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.