer State Horsemen’s Foundation, says the committee selected Berry for her particular passion for equine painting and for her attention to detail in bringing the sport to life on canvas.

“Hollie has a very obvious gift for taking what makes steeplechasing so fascinating, and translating that in her work,” Hall said. “We believe she will be able to capture the magic of the day, and that the viewer will be able to feel the race-day excitement through Hollie’s art.”

Berry says she first heard about the Featured Artist designation through a friend, and has since been working toward the honor. She went so far as to meet with 2014 Featured Artist Christopher Huffman to gain a better understanding of the role, and paid special attention during last year’s races through her camera lens.

“Last year, I brought my camera and began taking photos and making notes of my surroundings in preparation for my submission. I’ve been practicing from those images, until I felt that my portfolio application would be up to the Steeplechase standards,” Berry said. “I’ve been working towards this for two years, and couldn’t be more honored or thrilled to have been selected.”

Berry is currently working with the Volunteer State Horsemen’s Foundation on the composition and direction of the painting, which will be revealed in Winter 2016. To learn more about the artist and her work, visit www.art-instincts.com.

For more information about pre-purchasing a limited-edition print, call the Iroquois Steeplechase offices at 615-591-2991.

Tickets to the Iroquois Steeplechase’s 75th anniversary race on May 14, 2016 are now available. For more information, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org.

MORE ABOUT THE IROQUOIS STEEPLECHASE​

This iconic sporting event has been Nashville’s rite of spring since 1941, attracting more than 25,000 spectators to watch the best horses and riders in the world race over hurdles on a three-mile turf track. Held the second Saturday of each May at Percy Warner Park, the Iroquois Steeplechase is Music City’s annual celebration of time-honored traditions, Tennessee hospitality and Southern fashions.

Those who attend enjoy areas for families, well-appointed tents and individually organized tailgates where the emphasis is on race day pickings, larger-than-life hats, Honey Jack Juleps and crowd-pleasing recipes. More importantly, guests support a cause at the heart of the event: Since being designated as the official charity in 1981, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has received more than $10 million from Iroquois Steeplechase proceeds. For more information, go to www.iroquoissteeplechase.org.

Mary Poppins the Musical

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Though 50 years have passed since the Disney film “Mary Poppins” was released, the story of the magical English nanny still charms audiences today. The whole family will enjoy this live theatre experience, featuring memorable songs like “A Spoonful of Sugar”, “Chim Chim Cher-ee“, and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”.

 

Advance tickets are on sale for $8 at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. Children 3 and younger are admitted free if sitting on a parent’s lap. Performances are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday December 3, 4 and 5 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Freedom Middle School, 750 Highway 96 West in Franklin. Non-perishable food will be collected at each performance for The Well Outreach Food Pantry.

“Mary Poppins” is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. For more information, go to www.wcparksandrec.com.

 

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams, classes and events. For more information about the facilities and programs of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.wcparksandrec.com, or call (615) 790-5719, ext. 2010. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County Parks and Recreation on Facebook or following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or on Pinterest.

Small Business Saturday

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Historic Downtown Franklin is coming together on Saturday, Nov. 28, to support Small Business Saturday, a national effort to help independently owned merchants gain more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. The 150 shops and restaurants in downtown Franklin will offer special promotions and events the day after Black Friday to encourage patrons to shop local.

 

“Small Business Saturday is one way the community shows appreciation for our small businesses,” said Kristy Williams, Downtown Franklin Association director. “It’s our hope that we can help create a new tradition for families; a Christmas kick-off day in downtown Franklin that promotes relationships in a fun, non-chaotic, environment.”

 

Last year, patrons across the country spent $14.3 billion on Small Business Saturday, and this year is expected to be even bigger.

 

“With our Merriest Main Street Reveal happening just days before—in addition to the Hop & Shop Trolley that will be giving shoppers free round trip rides to Historic Downtown from The Factory at Franklin—it’s never been easier to get out and support local merchants while soaking in the holiday cheer,” said Williams.

