Heritage Foundation Announces Ball Chairs for 2017

The Heritage Foundation announced its ball chairs for the 44th Annual Heritage Ball. Nancy Smith and Greg Flittner will lead Williamson County’s longest- running black tie affair. The gala will be held at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park on Sept 16, 2017. The event takes place each year to raise funds for the work of the Heritage Foundation, the preservation society of Franklin and Williamson County. This year the Foundation will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. Marty and Ronald Ligon, longtime residents and preservation enthusiast are serving as honorary ball chairs.

Marty & Ronald Ligon

Mrs. Smith and Mr. Flittner moved to Williamson County in 1995 and quickly became dedicated volunteers. Mrs. Smith serves on the board of the Heritage Foundation and in 2015-2016, was heavily involved in coordinating the Foundation’s move into the recently renovated Big House for Historic Preservation (previously the Old, Old Jail). Mr. Flittner, is past President of the Downtown Neighborhood Association which shares the vision of the Heritage Foundation.

“Having lived in other cities, embracing preservation was not a passion that we thought existed within us. We were only able to have a better understanding that preservation does matter after becoming residents of Downtown Franklin. Seeing the tremendous efforts of the members of the Heritage Foundation, its board, and staff is truly inspiring and has awakened our own sense of preserving the past. We learn something new every day about this storied town and its wonderful people. Moving to Franklin has been the best decision we have made as a family. After many corporate moves, we have a true sense of an emotional connection here,” says Nancy Smith.

Mary Pearce, outgoing Executive Director of the Heritage Foundation says that Nancy and Greg are extraordinary volunteers and she is delighted to have them chairing the Heritage Ball. “We know they will do an incredible job just like they did for the Heritage Ball auction, bringing proceeds to new heights. It was our lucky day when Nancy and Greg moved to Franklin and became involved,” said Mrs. Pearce.

With this year’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Heritage Foundation, Marty and Ronald Ligon were the obvious choice for honorary ball chairs. “The Ligons are an essential part of the Heritage Foundation and Franklin story. The couple has led the way in saving Carnton Plantation and Downtown Franklin,” said Mrs. Pearce.

Mrs. Ligon planned the first Heritage Ball 44 years ago and Mr. Ligon was an early member of the Heritage Foundation Board of Directors. The first gala took place under a tent at Carnton, just a few hundred yards from where the ball will be this fall.

In Mr. Ligon’s words, “We the citizens of Franklin are most fortunate that early in the development of small communities in Middle Tennessee the Heritage Foundation came into being. Through its leadership and direction, Franklin, our hometown, is the community that everyone wants to be like. We are so fortunate.”

For additional information please visit www.HistoricFranklin.com