The 2024 Historic Home Tour Is Almost Here! Are You Ready for It?

The Historic Home Tour is back for the first time since 2018! On Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, 2024, get ready for a peek at a dozen historic and architecturally significant homes in downtown Franklin.
 
Franklin Heritage Inc., has presented the home tour nearly every two years since the mid-1980s, with the last tour being in 2018. With most homes within walking distance of The Historic Artcraft Theatre, take advantage of this opportunity to take a weekend stroll through town and visit these gorgeous properties.
 
Tickets purchased here can be used for Saturday and Sunday and cost $20. FHI members get a discount; their tickets are only $15.
While we wait for the tour dates to arrive, here is a preview of each stop.
 
100 N. Water St.
Home to Don and Linda Haddock, this 1872 Italianate-style house sits on the corner of Water and Madison Street. Paired brackets, attic vents, and pedimented window hoods are just a few elements that make the Italianates unique, inspired by Italian farmhouses and Italian-style villa architecture from the mid-to late-1800s. In the 1980s, Chris Hext, the first president of Franklin Heritage Inc., owned and restored the home, inspiring others in Franklin.
 
200 N. Home Ave.
Dubbed the Dr. Matthew's House, this house was built in 1863 and was home to a pioneering female doctor and her practice. The Gothic Revival-style home, owned by Mike and Amy Jones, features ornate window hoods, a cross-gable roof, decorative vergeboards, and a unique second-story addition.
 
14 Martin Place
Home to Amy and Doug Heavilin, this 1902 Queen Anne Victorian is a charmer. Roy Bryant, former mayor of Franklin and builder of the Artcraft Theatre, first owned this turn-of-the-century home. The Heavilins have owned the home since 2012 and document their journey in preservation on their blog, Vivacious Victorian. The house has 22 rooms, and they aim to restore at least one room annually.
 
551 W. Madison St.
When Mike and Carol Dale peeled back several layers of siding that covered this 1830-built home, they revealed the original, rough-sawn planks of a log cabin. This home has quite a history and demonstrates the transition from an early, temporary lodging to a permanent Madison Street home.

250 E. Madison St.
To avoid demolition, owner Julie Wells moved this 1895 Carpenter-Builder abode from Wayne Street to its current location in 2021 with the help of Franklin Heritage Inc. This home borrows design elements from various Victorian styles in town, including brackets on its porches and fish-scale siding. Inside, you'll find a large fireplace. If you find this home cozy, you can currently find it on Airbnb to rent for your next getaway.
 
601 N. Main St.
Christina Harney's home, built in 1895, sits on a hill and overlooks Main Street, the courthouse, and the heart of downtown Franklin. The Carpenter-Builder home has an L-plan porch, a large bay window, and fish-scale siding in several gables. These unique features, along with two additions and a garage modeled in the same fashion, make this a stop on the tour you don't want to miss.
 
250 N. Water St.
When taking a stroll down Water Street, you can miss this showstopper Queen Anne Victorian, owned by Dani Waller and Dave Camm. Many flourishes are tucked away in this 1890 home, including a parlor on each floor, pocket doors, and a second-floor sleeping porch. The one-over-one windows, fish-scale siding, and decorative millwork make this stop on the tour one to savor.
 
668 Graham Rd.
Will and Regina Harvey's home marries Italianate and Greek Revival styles under one roof. Built in 1850 near the turn of the 19th century, it shows several Italianate features, such as paired brackets and bay window projections, and flairs of Greek Revival through sidelines and transoms.
 
57 N. Main St.
What would a historic home tour in Franklin be without featuring the Historic Artcraft Theatre? Built in 1922, the neoclassical style theatre was spruced up in 1935 and 1948–1952 to showcase the most decadent Art Deco flairs, like a glittering, rounded marque and accompanying neon. Franklin Heritage Inc., has owned and operated the theatre since 2004. Since then, dozens of volunteers and staff have put their time and talent into the theatre, restoring it to its Art Deco glory.
 
49 E. Madison St.
"This Japanese pagoda-styled bungalow is a quaint reminder that small spaces can be beautiful," shares Glenn Faris, History and Preservation Coordinator for Franklin Heritage. Built in 1921, the bungalow was constructed one year before the Artcraft and has been home to many small businesses, with living quarters in the back of the building. This space was first a music store named Goldsmith's Music Shop. Franklin Heritage purchased the building in 2005 and, now dubbed "The Artcraft Cottage," the space is used as green rooms for Artcraft events and as a rental for small events. It has been renovated by many dedicated Franklin Heritage volunteers and the Atterbury Job Corps.
 
48 E. Madison St.
​Another building owned by Franklin Heritage and home to Wild Geese Bookshop, this American Foursquare built in 1911 exemplifies the first authentic American architectural style. The building has four rooms per floor and has seen several renditions of use, including a hotel in the 1930s, an apartment building in the 1970s, and now offices and a bookshop. Franklin Heritage purchased the home in 2013, and from 2015–2021, Atterbury Job Corps and MNM Construction renovated this space to its current state.
 
350 E. Madison St.
Last but not least, Madison Street Salvage! After you take inspiration from the homes on the tour, roll up your sleeves and get supplies for your next home renovation project at Salvage. Christine Hamilton and the crew will lend a helping hand to those looking to find the next piece of vintage furniture or architectural piece for their home. You can also stop by the shop to purchase tickets for a raffle basket and informational sessions with local preservationists and restoration specialists.