Franklin hosts statewide DAR bell ringing for first time

The Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) held its annual statewide Constitution Week Bell Ringing in Franklin on Sept. 20 for the first time, moving the ceremony from the Tennessee State Capitol grounds in Nashville.

The relocation to the Williamson County Archives & Museum at 611 West Main St. was part of the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration, as first reported by the Williamson Herald. The year also marks the 70th anniversary of Constitution Week.

The Franklin setting carried its own tie to 1787. Attendees rang red commemorative bells beside "Ben on the Bench," a statue of Constitution signer Benjamin Franklin sculpted by George Lundeen and unveiled Jan. 17. Williamson County is named for fellow signer Hugh Williamson, and the city of Franklin for Benjamin Franklin himself.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, a Franklin resident who has served in the role since 2022, was the featured speaker. He opened with a personal story: as a child, he won a DAR essay contest for a paper about Alexander Hamilton.

"You can draw a straight line from that to winning in the U.S. Supreme Court … I would not be where I am but for the Daughters of the American Revolution," Skrmetti said.

He then discussed federalism and the division of authority between state and federal government. He stressed that the Constitution's power comes from the people who ratified it.

Skrmetti also recognized Zoeyane Smith, first vice president of the Tennessee Society Children of the American Revolution, saying he was pleased to see another generation encouraged to serve the country.

The gathering drew DAR State Board members and chapter delegates from across Tennessee, along with members of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Children of the American Revolution. Tennessee Society DAR State Regent Carol Teeters delivered greetings. Angela Beaton, the society's Constitution Week chair, read Gov. Bill Lee's Constitution Week proclamation. Singer-songwriter Stacy Ries Snyder of the Fort Nashborough Chapter performed a patriotic prelude that included Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."

The ceremony closed outside. Douglas Dickerson, portraying Gen. George Washington, was joined by Donna Lamping as Revolutionary War soldier Deborah Sampson and Joy Graham as Betsy Ross. The three stood with attendees around the Benjamin Franklin statue as red bells rang across the lawn.