The story of the deed transfer of the Nikwasi Mound in Franklin will now be part of a Smithsonian traveling exhibit. The story of the creation of the Nikwasi Initiative and the transfer of the mounds ownership will be a part of "SPARK! Places of Innovation" traveling museum. Bob McCollum is co-chair of the board for the Nikwasi Initiative, the non-profit that the deed of the Eastern Band of Cherokee sacred site was transferred to. "I think the main thing that I feel right now is pride in our community for working together on this project at a time when so many other communities are struggling with similar issues," said McCollum. The Initiative is made up of representatives from Franklin, Macon County, the Eastern Band of Cherokee and Main Spring Conservation Trust. The mound is sacred to the Cherokee but the land was taken by settlers in an 1817 treaty. In 1946, the mound was purchased by the community to protect it and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

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