Franklin's Charge: A Vision for reclaiming America's Battlefield
Saving the Landscapes of America’s Civil War at Franklin
In 2005, the combination of the generosity of Rod and Kay Heller and a brilliant article in National Geographic magazine served as the catalyst to put the Battle of Franklin back on the map. Franklin’s Charge, Inc., was born out of necessity in 2005 with one mission. The task was to protect a 112 acre piece of core battlefield property in Franklin, Tennessee.
The property in question served as a country club golf course, however, the property had been slated to be sold and developed into houses. Rod and Kay Heller generously stepped up and held the land for one year while Franklin’s Charge, Inc., raised $5 million dollars to pay for the property. With a timely article by Adam Goodheart, the National Geographic did for the Battle of Franklin what it could never have done alone. Suddenly, the country knew that the battlefield at Franklin was at risk.
Urgently, Franklin’s Charge, Inc., worked with the City of Franklin to save the 112 acres. The group raised $2.5 million dollars which was matched dollar for dollar by the City of Franklin. The $5 million dollars was raised, the property was purchased from the Hellers. The City of Franklin now owns the property and has since incorporated the land into its park system.
This effort has been described by Jim Lighthizer, CEO, Civil War Preservation Trust, as "the largest public-private cooperative effort in the history of Civil War Preservation".
In 2008, Franklin’s Charge, Inc., rose to another challenge. This time the challenge was to preserve a piece of property on the main Highway 31 in Franklin. The property was for sale and a purchaser was in the process of obtaining permission to put condominiums on the property. Franklin’s Charge, Inc., stepped in to purchase the property to protect it forever from development. This property is currently being referred to as the Carter Cotton Gin site.
Recent News:
Civil War Round Table to Tour Lotz House
Franklin's Charge Hosts Third Annual Symposium
Franklin's Charge Formalizes Affiliation with Round Table
Sons of Union Veterans to Honor African American Soldiers
Post War photo and reunion expert to speak at Round Table
