BOOKS
A Tennessee Yankee: Food, Facts, Folklore, Haints, and the House that Loved Me
Preservationist, Historic Register property owner, and music industry veteran Pam Lewis shares her life and the restoration journey when she rescued the Harrison House from development within the pages of her premiere book A Tennessee Yankee.
In a humorous, personal account, the first-time author presents a potpourri of memoirs: color and black and white photos, period and favorite recipes, historic accounts about the Civil War and specifically her adopted home as a Yankee in her beloved town of Franklin, Tennessee. Purchased in 1993, but built in 1826, it served as a spy headquarters, army field hospital in both 1862 and 1864, and most famously, was the command post for the renowned Confederate General, John Bell Hood.
“I wanted to tell my story of how buying an old house can change and enrich life by opening up unimagined doors and opportunities. There are countless books about the war, soldiers and military strategy by noted historians and well-respected academics. But, I wanted to show another aspect of the war, my modern day experiences and the stories of families, townspeople and slaves who were so pivotally effected, as well as the enduring impact of that time period,” Lewis reveals.
Calling the completion of the book, “getting out of my comfort zone” and part of “my bucket list,” she combed through countless letters, recipes, archives and a plethora of books. “It was important for me to complete this project before the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin; and it was a joyful journey of discovery.”
Lewis, an active preservationist and fundraiser will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the book sales to various preservation causes.
“I hope my little account will perhaps amuse, inform and encourage an interest in history and preservation. I’ve realized that we’ve lost so much already. It’s crucial we conserve, preserve and interpret our historic and natural resources. Over the last twenty years living here, it’s clear to me that I am just passing through as steward and the Harrison House, and its story, will be here long after I am gone. This is the legacy. It isn’t just bricks and mortar; it represents a crucial chapter in our shared history. Moreover, the home has become a healing sanctuary and treasured old friend.”
The book is currently available for purchase at Amazon.com, and can also be found at the following locations:
Nashville, TN: PLA Media, The Belmont Mansion, The 5 and Tenn (inside The Omni Hotel)
Franklin, TN: The Carter House, Carnton Plantation, Landmark Books, Handy Hardware Store, The Lotz House
A signed copy of A Tennessee Yankee is available for $19.95 by calling PLA Media at (615) 327-0100. Bulk rates are also available.
QUOTES
“Pam Lewis has been at the forefront of preservation in my community for many years now. Along the way she has worn many hats as publicist, manager, preservationist, politician and advocate. What ties all of them together is her ceaseless passion. She has now added ‘author’ to that list of credentials. A Tennessee Yankee is chocked full of sage advice, details, facts and recipes – all of them linked forever by her love for her community, for history, for good food and for an old house that she has lovingly guarded for many years now.”
Robert Hicks
New York Times Best-Selling Author
“Pam Lewis’ A Tennessee Yankee is a must read for anyone who cares about the American Civil War and ongoing preservation efforts in Franklin, Tennessee. Pam’s writing weaves wonderful and warm stories about food, facts and folklore of the era with the more pressing modern day need to protect what’s left of the rapidly shrinking Franklin battlefield.”
JT Thompson
Founder, Lotz House Museum
Benjamin Franklin: America’s First Rockstar
DISCOVER THE WIT, WISDOM, AND WONDER of Franklin, Tennessee through the eyes of the man who inspired its name in Benjamin Franklin: America’s First Rockstar. Created in honor of Franklin’s 320th birthday and the unveiling of his new downtown statue, this commemorative guidebook blends history, humor, walking-tour adventures, and local lore into one beautifully crafted companion.
Explore Main Street through Benjamin Franklin’s most iconic aphorisms, uncover hidden ties to Dr. Hugh Williamson—the county’s forgotten Founding Father—and learn how Enlightenment ideals still shape the culture, civics, and creativity of Williamson County today. Rich with illustrated maps, historic photos, and QR-linked “bonus stories,” this book transforms the city into an open-air museum where every block carries a spark of Franklin’s genius.
Whether you’re a visitor, a student, or a lifelong resident, you’ll see Franklin, TN with new eyes… and maybe even hear Ben’s dry humor echoing down the streets and in the quaint places. Equal parts guidebook, history lesson, and love letter to a remarkable American town, Benjamin Franklin: America’s First Rockstar is the perfect keepsake for 2026 and beyond.
Ben Franklin Visits Franklin for a Day
On an ordinary afternoon in the town square, a mysterious whirlwind deposits a wide-eyed, kite-toting Benjamin Franklin onto a familiar bench. He’s curious, clever, a little dramatic, and completely amazed to discover a town named after him. Even more astonishing? The children he meets might be just as inventive as he is.
