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McLemore House
The
McLemore House Museum
A
project of the African-American Heritage Society
The
African-American Heritage Society is a non-profit
organization whose purpose is to collect, preserve,
and interpret artifacts pertaining to Williamson
County African American culture and increase understanding
and appreciation of our heritage for future generations.Established
1998.
The Harvey McLemore House is located at the corner
of Eleventh Avenue North and Glass Street in the
subdivision of Hard Bargain in Franklin. Ex-slave
Harvey McLemore purchased four lots in Hard Bargain
in 1880. He built one of the first residential dwelling
in the subdivision. The home served as a model of
community development in Hard Bargain, the first
subdivision of its kind in Franklin--a black middle
class neighborhood of teachers, carpenters, masons
and farmers.
During an age where very few homes purchased by former
slaves remain in existence, it is quite remarkable
that the McLemore House is still standing. Also remarkable
is the fact that from 1880 until 1997, a member of
the McLemore family maintained ownership of the homestead.
After surviving 117 years and at least seven generations
of the McLemore family, the house was sold in 1997.
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The
house was purchased through the joint efforts of the Williamson
County Habitat for Humanity and the Heritage Foundation of
Franklin and Williamson County. The one remaining parcel of
the original four lots was divided into two lots, and the newly
formed African American Heritage Society, with assistance of
the Heritage Foundation, purchased the lot on which which the
dwelling sits.
The African-American Heritage Society views their commitment
to the museum as a way to promote cultural and historical
preservation, encourage tourism, create family legacies,
and educate the public about the rich black heritage of
Franklin and Williamson County. The successful completion of
the McLemore
House Museum will be an outstanding achievement, locally,
statewide and nationally.
| A Black Tie Affair February 2, 2007
This annual event is the African American Heritage Society's
primary fundraiser and office kick-off for black history
month. Each year at the event, local people or businesses
are recognized for their contributions to the community.
This year's event will honor the Fitzgerald Family, as
pioneers in Williamson County and historic African American
businesses. Call Darlene Morton at 790-8418 for reservations.
Tickets are $50 per person, $1,500 for table sponsors
and $1,500 for corporate sponsors.
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Party
goers on the dance floor at 2004's party at the Embassy
Suites, Cool Springs.
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Soul Food, A Story to Tell
A project of the African American Heritage Society,
the cookbook records recipes and memories from many local
African American cooks. $10, available by calling 615-794-2270.
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Tours of the McLemore House
Guided house tours are available by reservation. $5 per person.
Call 615-794-2270 to reserve your tour.
Would you like to get involved in the McLemore House Museum
or the AAHS?
Call Mary Mills at 794-2270 or Tom Murdic at 794-6029 for more information.
Click
here for historic photos.
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