Dr. Michael Toomey is a retired professor of history from Lincoln Memorial University where he was a member of the faculty of the Paul V. Hamilton School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. He was the recipient of the LMU prestigious Houston Award for Teaching Excellence. He was also managing editor of the Journal of East Tennessee History and curator of history for the East Tennessee Historical Society. He has written chapters to many peer reviewed books, authored numerous articles, and given professional presentations. Dr Toomey received his BA degree in history from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga and his masters and PhD degrees from UTK.

We are all familiar with the many roles that slaves and slavery played in the Civil War. And, we are familiar with the 3/5th compromise made during the formulation of the Constitution regarding slavery. However, less known is the active role that many slaves and their families played during the Revolutionary War. Many ran away from their owners to take refuge in the promise of the British to protect them while granting them freedom and many died. Dr. Toomey will give us a deep dive into this part of our history - which in many ways was setting the stage for the inevitable Civil War. 

The Lunch With the League (LWL) is scheduled for the first and third Tuesdays of each month (except September 2026) from September through May. The League meets in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Lunches may be purchased for a nominal fee beginning at 11:30 a.m. (eastern time) or attendees may bring their own lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided. The presentation by the speaker begins at 12:00 noon, followed by a question-and-answer session. Guests are welcome to attend these interesting and informative events. Members will be informed via email of any last-minute changes to the program.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m - 2:00 pm 

Doors open at 12:30 and the program will commence at 1:00.

Where: Williamson County Public Library, 1314 Columbia Ave., Franklin, TN

What: Our guests will be two of our County Commissioners, Jennifer Mason, representing District 3 (Franklin), and Nancy Bailey District 7 (Brentwood). 

Jennifer Mason has been a Commissioner since 2017. She serves as Deputy District Attorney General for Williamson County and oversees the Special Victims Unit and specializes in prosecuting crimes against children. 

Nancy Bailey has been a resident of Brentwood for 28 years and holds a degree in Economics from Vanderbilt. She takes over the position on the County Commission that was previously held by Bert Chalfant. 

They will be addressing the responsibilities of the County Commission, the local decision-making process, recent accomplishments, and upcoming challenges facing the county.

This meeting is free and open to the public. Registration is strongly encouraged.  Here is the link:  Wed. Nov. 18 mtg

The League’s monthly programs are designed to help residents stay informed, engaged, and connected to local leadership on issues that shape civic life in Williamson County.