About Us...

Franklin on Foot was founded in 2003 by Margie Gould Thessin and Rene Alexenko Evans, both of whom began giving walking tours of downtown Franklin to elementary school students as volunteers for the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County in the mid-1990s.  After several years of being asked to conduct tours for visiting friends and relatives of parents who came along on the field trips as chaperones, the idea for Franklin on Foot was born.  

     Above, Guess what? That's not us.

We talk about ourselves (for a change):

Margie Thessin, a native of Vero Beach, Florida, earned a B.A. in history from the University of Florida. Upon graduating, she was dismayed to discover no demand for her particular skill set. Thereupon, she decided to go to law school (That's where she learned to use words like "thereupon"). After graduating, she practiced law for seven years in  West Virginia. In 1988, Margie and her husband moved to Franklin, After sticking around the house for a bunch of years with the kiddos, Margie became the Heritage Classroom teacher before Rene took over, and later spent three years as director of group tours, special events and weddings at Historic Carnton Plantation. 

Rene Evans had a career in public relations before she moved to Franklin, fell in love with its history and became a professional pedestrian. She also serves as the Heritage Foundation's classroom teacher which gives her the opportunity to present Williamson County history to thousands of school children every year and proudly wear her growing hoop skirt collection. She holds a B.A. in public relations.   At right, Rene, left, and Margie, right, in front of our sandwich board sign in front of the old Williamson County Courthouse. Usually we post upcoming tours; check it out when you're downtown!

Michelle Place, looking spooky at left here, is our new tour guide. Michelle was born in a 200-year-old cottage in Scotland and blames that for her fascination with the Celts and the art of storytelling. She holds a B.S. in English Literature and has had five historical novels published.  She is also a part-time tour guide at Historic Carnton Plantation.

Media Appearances:

We have been featured on numerous television shows, including Southern Haunts (seen by over 1.4 million PBS viewers), Tennessee Crossroads, Turner South Blue Ribbon, Best Haunted House, Talk of the Town, Channel 50, Sonic Hometown Tour (WAKM)  and many others. We have appeared in the Tennessean, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Williamson A.M., the Williamson Herald, The Review Appeal, OnePaper, Franklin Life, The Nashville City Paper, and a bunch of websites, such as the one below, found here.  Right, Margie and René display their Sizzle Award from Southern Exposure Magazine in the field trip category.

"For the best possible tour of the town, call up Franklin on Foot and take the Classic Franklin Tour. This 90-minute stroll touches on architecture, Civil War tales, and other history. Franklin on Foot is one of the few walking tour places that offers excursions for children. I Spy Downtown Franklin is aimed at kids 5-12, lasts about one hour, and involves a hands-on approach that combines fun and learning. Kids are not recommended for the Ghosts and Gore Tour, which features the best of downtown Franklin's ghost stories and explores some of the crime from Franklin's past--from rape, murder and prostitution to abortion, bootlegging and murder for hire. Tours usually depart from Landmark Booksellers, 114 E. Main St." pictured at right.

Here's an interesting website, where we are listed as the best haunted tour in the Nashville/Franklin area.

Click here for quotes from some of the newspaper articles we've appeared in.

Franklin on Foot offers more than walking tours.  We also provide step-on guides for tour buses and local history programs for community, business and civic groups.  If you need a tour guide or someone to speak about local history, give us a call at 615-400-3808. For information only, email franklinonfoot@comcast.net.