New Civil War museum inFranklin?

[tellinghistory]

Now that the Franklin Battlefield Trust (FBT) is the governing entity over Carnton and Carter House, the Franklin community should be able to gather some steam in terms of building a new world-class museum (i.e., interpretive center) that would tell the little known story of the Battle of Franklin.

I have been trying to promote the discussion for two years on my blog. I recently closed a poll on the blog but 91% of the respondents said they felt Franklin deserves a world-class Civil War museum.

I'd like to know what other people think about this topic, especially if you're from Middle Tennessee.

Here are some questions to weigh in on:

1. Does Franklin need a world-class Civil War museum?
2. Is the FBT the right entity to lead it?
3. Should it be spear-headed by private individuals?
4. Can the Franklin community raise the estimated $4 million+ it will take?
5. What sites in and around Franklin should be part of the museum story?
6. Can a museum be built by 2014, the 150th for the BoF anniversary?
7. Where should it be located? Initial thought is in the old Franklin High gymnasium beside the Carter House?
8. What constitutes "world-class"?
9. Examples of small world-class museums or interpretive centers you've seen?
10. Creative ideas to raise funds for this museum?

If we carry on a healthy and vibrant discussion here, maybe we can take these ideas to FBT at the proper time to "voice" our opinions.

[Union_Buff]

1. Since you said that the Battle of Franklin was a little known battle, it would make perfect sense to have a museum, so it can be brought out to a wider audience.

2. I think so - they have put their heart and souls into the battlefield restoration project, so I don't see why they can do it again.

3. My opinion? Only if they have a deep-seated passion for the CW; I wouldn't want some big wig who doesn't give a **** to be in charge.

4. I'm sure they can raise some of the money, and I think that a grant would be the next best thing for them to receive, as to provide the rest of the money for the project.

5. The obvious one is the battlefield itself, but it would be nice to see any other locations that are connected to the battle in some way.

6. If they can raise the funds and get it started soon, I think they can do it.

7. I feel that it should be located on or near the battlefield itself (that's just my preference).

8. World class for me is that it has the most up to date technology and it also has something for everyone (i.e. battle dioramas, first-hand account of the Battle of Franklin, etc, etc).

9. I've seen the Australian War Memorial and it's the finest representation of a Commonwealth country's involvement in several major wars (WW1, WW2, Vietnam and the War on Terror).

10. Holding a Living History/Reenactment where the entrance fees paid by the spectators go into the "2014 Franklin Civil War Museum Fund".

[larry_cockerham]

Now that the Franklin Battlefield Trust (FBT) is the governing entity over Carnton and Carter House,

.

I'm under the impression that the Battlefield Trust exists for the purpose of promoting this notion and for raising money. Not exactly what I would call a "governing" entity. The state of Tennessee owns the Carter House while Carnton is private. Please clarify?

[wilber6150]

I, myself, think they would be better off using the funds to buy more of the surrounding real estate. For example, about ten feet from the Carter house is another residential house which really takes away from the feel of the grounds..At minimum, what would a first class museum take to be built maybe 500k or even up to a million..That could certainly buy up some of that neighborhood..

[gary]

World class should meet AAM (American Association of Museums) standards with respects to the director, curators, conservators, registrar, publication (if any) superintendent and the director of security. That costs money as staff must have extensive museum experience or training (college).

[mt155]

Isn't the vacant warehouse behind the Carter House being turned into such a museum?

[larry_cockerham]

Isn't the vacant warehouse behind the Carter House being turned into such a museum?

I believe it was a gym for what that's worth, but a reasonably large building regardless. I believe that is the intent. The site has room for ample parking and good visibility. Turning it into a museum will be an expensive proposition, hence the reason for the formation of the group mentioned earlier in this thread. Perhaps some of the other struggling (financially) collections could be borrowed for this site. Whatever the outcome, this will take a while. Franklin is a relatively small but wealthy community. If the spirit moves them, they are capable. There's also talk of a museum at the SCV headquarters in Columbia. We'll see.

[EricJacobson]

I'm under the impression that the Battlefield Trust exists for the purpose of promoting this notion and for raising money. Not exactly what I would call a "governing" entity. The state of Tennessee owns the Carter House while Carnton is private. Please clarify?

