Women's History Trail Countdown, by Theresa Ramsey, WHT Leadership Team

Image cropped from an earlier press release by Macon Media.

 PRESS RELEASE (03-14-2024)
WOMEN's HISTORY TRAIL 

WHT Sculpture Unveiling Countdown March 23…less than one week away! Here’s what you need to know!

Article written by Theresa Ramsey, WHT Leadership Team

We are getting excited about the WHT Sculpture Community Celebration scheduled on March 23, 2024, at 11 am at the Women’s History Park located at 592 E. Main Street, Franklin. After years of work and much appreciated support from the community, “Sowing the Seeds of the Future,” the late Barbara McRae’s vision, will come to fruition. The Women’s History Trail and sculpture (created by Wesley Wofford) are projects of the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (a local non-profit) that will officially donate this historic piece of public art to the Town of Franklin and designate it as the trailhead for the WHT. We hope you will join us for the celebration. Here are a few important reminders to help you navigate the day: IF the weather is volatile, check the website for an alternate location: WomensHistoryTrail.org. If you are still unsure about the location, go to the sculpture site, Women’s History Park (592 E. Main Street) and if the unveiling has been moved inside, there will be an informational sign to guide you to a nearby location. Currently, our alternate venue is East Franklin Elementary School Gymnasium. We will only move the event inside IF the weather is severe, so plan to be outside even if light rain is forecasted. On-site parking at the site is very limited. We encourage you to park at East Franklin Elementary School (100 Watauga Street, Franklin) and take the free shuttle to Women’s History Park. There will be an area on-site to drop off people with mobility issues, and some designated handicap parking spaces. Additional handicap parking will be adjacent to the site and clearly marked with signage.

Come early - preshow entertainment will begin at 10:30 featuring Blue Jazz. There will be limited seating on-site for the event (you may wish to bring a chair). Our celebration ceremony will conclude with a special interpretive dance by Jada Bryson and the Dance Arts Co-op. Immediately following the ceremony, all are invited to partake of light refreshments as you mingle about the park and enjoy entertainment by Ubuntu Choir, Susan Pepper and Laila Messer, and Cherokee Storyteller Kathi Littlejohn. Also, sculptor Wesley Wofford and Studio Director Odyssey Wofford will be in the sculpture circle to share more about their journey in the creation of “Sowing the Seeds of the Future.”

As our event concludes, be sure to head uptown and about as many of the area businesses have joined in celebrating the Women’s History Trail by offering special store sales on March 23: Gracious Plates on Main (50% small plates from 11 am – 4 pm); Ruby City Gems and Minerals (20% discount, mention WHT); Silver Threads and Golden Needles (20% discount from 1 – 3 pm, mention sculpture); Rusted Arrow Market (Easter Egg surprise with discount offers inside); Smoky Sew Company ($5 off $25 or more, mention WHT Unveiling); and Trail Mix (20% discount on all full priced items from 10 am – 6 pm, mention WHT). These and other businesses will feature heritage displays to commemorate this special day: A Novel Escape Bookstore (women’s historical book display); Mossy Rock (book signing by local author Juanita Helewski: Poetic Passages); Bent Willow (banner of one of the “ladies” from the sculpture); Kitchen Sink, Inc. (historical apron display and sample fresh Indian Flatbread with dipping sauces); Pink Peonies (vintage clothing and hats display); FROG Quarters (history of FROGS); and Renee’s Cake Shoppe (Lassie Kelly display and her special pound cake). Our celebration program is extending entertainment into the uptown area with performances at the Gazebo by Tom Estes and Wyatt Duvall at 1:00 pm, Blue Jazz at 1:45 pm, and Susan Pepper and Laila Messer at 2:30

pm. and Kathi Littlejohn will share Cherokee stories at 2:00 pm at the Scottish Tartans Museum. Plus, Wyatt Duvall and Lady and the Tramps will be roving on the streets to various locations. Celebration entertainment is sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County, Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center and through a private donation.

In addition to the WHT Sculpture Celebration and happenings, Phillips Street will be closed for Franklin’s first street fair of the season: Artisan Alley (11 am – 4 pm) featuring the handmade, homemade, home grown, vintage and antiques. The 2024 Franklin AT (Appalachian Trail) Celebration will also be in full swing – learn more their activities at ATmile110.com. We invite everyone to take a walk of the WHT Trail and learn more about women from the past who have helped shape our rich history. And nearby, Lazy Hiker Brewing Company will debut a new beer to honor WHT called Sowing the Seeds. Leading up to the celebration on March 23, select downtown businesses will host a banner of one of the “ladies” on the sculpture. Visit our website for more information, WomensHistoryTrail.org.

A special thanks to Winding Stair Farm Nursery for their donation of wildflower seeds to help celebrate “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” – what better time to sow seeds than in the springtime! The Women’s History Trail is a project of the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County. Our WHT Sculpture Community Celebration was made possible with support from the Town of Franklin, the Tourism Development Committee (TDC), Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and individual donations.