Who We Are

The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving our historic resources in Franklin and Williamson County, Tennessee. Among our programs is the award-winning Main Street Program, the Downtown Franklin Association, which promotes and revitalizes the 150 unique places to explore in the 15-block downtown National Register District.

The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County was founded in 1967 and has a long history of preserving historic resources. The Foundation started with a group of citizens with vision who wanted to protect the historic resources that make Franklin and Williamson County a special place. The efforts of the Foundation have played a major role in keeping Franklin and Williamson County from becoming “Anywhere USA.”

The Heritage Foundation and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association, are nationally recognized as being among the most successful and largest preservation groups in the country.

What We Do

The Heritage Foundation works together with more than 1,000 members to protect and preserve historic resources and continue the revitalization of Historic Downtown Franklin.

Over the years, our accomplishments have included saving historic buildings and landscapes, doing surveys and inventories of our historic resources, nominating properties to the National Register, Streetscape in downtown Franklin, sponsoring a Heritage Classroom program, publishing books, advocating for preservation and sponsoring educational programs.
Public Preservation: Develop public policy initiatives that encourage the protection and preservation of historic sites and landscapes.
Private Preservation: Develop private sector policy initiatives that encourage the protection and preservation of historic sites and landscapes.
Main Street Program: Operate the Downtown Franklin Association under the Main Street guidelines established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Finance: Develop long-range funding plan that will provide financial stability for annual operating and major projects.
Fundraising: Produce special events that promote the mission of the organization and provide funds.
Membership: Attract members who support the goals of the organization.