Civil War show leaves fairgrounds for Ag Expo
Memorabilia market includes weapons, uniforms, documents, art, books
By Bonnie Burch • THE TENNESSEAN • December 3, 2010
FRANKLIN — A city that had one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War is getting one of the largest memorabilia expos in the country.
The collectors' event had to move after organizers got word that the former fairgrounds site was no longer available.
"We'll have about the same amount of space," said promoter Mike Kent. "But the biggest advantage (in Franklin) is that we can be all under the same roof, whereas before, we were spread out among five roofs or so."
More than 900 tables will be set up all over the expo center's floor as dealers present authentic relics and artifacts, including Civil War-era swords, rifles and pistols, Confederate and Union uniforms and historical documents such as muster roles, officers' signatures and letters. There also will be other memorabilia, including paintings depicting famous battles and reference books about that time period.
Those who have Civil War antiques or who want to know the value of the family's heirloom Confederate belt buckle can get a free appraisal at the show.
"We'll have experts in every field you can think of there," Kent said. "These are some of the top dealers, collectors and experts in the country for many of these items. So it's also sort of an antiques road show as well."
Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8, but it is free for ages 12 and younger.
The event comes is occurring only a few days after the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, which was on Nov. 30, 1864.
"We've gotten a lot of support from the city and the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau," Kent said. "They've been really good at getting the word out."
