This morning, two big donations were made towards the Old, Old Jail project–a project which would preserve the building, as well as, transform it into the headquarters for the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson Co and a hub of historic preservation, including a green space and eventual bicentennial park. Check out our video tour of the Old, Old Jail HERE.
Calvin & Marilyn Lehew announced a $1 million donation and the Heritage Foundation pledged $100,000 over the next five years to fund a glass-enclosed addition on the second floor.
These announcements were made at the Franklin Theatre as part of Heritage Day for Youth Leadership Franklin. The twenty high school sophomores and juniors participating in the leadership development program received a close-up look at the inner workings of historic preservation.
“The Old, Old Jail project is one that Marilyn and I support because it both preserves a historic building that deserves a second chance and provides the Heritage Foundation with a great headquarters space,” said Lehew. “It is located in the corner of town that I would be interested in developing if I were still in the business. This is the next place in Franklin for redevelopment and the restoration of that building will be a welcome addition to that part of downtown.”
The Lehew’s have always been able to see the value of preserving and renovating buildings in Williamson County. In 1973, they developed Carter’s Court on Columbia Pike, a shopping center across the street from the Carter House. This project put Franklin on the tourism map and became the seventh most-visited attraction in Tennessee. They purchased seven buildings on Main Street in historic Franklin, revitalizing downtown and played a huge role in gaining support and funding in the 1980s and 90s for the Streetscape project in Franklin, which resulted in a Great American Main Street Award in 1995.
Many also associate Calvin Lehew with The Factory. Over a period of years, he transformed the 1929 buildings that once housed Dortch Stove Works, Magic Chef and the Jamison Bedding Company into the multifaceted Factory, a shopping, entertainment, artistic and event complex. He sold The Factory in 2012 when he retired.
“As the next generation of the Heritage Foundation we’re honored to have the opportunity to leave a legacy and support a project that will benefit future generations of residents of Williamson County,” said Sean Carroll, president of the Next Gen. “Our last project, funding the marquee at the restored Franklin Theatre, was a five year project that we were able to pay off in four years. Given the passion and dedication of our volunteers and members we’re confident that we’ll be able to pay off this pledge in less than five years, too. It’s a privilege to be able to play such an important role in preserving the history of this amazing community.”
The Old, Old Jail, located at 112 Bridge Street in downtown Franklin, served as Williamson County’s third jail, from 1941 to 1973. Abandoned in 2003, the building was purchased from the City of Franklin in 2013, when plans began to restore the building into a center for historic preservation in Williamson County. Rock City Construction is the general contractor for the project, and Street Dixon Rick Architecture, PLC, is the architect.
For more information about the Heritage Foundation and its initiative, visit www.historicfranklin.com.
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