Franklin is a city just south of Nashville, in Tennessee. Main Street is lined with galleries, antique shops and restored Victorian buildings. Franklin, Tennessee has a unique blend of history and new growth. Founded in 1799 and named after Benjamin Franklin. In 2009, The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded Franklin the prestigious title of Distinctive Destination for offering an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture and a strong commitment to historic preservation. In the same year the American Planning Association named the downtown Franklin area a  Top Ten Great Neighborhood for the Downtown Franklin’s outstanding historic character and architecture and meaningful protection measures the City has adopted to ensure Franklin’s unique sense of place is not compromised by future growth and development.