The African American Heritage Society of Williamson County is gearing up for its November Porch Talk Event, set for Monday, November 24th, at 6:00 P.M. This gathering will take place at the Williamson County Public Library, located at 1314 Columbia Ave. The Porch Talks series aims to create a platform for experts in historic preservation, alongside historians and community storytellers, to engage in meaningful discussions surrounding African American history and culture.
This month’s event shines a spotlight on Tina Cahalan Jones, the founder of the Slaves to Soldiers Project. Jones will delve into the rich history of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) who bravely served in the Civil War from Williamson County. A key topic will be her initiative to honor these veterans through the installation of commemorative brick pavers in Veterans Park, downtown Franklin. The timing of this discussion is particularly poignant, coinciding with Veterans Day on November 11th, a holiday dedicated to honoring all military veterans, and the anniversary of one of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles, which occurred on November 30th, 1864, in Franklin itself.
Tina Jones has a deeply rooted dedication to honoring veterans, a passion likely inspired by her experiences growing up on an Army base during the Vietnam War. With an academic background that includes degrees from Vassar College and the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, she has successfully carved a path in service-oriented capacities, working in Washington, DC, for Congress and a prominent nonprofit veterans’ service organization focusing on healthcare policy. After earning her law degree from the University of Virginia, she served as associate general counsel for Vanderbilt University. Additionally, her commitment extends to her roles on the boards of the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County and Battle Ground Academy. In 2016, she founded the Slaves to Soldiers project—a pivotal effort to recognize African American Civil War veterans in the area.
Joining Tina for this engaging evening will be Bill Radcliffe, a passionate reenactor of the United States Colored Troops and a founding member of the Nashville-based 13th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops Living History Association. Radcliffe, who is also a Vietnam War veteran and a retired Nashville firefighter, has a personal connection to USCT history as a descendant of Sgt. Maj. Edward Ratcliffe, who heroically served in the 38th US Colored Infantry. Notably, Sgt. Ratcliffe received a Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery at Chaffins Farm, Virginia, in 1864. In a significant tribute to his lineage, Bill Radcliffe was the model for a statue honoring US Colored Troops installed in the Nashville National Cemetery—the first statue of a USCT soldier in a national veteran cemetery. His efforts have also contributed to the creation of similar statues in Helena, Arkansas, Girardeau, Virginia, and most recently in Clarksville, TN, near Fort Campbell.
The African American Heritage Society expresses its sincere gratitude for the community’s unwavering support in its many initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving the rich tapestry of African American history in Williamson County. The stories of these remarkable individuals and their contributions continue to emerge, reminding us of the importance of remembrance and recognition. “Lest We Forget” serves as a powerful mantra for the organization, and as a 501(c)(3) entity, the AAHS welcomes tax-deductible donations to further their mission. Contributions can be made online at aahswc.org, or by mailing checks payable to the African American Heritage Society to P. O. Box 1053, Franklin, TN 37065.
