Franklin Property Owners Honored For Preservation Projects

A former glory was in rough shape.

The home of Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin, Perry & Wiley, PC, in downtown Franklin had seen better days. Ivy had overtaken the walls of the building. Shrubbery and brush surrounded the exterior. Wooden accents of the 142-year-old former home were rotted and falling apart.

The owners could have ignored the issue. But the owners who had made the structure the Franklin office’s flagship were committed to restoring it to glory.

Their dedication to preservation was honored, along with the work of other property owners, in May.

“It is truly an honor to invest in the history and future of the Franklin community,” said Kathie Perry of Baldwin, Perry & Wiley, PC. “We are proud to be part of preserving the architectural character that makes Franklin so special, and we encourage continued support for local preservation and revitalization efforts throughout Johnson County.”

The law firm was one of eight property owners and organizations recognized for their efforts to maintain the unique architecture that defines downtown Franklin. This year’s batch of preservation awards, given annually by Franklin Heritage, featured recognition in a variety of categories, including Best New Addition to an Existing Historic Structure, Best New Construction in an Existing Historic Area, and Little Charmer.

In bestowing the awards, Franklin Heritage hopes to show appreciation to people who have made preservation a priority.

“You deserve a pat on the back. You deserve somebody to say, you’re doing a heck of a job, and you’re making Franklin better with all of your projects,” said Rob Shilts, executive director of Franklin Heritage.

Franklin Heritage is a local nonprofit aimed at preserving the city’s historic downtown. The group was established in 1983 by a small group of concerned citizens who felt it was important to preserve the unique character of Franklin — particularly its tree-lined boulevards, brick streets, and historic architecture.

The organization’s motto is “Preserving our past for the future.” Though its most visible project has been restoring and operating the Historic Artcraft Theatre, the group continues to work to preserve Franklin in every way possible by restoring old homes and salvaging those that cannot be repaired.

The preservation award program began in 1999, and since then, Franklin Heritage has awarded 153 awards.

“In a town this size, that’s a pretty good percentage of people being rewarded for working on their properties,” Shilts said.

The winners this year, which were recognized during the May 18 Franklin City Council meeting, each took different approaches to their preservation work.

Franklin Parks and Recreation was highlighted for Best New Construction in an Existing Historic Area — recognizing the construction of the new Active Adult Center on Adams Street. The $5 million project features an auditorium with a raised stage, a large gathering space for luncheons and Bingo, a dedicated game room with a pool table, a kitchen, and office space for Franklin Parks and Recreation employees.

While the former Active Adult Center had to be demolished due to the building’s condition, elements of the historic building were woven into the new structure. Bricks from the old center were incorporated into the new construction.

“That takes some thinking and planning to do that,” Shilts said.

Johnson County Golf Carts, with its facility at 44 N. Jackson St., was recognized for Best Adaptive Reuse of an Existing Historic Structure. The building had been in bad shape, but company leaders restyled it into something fun, with a funky blue exterior and sleek awnings, Shilts said.

Another nearby business, Bud and Bloom Florist, received the award for Best Continued Use of an Existing Historic Structure.

The Criminal Defense Team’s office at 150 N. Main St. was highlighted with the Natural Beauty Award. Owners were adamant about restoring their building, built in 1884, to renew the property’s original character while strengthening the community’s architectural fabric.

The restoration was made possible in part through a 50/50 building grant awarded by the Franklin Development Corporation in 2024.

“What they did with shrubbery and landscaping, replacing windows and doors and restoring them — they have made a really nice mark right in downtown,” Shilts said. “I was really proud of what they did.”

While a number of area businesses were honored for their preservation work, Franklin homeowners were also feted for efforts made on their own homes.

Charles and Kimberly Hessman turned a former printing house on Madison Street into a charming home. They were given the Best Renovation Project of an Existing Historic Structure award.

When Susann Zarrinnegar adapted her historic home on Madison Street, she never thought it would be award-worthy. But the team at Franklin Heritage thought that creating new steps and a ramp at the home added to the structure without detracting from its historic aesthetic. The was given the Best New Addition to an Existing Historic Structure honor.

“What’s been done in a very nice way is not only the stairs but the access on a ramp in the back. But you couldn’t tell it’s there. That’s pretty great,” Shilts said.

One of Shilts’ favorite distinctions is Little Charmer, which recognizes property owners who have taken care to maintain the charming details of their structures. This year’s winner was Brian and Rebecca Carr.

“They haven’t messed with the windows, they haven’t messed with all of these little details, and that it’s essentially what it was back then is important,” Shilts said.

Finally, Franklin Heritage passed out its Preservation Partner Award. The distinction was given to the Franklin Public Arts Advisory Council and Discover Downtown Franklin for their Monumental Memories program.

The two entities unveiled the program earlier this year, with the hope of spotlighting the city center’s rich architectural, social, and business heritage. Display panels — one across from the courthouse square on North Main Street, the other along Water Street — feature historic photos to show what the downtown area used to look like, what has changed and what remains the same.

“When people come in to visit and go to an author visit or whatever, they can look at that same image that goes all the way down Main Street, from Col. Vawter all the way to the blade sign. They get an understanding of what was Franklin’s history and what is now being reworked and revitalized,” Shilts said.

Source: Franklin Property Owners Honored For Preservation Projects