In honor of the anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, the Lotz House will be hosting an illumination ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 — the exact time that the battle started 161 years ago.
The 1884 Civil War Battle of Franklin was a substantial loss for Confederate troops and preceded the Battle of Nashville.
The Lotz House at 1111 Columbia Ave. in Franklin hosts a Civil War museum, appraisal services and historic tours. It was built in 1858 and suffered damage from cannonball fire during the Battle of Franklin.
In addition, the site is holding a special Women’s History tour on Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in honor of the birthday of Matilda Lotz, who lived in the home as a child. The site also offers ghost tours.
History and Culture Center Opens Hicks Exhibit
A new exhibit at the Moore-Morris History and Culture Center of Williamson County — Robert Hicks: Author, Collector, Preservationist — is set to open on Friday. The exhibit includes photos, manuscripts and objects from his own collections and personal archives.
Hicks, who died in 2022, was the author of The Widow of the South, and worked on historic preservation efforts in Franklin, including preserving the Battle of Franklin battlefield. He was also a collector of Southern art.
“Robert Hicks was a fascinating man who made immeasurable impact on our community through his work in historic preservation,” said Bari Beasley, president and CEO of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County. “His life’s work is befitting of heartfelt attention within the History and Culture Center of Williamson County, and we’re so proud to help tell his story and continue his legacy with this one-of-a-kind exhibit.”
Part of the Heritage Foundation, the center also has exhibits honoring the first railroad and industrialization of Williamson County, the townscapes following World War II and a historically accurate tavern with holograms.
Entrance to the exhibit is included with History and Culture Center admission, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WCS to Offer Machinery, Aviation Programs
Williamson County Schools has been steadily announcing the focus areas for its upcoming Innovation Center, set to open in August 2026. The latest is its advanced power and machinery pathway.
The pathway will focus on the operation, maintenance and repair of heavy equipment and diesel-powered systems. It is in partnership with Thompson Machinery, the regional dealer for Caterpillar (CAT) equipment, and will offer shadowing opportunities and connections to job opportunities and apprenticeships following graduation.
Williamson County Schools already announced aviation and firefighting would be available pathways.
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