The Trust is now the managing corporation for BOTH sites. There will be one President (decision coming in the next days or weeks), one Director of Operations (that's yours truly), one Historian, and one staff. All monies are shared - both expenses and revenue. Payroll checks for everyone come from the same place!!!

The Carter House is owned by the State, but the site has never been managed by the State. Rather it has always been run by a non-profit association, just like Carnton. The new BOF Trust is also a non-profit association. The State will maintain ownership of the physical Carter House as it will maintain ownership of the 38 acres of land west of Carnton. But it has no management responsibilties.

Hope this helps. Stop by sometime, Larry. I'm spending 50% of my time at each site going forward so you can catch me at one or the other.

Eric

[EricJacobson]

I, myself, think they would be better off using the funds to buy more of the surrounding real estate. For example, about ten feet from the Carter house is another residential house which really takes away from the feel of the grounds..At minimum, what would a first class museum take to be built maybe 500k or even up to a million..That could certainly buy up some of that neighborhood..

Sorry, one million will buy you about ONE acre of ground adjacent to the Carter House. We'll keep buying tracts when we can, but a new visitor center is absolutely critical to keep Franklin's story truly alive for future generations.

[EricJacobson]

I believe it was a gym for what that's worth, but a reasonably large building regardless. I believe that is the intent. The site has room for ample parking and good visibility. Turning it into a museum will be an expensive proposition, hence the reason for the formation of the group mentioned earlier in this thread. Perhaps some of the other struggling (financially) collections could be borrowed for this site. Whatever the outcome, this will take a while. Franklin is a relatively small but wealthy community. If the spirit moves them, they are capable. There's also talk of a museum at the SCV headquarters in Columbia. We'll see.

Renovating the gym into a Battle of Franklin Interpretive Center will cost around $4 million. Our goal is to have it completed by Nov. 30, 2014, the 150th anniversary of the battle.

[TerryB]

As a Nashvillian with an ancestor who was killed there, I'm all for it.

[larry_cockerham]

As a Nashvillian with an ancestor who was killed there, I'm all for it.

As a Nashvllian with two ancestors who walked that ground during the battle of 1864, so am I.

[larry_cockerham]

The Trust is now the managing corporation for BOTH sites. There will be one President (decision coming in the next days or weeks), one Director of Operations (that's yours truly), one Historian, and one staff. All monies are shared - both expenses and revenue. Payroll checks for everyone come from the same place!!!

The Carter House is owned by the State, but the site has never been managed by the State. Rather it has always been run by a non-profit association, just like Carnton. The new BOF Trust is also a non-profit association. The State will maintain ownership of the physical Carter House as it will maintain ownership of the 38 acres of land west of Carnton. But it has no management responsibilties.

Hope this helps. Stop by sometime, Larry. I'm spending 50% of my time at each site going forward so you can catch me at one or the other.

Eric

Eric, thanks very much for clarifying much of this! I will stumble through your door before too long.

[Severon]

I like the thought of a new museum. Always good to see new things.

[Copper, 83rd PA INF]

I like the thought of a new museum. Always good to see new things.

I absolutely agree. There's so much to learn about all aspects of the War Between the States. The more museums we have to teach everyone about it, the better...IMHO.

~Donny

[larry_cockerham]

I absolutely agree. There's so much to learn about all aspects of the War Between the States. The more museums we have to teach everyone about it, the better...IMHO.

~Donny

Good. Now all we need is $4,000,000.00 and something to display.

[Copper, 83rd PA INF]

Only $4,000,000? Will you take a check?

[larry_cockerham]

Only $4,000,000? Will you take a check?

Nope, I've made too much this year already. Social Security is watching. There are folks close-by who could write that check. It ain't me.

[littlesorrel]

The story of the Battle of Franklin has all the elements that require an interpretation that is compelling. That may or may not include a "center." What it must include is the experience. I am the great-great-grandaughter of a C.S.A. soldier from Robertson County, Tennessee who left only the record of his capture at the second battle of the Wilderness. Just the same, his experience must have been the same as so many others. I made a special point of visiting Carnton when I was in Nashville two years ago for a conference. I must admit to being moved to tears. I knew the story...but walking the grounds, and among the fallen...and seeing the stained boards of that quiet, lovely home (I hear the floods got one of the outbuildings??). Certain possiblities enter my mind, among them being the superior interpretation of Dennis Severs's house in London. I won't ever forget it. I walked into the history of 18 Folgate Street in Spitalfields. A time capsule. When I visited, Dennis was still alive, in charge of the experience. http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/ Carnton can be the same: it is more than the story of Carrie McGavock, so all the stories could be recreated, with the aroma of the osage orange infusing the experience. Think about it. Not all venues would work for this type of experience, but Carnton? Absolutely.