 

The strip will be filled with sights and sounds of the season as merchants and building owners decorate their storefronts to make Franklin the “Merriest Main Street” around.

 

“The Heritage Foundation and our merchants have done a fabulous job implementing this initiative to give the public an extra dose of enchantment this season,” said Marianne DeMeyers, Downtown Franklin Association president and owner of Tin Cottage. “This will add even more magic to downtown Franklin, and we couldn’t be more excited to see the effect.”

 

Some of the specials our DFA members are offering include:

 

  • Avec Moi – Morning mimosas

 

  • Ecco Salon  – Refreshments, 10 percent off regular priced products, 20 percent off next three services when booked on Small Business Saturday.

  • Finnleys Good Findings – Light refreshments, including mulled cider and fruit. Will also be handing out favors to guests who arrive on the 25th of each hour

 

  • Handy Hardware – Free gift wrapping of purchases from Handy Hardware

 

  • It’s Vintage, Baby – Free ornament ($15 value) for every $150 spent

 

  • Mellow Mushroom – Hot Totties, featuring Bird Dog apple whiskey with a caramel and cinnamon rim, and an apple slice/ cinnamon stick garnish

 

  • Puckett’s Boat House –  Purchase a $100 gift card, get an additional $20 and purchase a $50 gift card, get an additional $10

 

  • Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant  – Buy one bottle of BBQ sauce, get one free; purchase a $100 gift card, get an additional $20 and purchase a $50 gift card, get an additional $10

 

  • Savory Spice – Gift packs containing four jars or more will be buy one, get three free

 

  • Taziki’s – Special catering menu, all items are $5

 

  • The Coffee House – Anyone who brings in a receipt showing purchase from a local retailer will receive a free cup of coffee

 

  • The Shop Around the Corner – Hot cider and muffins

 

  • The Visitor Center – For every $35 spent in the Visitor Center, customers will receive a free Franklin logo mason jar

 

  • Vue Optique – Offering a $100 voucher to use toward a complete pair of prescription eyewear, not covered by insurance

 

  • Walton’s Antique Jewelry – 10% off everything in the store

 

To learn more about Historic Downtown Franklin and the work of the Downtown Franklin Association, visit its website at www.downtownfranklintn.com.

 

More About Downtown Franklin Association

Since its founding in 1984, the Downtown Franklin Association (DFA) has spearheaded the revitalization of Franklin’s historic downtown core. We’ve done it by following the four-point program of the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation: Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.

 

Working in partnership with the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County–the DFA’s parent organization–and with property owners, preservationists, city and county government, and local businesses in our historic retail district, the DFA has helped create one of the nation’s Main Street success stories. We’ve earned national recognition as an authentic, eclectic place that offers something for everyone in an atmosphere that reminds locals and visitors alike of a simpler time in our history – a place where community matters.

Dickens of a Christmas

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Step back in time with the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County when Dickens of a Christmas returns to Franklin’s Main Street December 12-13, 2015.

 

Sponsored this year by Nissan, the 31st annual free street festival will recreate the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s Victorian architecture as the backdrop.  Some 200 musicians, dancers and characters will fill the streets, including several from Charles Dickens’s stories.  Expect to see and interact with the nefarious Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim Cratchit with his parents from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children.

 

“Dickens of a Christmas is the perfect event for our historic Main Street,” said Mary Pearce, executive director of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.  “Downtown Franklin always exudes its own special magic, and yet this event adds an extra bit of sparkle.  It dovetails perfectly with our preserved Victorian architecture and our commitment to saving and showcasing our historical treasures. As more attention is turned toward downtown Franklin in both the local and national press, we encourage festival goers to dress in Victorian costume and to add to the ambiance as they stroll the streets.  Adding even a hat and scarf to modern attire helps set the scene and get everyone in the holiday mood.”

 

This year’s event will reprise a crowd favorite from last year: it WILL snow at Dickens of a Christmas!  Come decked out in holiday style to capture that perfect family picture.

