Special to the Enquirer

The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to a free event July 26 at The Freight House that will feature Julian Bibb of Franklin, Tennessee.

Bibb, a lawyer for more than 40 years, will speak to the Hartselle community about his preservation and revitalization efforts in historic downtown Franklin.

“One of his unique interests is in the preservation of historic land in the Franklin community – focusing on Civil War sites,” according to an article written about his life and career in Attorney at Law magazine in 2016.

“In the early 20th century, farmland that once was the site of the battlefield was developed into commercial and residential areas. In 2004, a group of people led by Robert Hicks began to develop the idea of buying battlefield land and removing the improvements, transforming the area into public battlefield parks.

“Bibb has been actively involved in this group, Franklin’s Charge, for (more than a decade).

“From buying local venues like a golf course to local office buildings and restaurants, the preservationists have been able to acquire significant acreage and, with involvement by the city, to create two Civil War battlefield parks, which tourists and the general public can enjoy,” the article continues.

Franklin’s Charge is not only restoring historical and cultural significance to the city; the group is bringing in significant tourism revenue.

“We bragged back in 2004 that 7,500 tourists came to Franklin to see our Civil War sites. In 2015, nearly 125,000 tourists came to see them,” Bibb noted in the Attorney at Law magazine.

The group has gained national recognition for its efforts, appearing in National Geographic in 2005 and on news shows and other media outlets around the country.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Hor d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available.

The Freight House Restaurant is located at 200 Railroad St. SW.