The African American Heritage Society of Williamson County is pursuing a journey to preserve the historic Merrill-Williams home at 264 Natchez St., Franklin, TN by purchasing the home. The Natchez Street Historic District is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. There are interested parties that want to purchase this significant property and possibly not maintain the home as a historic home. Losing this home to gentrification would be a terrible loss to our community! The Merrill-Williams home is an important fabric of our community's history and is crucial to our organization's mission to collect, preserve and interpret artifacts pertaining to Williamson County African American Culture and increase understanding and appreciation of our heritage for future generations. History Speaks: The Merrill-Williams property speaks to very important truths in the history of Franklin, Tennessee, rising as it did from the very ashes of the Civil War to the transformations of the Civil Rights Movement. It rests on a prominent corner within the National Register-listed Natchez Street Historic District, a street that developed as an African American enclave during the terrible times of Jim Crow America and a place that still serves as a foundation for African American identity and culture for Franklin in the twenty-first century. Its potential to tell stories of trial, triumph, and transformation is unrivalled—not only would its preservation help to elevate a larger public understanding of Black history but it also would serve as a lasting sign of commitment by all to recognize and protect the fuller story of this remarkable town. The End Goal: We endeavor to keep this a historic home with its rich history to be utilized by the community.  It would tell the powerful story of not only the Merrill and Williams families but also serve as a heritage asset and anchor for the entire Natchez Street historic district. In partnership with the African American Heritage Society (AAHS) is the Battle of Franklin Trust (BOFT) and Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Historic Preservation.   AAHS and BOFT already fruitfully and effectively provide preservation, interpretation, and education programming at the McLemore House, the city’s oldest African American museum. We want to have a long-term agreement with the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, a program of the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, to design, install, and fund exhibits, a community resource library, and meeting spaces within the building. This speaks directly to our mission; this is why it is crucial to purchase this historic home and we humbly ask for your help! If we exceed our fundraising goal, the surplus will be put towards much needed renovations. We ask for your financial support today to help us to purchase the Merrill-Williams home. Your generous contributions of any amount will help to preserve this historic treasure. Please note: donations made on GoFundMe will not receive a tax receipt from AAHS, but from PayPal Giving Fund (PPGF). If you would like to donate and would like a tax receipt from AAHS, please feel free to mail in a check and make it payable to:  African American Heritage Society of Williamson County.  On the MEMO line of the check please indicate that your donation is for the “264 Natchez Street” campaign. Mail your donation to; African American Heritage Society of Williamson County P.O. Box 1053, Franklin, TN 37065 We thank you for your time and your financial support!   Blessings, Preservation Partners: Battle of Franklin Trust. <a href="https://boft.org"><a href="https://boft.org" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://boft.org</a></a> Franklin's Charge. <a href="https://franklinscharge.org" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://franklinscharge.org</a> Heritage Foundation. <a href="https://williamsonheritage.org"><a href="https://williamsonheritage.org" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://williamsonheritage.org</a></a> MTSU Center for Historic Preservation. <a href="https://www.mtsuhistpres.org"><a href="https://www.mtsuhistpres.org" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.mtsuhistpres.org</a></a> Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area. <a href="https://tncivilwar.org" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://tncivilwar.org</a> The Land Trust for Tennessee. <a href="https://www.landtrusttn.org"><a href="https://www.landtrusttn.org" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.landtrusttn.org</a></a> African American Heritage Society of Williamson County Officers: Alma McLemore, President Harvey Chrisman, Vice President Paulette Johnson, Treasurer Tina Cahalan Jones, Secretary <a href="https://usctwillcotn.blogspot.com" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://usctwillcotn.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://www.mclemorehouse.com">www.mclemorehouse.com</a>

Peggy Barons

Paige Vinson

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Anonymous

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Green Family

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Historic Merrill-Williams 264 Natchez Street home

Historic Merrill-Williams 264 Natchez Street home

Still $606,987 to go. Help us build momentum.