Students looking for something different to do can find tangible connections to history within a short drive of the Lipscomb campus. One such opportunity for hands-on learning is just 30 minutes away in Franklin, Tenn.
Many of the historical sites in and around Franklin are related to the Battle of Franklin, which occurred within the present-day city limits on Nov. 30, 1864. This was one of the American Civil War’s most bloody conflicts, costing the lives of more than 9,500 men.
The Carter House, where some of the most heated fighting took place, is a must for any history-seeker. Walking around the grounds of the brick house, you can touch Civil War cannons and see bullet holes from the battle in the sides of outbuildings. There also is a museum on site which brings the story of the battle home.
Just outside the city is the Carnton Plantation. This family home served as a field hospital for Confederate wounded during and after the battle. The floors of the home are still heavily stained with blood from these soldiers. This is history on a very personal level.
“What we specialize in here at the Franklin battlefield are tangible hands-on experiences,” said Rob Cross, associate historian for both the Carter House and the Carnton Plantation.
These sites make history more than a list of facts to memorize. You can really get a sense of what the people involved in this story were going through. Not only are the sites themselves engaging, but the people involved in the preservation process are passionate about the project. Many of the people involved in the preservation effort, like Cross, have ancestors who fought in the battle or were otherwise involved. This is evident in how enthusiastic they are about sharing the story with visitors.
Any student who is interested in history on any level should visit these sites. They provide opportunities to deepen your education within a day’s drive. The city of Franklin provides a chance to make a personal connection to history.
“We will not let anyone come here and visit the site from a third-person perspective,” Cross said. “You can’t; we won’t let you. You will be immersed.”