Franklin named one of ‘Dozen Distinctive Destinations’ by National Trust for Historic Preservation
By Mindy Tate. Williamson Herald Editor
mtate@williamsonherald.com
In the last month, Franklin has been lauded as one of Southern Living readers’ top five small Southern towns and on Tuesday, it was announced the National Trust for Historic Preservation had named the city one of its 2009 “Dozen Distinctive Destinations.”
Since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has annually selected communities across the United States that offer cultural and recreational experiences different from the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and commitment to historic preservation, the selected destinations boast a richness of character and exude an authentic sense of place.
City of Franklin Mayor John Schroer, accompanied by state of Tennessee Commissioner of Tourism Susan Whitaker, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, and CVB Executive Director Mark Shore, received a series of plaques from Nancy Tinker, senior program officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Dr. Carroll Van West, advisor to the state of Tennessee, National Trust for Historic Preservation, naming Franklin as one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations of 2009 in a 10 a.m. ceremony at The Factory at Franklin.
“You should really be fired up about this designation,” West told those attending Tuesday’s reception. “It puts you on that national map with everybody’s attention about important places in the United States.”
The designation recognizes Franklin for offering cultural and recreational experiences different from the typical vacation destination. Franklin features dynamic neighborhoods, a rich architectural heritage, cultural diversity and a strong commitment to historic preservation and revitalization – all of which yield an abundance of character and an authentic sense of place.
“This is not an award for one group or one person. It goes out to the entire community and the efforts are done both public and private,” said Schroer. “There is so much synergism that can be created with all of these assets we have and we as a group we have to make sure we market Williamson County/Franklin as a whole to people.”
In presenting the award, Tinker read a letter from Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which will bring its annual conference to Nashville and Middle Tennessee Oct. 13-17 of this year.
“Franklin has fostered a strong preservation ethic that has helped retain its distinctive sense of place and protect the region's architecture, village communities and traditional farmsteads,” said Moe. “Its rural atmosphere and southern charm make it a vacation destination not to be missed.”
Other destinations on the list included: Athens, Ga., Bristol, R.I., Buffalo, N.Y., Fort Worth, Texas, Hot Springs, S.D., Lake Geneva, Wisc., Lititz, Pa., Santa Barbara, Calif., Santa Fe, N.M., Saugatuck-Douglas, Mich., and Virginia City, Nevada.
Mark Shore, on the job for just a year as the director of the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the award is the result of “years and years of work by a lot of folks in this community.”
“Historic downtown is a strong driver for this award, but it is not singularly the reason for the award,” Shore said. “We have a lot of things in the community to be proud of.”
State Tourism Commission Susan Whitaker said Franklin’s designation as a “Distinctive Destination” just adds to the lists of first the community and county have achieved in the tourism industry.
“Congratulations to all of you, but why am I not surprised,” Whitaker said. “You have been first in doing so many important things in terms of tourism in this state. Anytime there is something out there that is going to give this community an edge, to be able to not only take the assets you have and put them out there…you keep raising the bar.
“These things just don’t happen,” she said. “They take concentrated, concerted efforts, getting every part of the community to understand what it is about preservation and tourism that can come together and cause economic development. It does not become economic development until it is creating jobs and is creating income for that community that can then feed other things they need like education, roads and all the other things.”
The WCCVB applied for the award in conjunction with other organizations in August and found out in November that Franklin had been selected.
“It is about time,” said Mary Pearce, Heritage Foundation executive director. “This application had been turned in for three years. I am completely prejudiced, shamelessly prejudiced, but I do think Franklin is one of the great places to visit in America and I am delighted we made it.”
To read the description of Franklin and the other 11 “Distinctive Destinations,” go to http://www.preservationnation.org and follow the links.
Posted on: 1/15/2009
|
