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Franklin Civil War Round Table

About twenty years ago Greg Wade, a long-time advocate for preservation and battlefield reclamation, took it upon himself to create the Franklin Civil War Roundtable (FWCRT).  Over time, Greg's vision turned into one of the most successful Roundtable groups in the country.  A wide range of speakers covered an even wider range of topics over the two decades.  In 2024, Greg and BoFT CEO Eric A. Jacobson began discussing the future of the Roundtable and it seemed like a logical fit to have the Trust take over the mechanics of the Roundtable.

That brings us to now and a new era for the FWCRT.

Franklin Civil War Round Table
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Civil War Round Table changes hands, will keep ...

There has been a changing of the guard when it comes to a certain monthly event that was launched nearly 20 years ago.

Beginning in 2007 and on the second Sunday of every month, historian Greg Wade arranged for a most appropriate speaker series known as the Franklin Civil War Round Table. He would book speakers from near and far to come to Franklin and discuss topics that were as varied as all the chapters of the Civil War saga and then some. 

It was quite the commitment, and by January this year and after booking a countless number of speakers over the years, Wade decided it was time to hand over the reins. 

Civil War Round Table changes hands, will keep same focus as founder intended
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American Battlefield Trust Preserves Two ...

A crucial one and a half acres across two properties on the Franklin Battlefield have been saved forever. In recent years, Franklin has evolved to be a major suburb of Nashville, driving up prices and making each acre saved even more precious.

American Battlefield Trust Preserves Two Properties on the Franklin Battlefield
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Franklin’s Charge acquires Civil War ...

On June 30, Franklin’s Charge Inc., in collaboration with Battle of Franklin Trust, purchased a two-acre portion of the 1864 Battle of Franklin battlefield. The two acres, located on Highway 96 West, is now intended to become a battlefield park area. 

The property was sold to Franklin’s Charge and Battle of Franklin Trust from the Tywater family, who descends from Earl Tywater, a Franklin businessman who was prominent in the community in the 1960s. The family, upon settling the estate, chose to sell a portion of the property, according to Julian L. Bibb III, a member of the advisory board for Franklin’s Charge.

Franklin’s Charge acquires Civil War Battlefield property on Highway 96

Franklin Civil War Round Table

Franklin Civil War Round Table

About twenty years ago Greg Wade, a long-time advocate for preservation and battlefield reclamation, took it upon himself to create the Franklin Civil War Roundtable (FWCRT).  Over time, Greg's vision turned into one of the most successful Roundtable groups in the country.  A wide range of speakers covered an even wider range of topics over the two decades.  In 2024, Greg and BoFT CEO Eric A. Jacobson began discussing the future of the Roundtable and it seemed like a logical fit to have the Trust take over the mechanics of the Roundtable.

That brings us to now and a new era for the FWCRT.

Civil War Round Table changes hands, will keep same focus as founder intended

Civil War Round Table changes hands, will keep same focus as founder intended

There has been a changing of the guard when it comes to a certain monthly event that was launched nearly 20 years ago.

Beginning in 2007 and on the second Sunday of every month, historian Greg Wade arranged for a most appropriate speaker series known as the Franklin Civil War Round Table. He would book speakers from near and far to come to Franklin and discuss topics that were as varied as all the chapters of the Civil War saga and then some. 

It was quite the commitment, and by January this year and after booking a countless number of speakers over the years, Wade decided it was time to hand over the reins. 

American Battlefield Trust Preserves Two Properties on the Franklin Battlefield

American Battlefield Trust Preserves Two Properties on the Franklin Battlefield

A crucial one and a half acres across two properties on the Franklin Battlefield have been saved forever. In recent years, Franklin has evolved to be a major suburb of Nashville, driving up prices and making each acre saved even more precious.

Franklin’s Charge acquires Civil War Battlefield property on Highway 96

Franklin’s Charge acquires Civil War Battlefield property on Highway 96

On June 30, Franklin’s Charge Inc., in collaboration with Battle of Franklin Trust, purchased a two-acre portion of the 1864 Battle of Franklin battlefield. The two acres, located on Highway 96 West, is now intended to become a battlefield park area. 

The property was sold to Franklin’s Charge and Battle of Franklin Trust from the Tywater family, who descends from Earl Tywater, a Franklin businessman who was prominent in the community in the 1960s. The family, upon settling the estate, chose to sell a portion of the property, according to Julian L. Bibb III, a member of the advisory board for Franklin’s Charge.

Purchase of Sedberry Building by Franklin’s Charge will enhance Carter Hill Battlefield Park

Courtesy of The Williamson Herald

Franklin’s Charge Inc., a local nonprofit devoted to the preservation of Franklin’s Civil War battlefield, completed a busy two-year period when it purchased on Friday, Nov. 22, the former site of the Sedberry Building at 1200 Columbia Ave. 

The Sedberry Building is located near the Carter House State Historic Site and on core battlefield property. According to Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust, it was the location of some of the most ferocious fighting during the Nov. 30, 1864, Battle of Franklin.

Franklin’s Charge intends to demolish the Sedberry Building and return the property to its 1864 condition. Thereafter, the property will be transferred to the city of Franklin for incorporation into the Carter Hill Battlefield Park.

Over the past two years, Franklins’ Charge acquired two other properties of significant importance. In November 2021, Franklin’s Charge acquired two office building sites at 1224 Columbia Ave.  After the buildings on those sites are removed, the acreage will be transferred to the city of Franklin and incorporated into the Carter Hill Battlefield Park. 

This past summer, Franklin’s Charge acquired approximately 13 acres located adjacent to Roper’s Knob. This property will be donated by Franklin’s Charge to the city of Franklin. It will expand the overall protected property at Roper’s Knob, the site of a federal earthworks fort and signal station. The acreage purchased this summer will also be developed in the future into public access, parking, and trails to allow visitors to enjoy the fort and spacious views from atop Roper’s Knob.

Jim Lighthizer, former president of the American Battlefield Trust, has called Franklin’s battlefield reclamation efforts “a miracle” and among the most important and successful efforts in the country.

Clay Perry, president of Franklin’s Charge Inc., credits a team of volunteers and preservation partners for making this effort successful. In particular, Perry noted the support of the Washington, D.C.-based American Battlefield Trust, the Tennessee Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the Tennessee Wars Commission.

Notable partners also include the city of Franklin, The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, the Battle of Franklin Trust, Save the Franklin Battlefield Inc., Friends of Franklin Parks, the City of Franklin Parks Department, and a legion of never-failing generous donors who support battlefield preservation in Franklin.

Former American Battlefield Trust leader honored

Former American Battlefield Trust leader honored

Civil War battlefield preservation advocacy group, Franklin’s Charge, recently honored James Lighthizer, former president of the American Battlefield Trust (ABT), with an appreciation dinner at historic Leiper’s Fork outside Franklin, Tenn. Lighthizer led the ABT, formerly known as the Civil War Preservation Trust, from 1999 until he stepped down in 2020. He still serves on the organization’s board.

Carter Hill Battlefield Park adds a fourth cannon to site of battle

By John McBryde

Originally published on williamsonherald.com on December 1, 2017.

“A replica 12-pounder Napoleon cannon made the trip from Woodstock, Ga., — where it was constructed by Historical Ordnance Works — and was added to the park off Columbia Pike in Franklin to join the three 3-inch Ordnance rifles that were just dedicated last month.”