[Nathanb1]

I hope there will be one. I hope the gym is suitable, because being a former coach, I hate to see old gyms fall into disrepair--and they're such lovely space! At this point I know I had three relatives there, one killed and two captured and sent to Camp Douglas, so it has been my dream to get there and see everything. I'm lucky. I've read, I know where to go, and I could probably beg and cry until Larry agreed to either show me around or find someone who could. But for Franklin to receive the recognition it deserves, the average person has to see something that will encourage them to stop, and which will provide the interpretation needed to truly appreciate the battle and personalities involved. It's a truly massive undertaking, but I fervently hope it can be accomplished. Now that so many people know about Franklin, due to Widow of the South, it's the right time to try.

[larry_cockerham]

I hope there will be one. I hope the gym is suitable, because being a former coach, I hate to see old gyms fall into disrepair--and they're such lovely space! At this point I know I had three relatives there, one killed and two captured and sent to Camp Douglas, so it has been my dream to get there and see everything. I'm lucky. I've read, I know where to go, and I could probably beg and cry until Larry agreed to either show me around or find someone who could. But for Franklin to receive the recognition it deserves, the average person has to see something that will encourage them to stop, and which will provide the interpretation needed to truly appreciate the battle and personalities involved. It's a truly massive undertaking, but I fervently hope it can be accomplished. Now that so many people know about Franklin, due to Widow of the South, it's the right time to try.

It's ironic that a novel brought such interest in a town that has so much real history, it should be ashamed of not being more knowledgeable about their own hallowed ground. We're working on promoting it, novel and all.

[1SGDan]

For those interested in a brief history of the battle see

Five Tragic Hours - The Battle of Franklin by James Lee McDonough and Thomas L. Connelly

[Nathanb1]

It's ironic that a novel brought such interest in a town that has so much real history, it should be ashamed of not being more knowledgeable about their own hallowed ground. We're working on promoting it, novel and all.

It'll get the folks in who aren't "like us" (if I could play the Twilight Zone theme, I would).

On the "own" theme, we tend to do that with places we live. It's kind of a "I'll get a round tuit" thing. We are one of the fortunate post offices with a mural. My husband even wrote a feature article about it. We've lived here five years, and I finally took the time to look at it yesterday. Me, the history nut. I had to ask him which part of the post office it was in.....so I understand. And finally, most people grow up learning in history about MAYBE Gettysburg, Bull Run, Ft. Sumter and sometimes Vicksburg. Franklin never gets mentioned, except by US....(Twilight Zone theme again)

[larry_cockerham]

It'll get the folks in who aren't "like us" (if I could play the Twilight Zone theme, I would).

On the "own" theme, we tend to do that with places we live. It's kind of a "I'll get a round tuit" thing. We are one of the fortunate post offices with a mural. My husband even wrote a feature article about it. We've lived here five years, and I finally took the time to look at it yesterday. Me, the history nut. I had to ask him which part of the post office it was in.....so I understand. And finally, most people grow up learning in history about MAYBE Gettysburg, Bull Run, Ft. Sumter and sometimes Vicksburg. Franklin never gets mentioned, except by US....(Twilight Zone theme again)

If you think Franklin is a challenge, consider that I live in Nashville. Our occupation by yankees for three years, the remnant of Ft. Negley (which has a beautiful new visitor which our SUVCW camp will use for a meeting tonight), Shy's Hill and the hundreds of acres of battlefield which are now covered by homes and stores rarely receive a mention either. Just like the Pequot War, this one is fading into the sunset, I'm afraid. The vast Union history that is here in Nashville rarely gets much press aside from the U.S.C.T. who are alive and well and serve as an example for the SUVCW and SCV from which we could learn much. Reaching the school kids, just enough to at least give them basic information and better yet, inspire some thought and investigation are our goals. At times it's just as challenging as teaching Pequot history perhaps.

[1SGDan]

Franklin never gets mentioned, except by US

It is understandable why a military disaster of the proportion of Franklin might get overlooked by historians of certain ilks.