Franklin’s Charge is A Vision and Campaign for the Preservation of Historic Open Space.

Franklin’s Charge is a 501(c)(3) Tennessee nonprofit corporation organized in 2005 dedicated to preserving America’s threatened Civil War battlefields in Williamson County, Tennessee. In addition, Franklin’s Charge has actively worked to educate the public about the 1864 Schofield- Hood campaigns, the 1864 Battle of Franklin, the 1863 Battle of Thompson’s Station, the Union earthworks in Triune, and other Civil War events in Middle Tennessee. Further, Franklin’s Charge has been an active participant in heritage tourism, American Civil War history programs, and preservation efforts.

Franklin’s Charge brought together all preservation groups operating in Williamson County. Its membership consists of representatives of the African-American Heritage Society, The Battle of Franklin Trust, the Civil War Preservation Trust, the Franklin-Williamson County Chamber of Commerce, the Harpeth River Watershed Association, the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, the Land Trust for Tennessee, Inc., Save the Franklin Battlefield Association, the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association, the Tennessee National Civil War Heritage Area, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, and the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. 


Director Emeritus

  • Julian Bibb III, director emeritus

  • Paul Gaddis, director emeritus

  • Carroll Van West, director emeritus

Advisory Committee

  • Winder Heller

  • Laura Holder

  • Liz McLaurin

  • Joe Smyth

Board of Directors

  • Clay Perry, president

  • Lamont Turner, vice president

  • Tom Powell, treasurer

  • Colbi Layne Hogan, secretary


  • Ernie Bacon

  • Patrick Baggett

  • Angela Calhoun

  • Nancy Conway

  • Nelson Eddy

  • Kay Heller

  • Sam Huffman

  • Tony McAlister

  • Mary Pearce

  • Bob Ravener

  • Jack Richards

  • Justin Stelter

  • Greg Wade

  • Sam Whitson