Donate to Mark Grave of Franklin's Unknown Soldier

The Franklin Battlefield Preservation Commission is seeking donations of $23 from 100 people each to purchase a historic marker commemorating the spot where Franklin’s unknown soldier was interred in 2009.

The soldier’s remains were uncovered during a construction project on Columbia Avenue just north of Winstead Hill in May of 2009. On October 10, 2009, the remains were reinterred in Rest Haven cemetery after a period funeral at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and procession by horse-drawn caisson through Franklin’s downtown. Nearly 7,000 people stood along the route and observed silence to respect a soldier who died over 140 years ago.

At the cemetery, the burial was accompanied by a 21-gun salute, and then soldier reenactors from the 18 states, north and south, that were represented at the Battle of Franklin, poured dirt from their home state on the coffin.

The burial site has drawn visitors from all over the country who read about the event as a result of national media coverage. The marker will be dedicated November 30, 2010, the 146^th Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin.

To donate $23, click on the button below, or send a check to Margie Thessin, 400 Maplewood Drive, Franklin, TN 37064, payable to the Williamson County Historical Society.

The Franklin Battlefield Preservation Commission (BPC) is composed of 18 citizen appointees who represent local preservation/heritage organizations, education, the re-enactment community, battle-related properties, and the community in general. The BPC serves as an advisory body to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and City Administrator in the identification, preservation, maintenance, and recognition of sites related to Civil War battles, skirmishes, encampments, troop movements, and other war-related sites located within the city limits of Franklin in order to protect and maintain the city’s irreplaceable historical wealth for this and future generations.

The commission:

• Acts as the City’s historic and cultural preservation brain trust, working collectively with the entities represented on this Commission to preserve and enhance all of the city’s historic sites;
• Makes recommendations to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and City Administrator for programs or actions designed to implement the recommendations contained in the Battlefield Preservation Action Plan;
• Provides a descriptive presentation reporting the activities and goals annually to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen;
• Facilitates forums for promoting Franklin’s Civil War heritage and for educating the public about said heritage;
• Assists the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and City Administrator in balancing community priorities and resources by offering advice on preservation issues.

The Franklin BPC meets in regular session on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 AM in City Hall.

Members are:

Michael Skinner City of Franklin Alderman 

Jennifer Esler Battle of Franklin Trust

Ernie Bacon Franklin's Charge

Margie Thessin Franklin on Foot

Mary Pearce Heritage Foundation

J.T. Thompson Lotz House

Sam Huffman Save the Franklin Battlefield

David Eagan Sons of the Confederate Veterans r

Sam Gant Sons of Union Veterans

Pam Lewis Tennessee Preservation Trust

Mark Shore Williamson County CVB

Jim Roberts Battle-related Property Owner

Thomas Flagel Education Liaison

Joe Grosson Re-enactment Community Liaison

Jay Sheridan At-Large

Mike Grainger At-Large

Mike Plumley At-Large

Robin Hood At-Large


Amanda Hall, Staff
Steve Valley, Staff