GOAL 1 Develop a citywide interpretive plan that provides a strategic roadmap to further curate and share Franklin’s unique cultural, historical, and environmental heritage. RECOMMENDATIONS: Identify the key elements of a citywide interpretive plan. The plan should lay out the themes that define the core narratives in Franklin’s cultural, historical, and environmental heritage. It should use a variety of tools—through public art, signage, museums, trails, tours, programs, and events—to bring sites and history to life. A consultant is recommended for this initiative along with a committee of subject matter experts— including historians, archaeologists, curators, educators, and tourism and interpretive specialists. Develop a comprehensive branding strategy for the Franklin Battlefield. A unified branding strategy for the Franklin Battlefield would create a clear, consistent identity across all Civil War sites, helping visitors recognize and navigate the broader battlefield landscape—even in developed areas. Coordinated signage, wayfinding, and graphic standards would strengthen public awareness, reinforce Franklin’s long term commitment to preservation, and support tourism partners, educators, and preservation organizations in telling a more connected and compelling story of the Battle of Franklin. Expand Civil War narratives and interpretation. Civil War interpretation should continue to be expanded that conveys experiences of civilians and families whose lives were shaped by the war and its aftermath. By continuing to elevate the stories of enslaved people, United States Colored Troops, women, and African American communities, Franklin can offer a fuller picture of home front life and broaden the relevance and impact of its Civil War storytelling. Expand African American interpretation of the periods of Reconstruction through the Civil Rights Movement. Interpretation should continue to be expanded that documents the African American experience in Franklin before, during, and after the Civil War. This will ensure that African American stories fully represented within a more complete history. Strengthening these narratives will help residents and visitors understand how African American families shaped Franklin’s social, cultural, and economic development across generations. Elevate additional narratives to include broader historical events and underrepresented stories. Alongside Civil War interpretation, Franklin has an opportunity to elevate additional narratives, including Pre-Historic and Early Settlement by Native Americans, African American, Hispanic, women’s histories, and other significant periods such as the Eastern Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. THEME: PRESERVING STORIES IN FRANKLIN 138 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
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