Mission: The McLemore House Museum is managed by the African-American Heritage Society (AAHS), a non-profit organization whose mission 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.

AAHS Website: https://aahswc.org/projects

History: Ex-slave Harvey McLemore purchased four lots in the Hard Bargain area of Franklin in 1880. He built one of the first residential dwellings 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. 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 Heritage Society, with assistance of the Heritage Foundation, purchased the lot on which the dwelling sits. A house was built on the other lot, directly behind the McLemore House where one of the decedents of Harvey McLemore now resides. 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.

WCMGA Scope: The AAHS has requested our help with their project, working to enhance this historic property, specifically restoring the landscaping to something that is historically accurate and also making it bird and bee friendly (which logically speaking is probably also historically accurate). After the design and restoration work, WCMGA volunteers would continue to assist in maintenance of the landscape just like we do with similar historic sites such as Carter House and Carnton.