AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TOURISM Increasing interest in African American history and associated places, both by Black and white travelers, has brought greater attention to saving and interpreting historic resources and cultural traditions, including cuisine, literature, performing and visual arts, as well as the history of enslavement, segregation, and civil rights. There are many sites and stories in Franklin of interest to visitors interested in African American history. Examples include the African American Heritage Society and its preservation of the McLemore House, its Porch Talks, and the interpretation of the Merrill Williams House; preservation of the Green Book House; the inclusion of stories of the enslaved at Carter House, Carnton, and Rippa Villa; tours of Toussaint L’Ouverture Cemetery; the addition of historic markers depicting five post-Reconstruction era lynchings; and a Monument to the Enslaved at Carnton, incorporating it into the site’s interpretation. In addition, as part of a commitment to tell the story of Franklin’s African American history, a coalition of pastors, community leaders and residents worked together to raise funds to place a series of historic markers and a statue around the Public Square. The statue honors the U.S. Colored Troops. Two of the historic markers tell the story of the Battle of Franklin; another marker tells the story of the market house that stood on the square where enslaved African Americans were bought and sold for many years. Three additional markers tell of Reconstruction following the Civil War, a riot that occurred in 1867, and the local African Americans who enlisted in the U.S. Colored Troops at the courthouse. The statue, named March to Freedom, is the first in the nation located on a public square.54 54 “The Fuller Story and the March to Freedom Statue,” https:// visitfranklin.com/history/the-fuller-story-project/ Historic Parks BICENTENNIAL PARK: THE GEORGIA BOOT FACTORY Previously constructed for use by the Cumberland Shoe Plant in 1958, and later the Georgia Boot Company purchased the property in 1976. Due to the proximity to the Harpeth River, flooding became an issue for the property. The City announced plans for a park in 1999 to celebrate 200 years since Franklin’s establishment. In 2007, the City created a Parks master plan to use the property as a park, reutilizing the pavilion, dust collector, and other features on the site. The pavilion was completed in 2025. HARLINSDALE FARM PARK Known as the most significant Tennessee Walking Horse farm in Williamson County, and possibly the state, William Wirt Harlin Sr. (1886–1986) established the Harlinsdale Farm (NRHP 2006) in 1933. The farm is best known as the home of Midnight Sun, the first repeat World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse. The historic farm and horse breeding facility remained in the family until 2004, when the Harlin family sold it to the City for $8 million for use as a public park and equestrian center. The 200-acre park opened in 2007 for passive activities like walking, horseback riding, and picnicking (Figure 7). The park is also home to a dog park, fishing pond, and the annual Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival as well as horse shows at the Tractor Supply Arena. Dedicated to preserving the history of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, the property retains some 20 historic buildings and several historic structures as well as archaeological sites. 92 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY1Mzc2