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.
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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.
Franklin Theatre to premier long-awaited film on Franklin’s Unknown Soldier
"Two years after thousands of people lined Franklin’s downtown streets to honor the sacrifice of an unknown Civil War soldier recovered from the battlefield, the long-awaited premiere of the film chronicling the event and its impact has arrived." Read more at The Williamson Herald.
Battle of Franklin Animated Map
Thanks to the Civil War Preservation Trust, a new animated map of the Tennessee campaign and the Battle of Franklin has been released. Click to view the map. Help lead the charge as continued efforts are made to save the very significant Franklin battlefield.
Recent News:
Encore Presentation of Heading Back Home Film Includes Panel Discussion with Noted Historians
State Helps Fund Battlefield Road
State of Tennessee Awards $500,000 Grant for Eastern Flank Battlefield Loop Road
June Civil War Roundtable Coming Up.
Candids! Check out our latest photos.
Robert Hicks Discusses the Importance of the American Civil War on CBS Sunday Morning.
2011 Marks the Official Start of the Civil War Sesquicentennial
