Franklin, TN — Just in time for the upcoming Sesquicentennial, the City of Franklin Parks Department is launching a Franklin Historic Parks audio cell phone tour. Visitors, residents, and students will get a short history lesson simply by dialing a number on their phone. The tour is available to Spanish speaking visitors and is ADA compliant as those participating can call from their car, home or classroom. Visitors can call 615.216.1597 then follow the prompts to hear about 11 historic sites in ten of Franklin’s historic parks. The parks included in the audio cell phone tour include: Winstead Hill, Assault on the Cotton Gin, Rest Haven Cemetery, City Cemetery, the Park at Harlinsdale Farm, Fort Granger/Roper’s Knob, Collins Farm, and Eastern Flank Battle Park.
“This self guided tour has already had more than a hundred calls from visitors as far away as California,” said Park Director Lisa Clayton. “This is a great way for visitors to learn the history of the area, and also a wonderful way for our department to track the visitors to our parks.”
“The Battlefield Preservation Commission believes that the Historic Parks Audio Tour reinforces our mission by connecting these powerful stories and providing interpretation to anyone who wants it, whether it’s a park visitor or someone who lives entire states away.” said Battlefield Preservation Commission Vice-Chair Sam Whitson
A QR Code is available to use with smart phones at the calling sites. The cell phone tour is free, however normal usage rates apply. Special thanks to local talent who helped voice the narratives at each stop; Mary Pearce, Eric Jacobson, Robert Huff, Sergio Guerra, Margie Thessin, Thomas Flagel and Jim Hayes, and to Thomas Flagel for writing the scripts.