 

New this year will be the Lucky Scruff Wintery Whisker Revue, a competition among hirsute gentlemen for the finest facial hair.  Those taking advantage of No Shave November will want to hang on to their whiskers until the Sunday afternoon competition on the stage at the Public Square. Winners will take home fabulous prizes courtesy of Lucky Scruff, a new store at The Factory specializing in accessories for the bearded gentleman, and all entrants will receive gift cards. The judging will take place at 3pm. To enter this contest, visit the Dickens event page at HistoricFranklin.com.

 

Favorite Victorian-era activities will return, including sugar plums and roasted chestnuts being sold on the street. Other food vendors will offer heartier old English fare.  A variety of musical and dance performances will take place both on the street and on the stage at City Hall.  Horse-drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo for children, live artisan demonstrations, and more than 70 vendors offering holiday arts and crafts will line Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenues.  Each day will conclude with a town sing of classic Christmas carols.  Saturday’s town sing will take place in front of the stage on the Public Square; Sunday’s town sing will be conducted inside the Historic Presbyterian Church at Five Points.

 

Dickens of a Christmas will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 13.  The event is free and open to the public; some attractions will involve a small fee.  More information and a schedule of events will be available at www.historicfranklin.com.

 

Producing Dickens of a Christmas is just one of the many activities of The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County.  Since 1967 the non-profit group has been dedicated to protecting and preserving Williamson County’s historic, architectural and geographic resources; in short, saving the places that matter.

 

Breakfast with Santa and the Minions

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Santa will be making a special trip from the North Pole to visit the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. for “Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Those mischievous minions will be on hand, and Williamson County Parks and Recreation invites parents and kids ages 10 and younger to join the fun. A continental breakfast will be served, including pastries, muffins, milk and fruit juice. During the event, each child will have time to sit on Santa’s lap and share Christmas toy wishes. The cost is $10 per child (parents are free). Bring your cameras and take your own photos with Santa!

 

On-line reservations are required, and space is limited for this event. To make a reservation, go to www.wcparksandrec.com (event code #5511). This event is sponsored by: Unity Chiropractic; McDonald’s; Krispy Kreme Doughnuts; Chick-fil-A; Publix; Mapco Mart; and True Value.

Lecture Series, Blue & Gray Days, Evening Tours and more

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Lecture: Hood, Cleburne, and Wagner at the Battle of Franklin: How Personalities Impacted Nov. 30, 1864

November 19, 2015
6:00 pm

Join us for a free lecture at the Fleming Center at Carnton Plantation. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited to the first 100 guests.

Morning Battlefield Tour
November 27, 2015
8:00 am – 9:30 am

Historian and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric A. Jacobson will lead a morning battlefield tour beginning from The Carter House. The cost is $25 and each attendee will get 25% off their purchase of Battle of Franklin related books. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org for more information or to make a reservation.

Battle of Franklin 5K Run/Walk & Kids’ Fun Run
November 28, 2015

Join us for a commemorative 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run on November 28, 2015! Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Click here to register now! For more information, please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org.

Spring Hill Battlefield Tour
November 29, 2015
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Historian and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO will lead a tour of the Spring Hill battlefield. All attendees will also receive one free house tour admission to either Carter House or Carnton. The cost is $25. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org for more information or to make a reservation.

Morning Battlefield Tour
November 30, 2015
8:00 am – 9:30 am

Historian and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric A. Jacobson will lead a morning battlefield tour beginning from The Carter House. The cost is $25 and each attendee will get 25% off their purchase of Battle of Franklin related books. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org for more information or to make a reservation.

The 151st Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin and Annual Illumination
November 30, 2015
4:30 pm

To commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, 10,000 luminaries, representing the casualties of the battle, will be lit at dusk in the field adjacent to Carnton Plantation. This event is free to the public. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Brittany Mayfield at (615) 794-0903 or brittany@boft.org. Please note: the last guided tours at The Carter House and Carnton Plantation on November 30 will begin at 3:00 pm and the sites will close at 4:00 pm.