Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Alma McLemore, Acting Director and President of the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County, who highlights the nonprofit organization’s mission and efforts to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts pertaining to Williamson County African American culture, and to increase understanding and appreciation of the heritage for future generations. During the interview, Alma shares some of her personal story as a native of Franklin, Tennessee with deep roots in the community. She talks about how the organization was started, some of the preservation projects, including the McLemore House Museum and Merrill-Williams Home, and how the community can get involved and support their efforts.
The African-American Heritage Society is 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.
Alma McLemore, a native of Franklin, is the President of the board of directors of the African American Heritage Society and serves as Executive Director. Ms. McLemore, or Alma Lee, as she is known to her close friends and classmates is a graduate of Franklin High School’s first integrated class. She has deep roots in the community and a servant’s heart. Alma serves on the City of Franklin’s Planning Commission and Battlefield Preservation Commission. During her tenure at the AAHS, Ms. McLemore has overseen the restoration of The McLemore House while it has been closed for COVID. In 2021, the AAHS was also able to purchase a second property, the Merrill-Williams home located on Natchez Street. The home will eventually be used for educational and interpretive purposes for the Natchez neighborhood and for Black history. McLemore never says “no” when asked to serve!
Alma has served on many boards including Habitat for Humanity, WAVES, Franklin Tomorrow, New Hope Academy, Williamson County Chamber of Commerce Affordable Housing Taskforce, Mercy’s Children Clinic, United Community Resource Foundation, Franklin Tomorrow’s Housing Task Force, and United Way of Williamson County Task Force. Alma is a graduate of the City of Franklin Citizens Police Academy and a graduate of the Leadership Franklin Class of 2000. Alma is a member of the City of Franklin Housing Commission, the City of Franklin Civil War Commission, Battle of Franklin Trust, Williamson Co. Convention and Visitors Bureau, recent past members of Columbia State Community College Foundation Board and the 21st Recovery Court Board of Directors, where she still volunteers with the board’s annual fundraisers.
- Origin of AAHS & our Mission & programs- sharing how AAHS got started, our mission and what we are currently doing- our programs and activities and annual events.
- How the community can get involved
Website: https://aahswc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAHSofWilliamsonCounty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/McLemoreHouse
