Franklin’s historic resources—its buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, battlefields, cultural sites, and the stories tied to them—form the foundation of the community’s character and identity. These assets not only embody the city’s past, but also contribute to its economic vitality, quality of life, and sense of place. As Franklin continues to grow, development pressures, rising land values, demographic shifts, climate challenges, and evolving community needs make it essential to plan proactively for the stewardship of these resources. The Themes, Goals, and Recommendations in this Preservation Plan offer a strategic framework to guide that work. The plan’s themes span the full scope of preservation: documenting and protecting historic places; reinforcing the character of existing neighborhoods; conserving cultural landscapes; advancing battlefield stewardship; elevating underrepresented stories; strengthening heritage tourism; supporting small business vitality; cultivating preservation partnerships and education; and preparing historic resources for environmental resilience. While each theme focuses on a distinct aspect of Franklin’s heritage, together they reflect a comprehensive, future focused approach to preservation. Across all sections, several shared goals emerge. First, Franklin must continue to invest in identifying and documenting the historic resources—both physical and cultural—that tell the story of the city’s growth Overview and its diverse communities. Second, the city must ensure that development complements rather than replaces or erodes historic character, whether along major corridors, in older neighborhoods, or in sensitive cultural landscapes. Third, preservation work must remain inclusive and adaptive, ensuring that narratives of Black communities, Indigenous history, Civil War experiences, and other historically marginalized voices are meaningfully represented. Fourth, Franklin must balance heritage tourism with residents’ quality of life while supporting a strong and authentic local business environment. Finally, long term resilience and coordinated stewardship are essential to protect historic resources from natural hazards, disrepair, and marketdriven pressures. These themes and goals are not simply about retaining the past—they are about shaping Franklin’s future. Preserving historic resources sustains community identity, supports housing and economic diversity, strengthens environmental and cultural stewardship, deepens public understanding, and ensures that Franklin continues to be a place where history is not just remembered, but actively lived. This Plan provides the tools, policies, and partnerships to help Franklin navigate growth thoughtfully while maintaining the character and authenticity that residents cherish and visitors seek. 100 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
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