Battle of Franklin Trust to Unveil New Markers Recognizing the African-American Experience

 

The Battle of Franklin Trust, along with the City of Franklin, is scheduled to host an event to unveil historic markers to commemorate local African Americans’ experiences before, during, and after the Civil War.

The event is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. October 17 at the Public Square in downtown Franklin, according to a press release.

Three pastors — Hewitt Sawyers, Dr. Chris Williamson, and Kevin Riggs — conceived this initiative, along with historian and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric Jacobson, according to a press release.

“I am so proud to be part of this effort.  The stories told by these interpretive markers have always been part of our shared history, and it is time we are honest with the past,” Jacobson said. “The Fuller Story is, in many ways, the story of America.  I applaud the pastors for their leadership and our friends all over Franklin for their support and steadfast commitment.”

A bronze statue of a U.S. Colored Soldier will get placed on the square near the historic Williamson County Courthouse, the press release went on to say.

“From the beginning, our purpose behind the ‘Fuller Story’ was to unite—not divide. We wanted to put something up instead of tearing something down. The unveiling of these markers is a huge step in that direction,” the press release quoted Dr. Kevin Riggs, pastor of Franklin Community Church, as saying.

Yes, Every Kid

“My prayer is that October 17 (will) be a day of unity, love and celebration,” he added.

The Battle of Franklin Trust is a 501(c)3 management corporation acting on behalf of Franklin’s battlefield sites to contribute to a greater understanding and enrich the visitor experience of the November 30, 1864 battle.

The trust is organized for the charitable and educational purposes of preserving, restoring, maintaining and interpreting the properties, artifacts and documents related to the battle to preserve an important part of the nation’s history.

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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Franklin Public Square” by Downtown Franklin.

 

 

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One Thought to “Battle of Franklin Trust to Unveil New Markers Recognizing the African-American Experience”

  1. Unreconstructed Southerner

    Their purpose is to contextualize, in other words, continue to perpetuate the lies, that the South fought to keep blacks enslaved. Unite? I think not. Their goal is to eradicate our symbols, monuments, and heritage. They are all hard core Marxists.

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