The Heritage Ball Patrons Party Raises Funds to Preserve and Conserve

As the sun set, supporters of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County gathered at Leiper’s Fork Distillery for the Heritage Ball Patrons Party. Distillery owner Lee Kennedy greeted guests and shared stories about the whiskey made on the property. Heritage Ball co-chairs Debbie and Bo Segers mingled with attendees and built excitement for the upcoming ball.

While soft refrains of bluegrass music wafted through the air, guests enjoyed signature cocktails and a delicious, hearty buffet including prime rib sandwiches, empanadas, meatballs, and cheese and charcuterie. Many longtime supporters were on hand to visit like old friends do. Planner Amos Gott, who organized both the patrons party and the ball, kept a sharp eye on details to ensure everything ran smoothly.

The purpose of the Heritage Ball Patrons Party is to celebrate the organization’s advancements and to thank donors and supporters for their generosity in sustaining its mission. Bari Beasley, Heritage Foundation of Williamson County president and CEO, went off script during her remarks, sharing some of the exciting projects the organization has completed in 2025. 

The foundation restored a historic rock wall through its grassland preservation project. It hosted a town hall in College Grove, gathering over 80 residents eager to safeguard historic places as development accelerates. It hosted the eighth annual symposium on historic preservation, engaging top stakeholders in the area. Bari also called out the progress on the Franklin Grove preservation project, which recently moved into its next phase. “We’ve been working to make sure that the voice of the Heritage Foundation and of preservation is a part of the bigger story,” Bari said.

After Bari’s remarks, Bo introduced a special auction item created in collaboration with Leiper’s Fork Distillery: the Heritage Collection, a Tennessee whiskey and bourbon set available in the online auction.