History

On November 30, 1864, the bloody Battle of Franklin left more than 10,000 American soldier casualties and changed the town forever. The effects

of the battle can still be seen

throughout Franklin, and each year thousands of visitors come to learn more about the fateful

day that marked a devastating loss for the Confederate Army and helped determine the course of the Civil War.

Tours at Franklin’s historic homes, including Carnton, Carter House, and Lotz House, plus Rippa Villa in Spring Hill, tell the story of the battle from the perspective of the people who lived here, lost loved ones, and tended to wounded soldiers after the battle was over. Markers at Franklin’s

local parks tell of the events that happened on that spot 150 years ago, and walking tours take a deep dive into the battle’s impact on the city and its residents.

But there’s much more to Franklin’s history than the Civil War, and until recently, it was a story that seldom was told. The history of Franklin’s African American residents

includes enslavement, brutality, lynching, and, ultimately, survival against the odds. Local residents now are working with city leaders to make sure that part of Franklin’s history is told as well. The project has become known as “The Fuller Story.”

VISIT LOCAL LANDMARKS

Learn about Franklin’s remarkable history on a walking tour from Franklin on Foot or Franklin Walking Tours. Both companies offer a variety of guided experiences to suit every taste and age group.

Explore the outdoor Battle of Franklin sites. Stop by Winstead Hill Park to see the vantage point used by General John Bell Hood, enjoy scenic views of the Harpeth River at Fort Granger, or take a walk at Eastern Flank Battlefield Park and read the trail’s commemorative

markers.

Visit historic homes and see the Battles Franklin and

Spring Hill through the eyes of the people who lived there. Carnton, Carter House, Lotz House, and Rippa Villa all are open daily for tours.

Take a self-guided walking tour with our free Historic Homes of Hincheyville Digital Passport. Explore one of Franklin’s oldest neighborhoods as you stroll past incredible historic homes and learn their fascinating stories. When you’re finished, stop by the Visitor Center in downtown Franklin for a prize!

EXPERIENCE THE FULLER STORY

Read the historic markers placed throughout Franklin’s public square to learn more about the local division of the U.S. Colored Troops, the slave auctions at the market house that once stood in the square, the riot of 1867, and more.

Visit Franklin’s new March to Freedom statue in the square, which was sculpted by Tennessee-born artist Joe Frank Howard and has received national attention and acclaim.

Tour the McLemore House in Franklin’s historic Hard

Bargain neighborhood. Originally owned by enslaved person Harvey McLemore, the site tells the story of the resilience and resolve of Franklin’s freed citizens after the

Civil War ended. March to Freedom Statue