Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 1:34 pm

Thomas Cartwright, one of the nation’s leading authority on the Battle of Franklin, announced today with Lotz House Executive Director J.T. Thompson they are teaming up to bring “Battlefield Walking Tours” to Franklin.

Cartwright, well-known internationally for his knowledge and passion for the Civil War and the Battle of Franklin, will walk the battlefield with enthusiasts while recounting the steps and the stories of the historic battle held on November 30, 1864.

In making the announcement, Thompson said, “Teaming up with Thomas Cartwright is an amazing opportunity for not only Franklin, but for the many Civil War students yearning for the unique experience of actually walking in the steps of the soldiers, hearing the gripping stories and understanding the feelings of the soldiers from the ultimate authority on the Battle of Franklin.”

Thompson added, “Since we opened the Lotz House last fall, we’ve been focused on telling the compelling story of the Lotz family, the times and the antiques. This walking tour with Thomas Cartwright complements and completes our goals to educate others on the tragedy that happened here in 1864.”

Cartwright is often seen on the History Channel and quoted in national publications on the topic of the Civil War and the significant role played in the Battle of Franklin. He most recently was Executive Director of The Carter House, located across the street from the Lotz House, where he worked for nearly 20 years.

Cartwright said, "It is a great honor to help in keeping the memory of those brave Americans alive. I am grateful to be allowed to tell the stories of some of the bravest men the world has ever known."

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Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau Heritage Tourism Manager Deborah Warnick said, “I am thrilled to learn about Thomas Cartwright joining the Lotz House for the battlefield tours. He is an icon and represents the face of the Battle of the Franklin due to his impressive knowledge of the battle and the many colorful stories surrounding the events that led up to the battle, during the battle as well as the fall out afterward. He’s a true national historian and we’re proud to have him bring these stories alive for visitors to Williamson County.”

Prior to this entrepreneurial effort, Cartwright was Director of the Carter House from 1997 until 2008. He joined the Carter House in 1989 and was Military Curator and Historian until he was promoted to Director.

Thomas Cartwright frequently appears on various documentaries for the History Channel, A&E, Travel Channel, CNN, Discovery, and Preservation Channel. For many years, he has lectured throughout most of the United States for Civil War Round Tables, corporations, preservation groups and heritage organizations.

Cartwright is a supporter of the Civil War Preservation Trust, and many other local and national organizations. For the last 20 years, he has guided groups throughout most the Western Theater battlefields.

In addition, Cartwright authored several articles and essays published in Tennessee Celebrate South Museum of the Confederacy, A Meteor Shining Brightly Essays on Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne, Black Southerners in Gray, The Encyclopedia of the Irish in America, Civil War Times and Around the State A Publication of Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association.

He is currently authoring two books: Mascots in the Civil War and Battle of Thompson's Station. Cartwright began visiting battlefields as a young boy, and his interest was encouraged by listening to stories about his great-grandfather, who was in the war, the Civil War Centennial, and many great historians including the late Stanley Horn.

The Lotz House, which has been on the National Historic Register since 1976, is located in the heart of downtown historic Franklin, Tennessee at “epicenter” of the Battle of Franklin which was a pivotal battle in the Civil War on November 30, 1864.

Guided tours of the Lotz House includes stories of the Lotz family, history on the house which features the battle scars from the battle, and some of the finest antiques of dating from the 1820’s – 1860’s.”

Wendell Garrett, editor at large at The Magazine Antiques said, “This collection of antiques is by far the finest private collection of American Victorian Furniture in the Southeast.”