Courtesy of Williamson Herald
By John McBryde
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.
“I got more out of it than I put in,” Wade said as he reflected on the project that started as a small book club held at Landmark Book Sellers. “I met a lot of great people and made a lot of good friends. But it was a lot of work.”
That work has now been turned over to the Battle of Franklin Trust and specifically one of its tour guides on staff.
“I’ve known Greg for years,” said Jeff Williams, explaining how he and the BoFT were ideal partners to handle the logistics of hosting the speaker series going forward. “It’s his baby, so he wanted to be sure that whoever took it over would help it to continue to grow.
“I’m also very passionate about Civil War history, just like guests at the Round Table are. I feel very appreciative that Greg had that vote of confidence in me.”
Wade, now retired from a career in risk management, grew up in Chattanooga and later attended Middle Tennessee State University. He moved to Franklin in 1980, and it wasn’t long after that when he became passionate about Civil War history and specifically the Battle of Franklin.
“I went on a run one day toward Carnton, and I saw that it had hay bales in it and farm implements,” Wade said. “I thought, it’s a really nice house, but it’s being used as a barn? It’s come a long way.”
While most of the speakers were authors, historians and others focused on the Civil War, some of the presentations were on World War I and World War II history, and others looked at noted Tennesseans such as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.
Vince Dooley, former football coach at the University of Georgia, even spoke one time as one whose ancestors fought in the Civil War. In addition, some of the Round Table events included tours of places like Parkers Crossroads, Triune earthworks, Johnsonville, Chattanooga, Mill Springs, Nashville retreat and Columbia/Spring Hill, among others.
As he looks back on his 18-year run as coordinator for the Round Table, Wade can now catch his breath and recognize the importance of his project and how it benefitted the community. He also knew it wasn’t a one-man show.
“Even though I worked a lot, I couldn’t do it without help,” said Wade, whose wife, Beth, was a vital source of support and help. “Over the 18 years, we had a pretty good [group of supporters and volunteers], which I’m proud of. We were very diverse.
“We had a good run, and I think it will do well” in the leadership of Williams and the BoFT.
The next Franklin Civil War Round Table will be held Sunday, April 13, at Carnton’s Fleming Center. Visit https://boft.org/fcwrt for more information.