Town of Franklin to Establish a 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

The Town of Franklin is excited to announce the establishment of a 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee. The Committee will plan, organize, and carry out events and activities pertaining to Franklin’s 250th Anniversary celebration, which will be held throughout the Town’s semiquincentennial year, culminating with a signature event marking the Town’s 250th anniversary of March 2, 2028. 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

“The Town Council is enthusiastic in establishing this committee in recognition of Franklin’s 250th Anniversary”, stated Town Council Chair Thomas Mercer. “The mission of the Committee is to have events throughout the year recognizing Franklin’s Past, Present and Future - engaging all Franklinites in a celebratory, collaborative, and unified manner.” 

Thirteen voting members and five ex officio non-voting staff members will be appointed to the Committee. Of the thirteen voting members, one member from the Cultural District Committee, Cultural Council, Historical Commission, and Library Board of Directors will be recommended to the Town Administrator by the Chair of each committee, and one member of the Dean College organization will be recommended by the College’s President or Interim President.  Eight At-Large Franklin residents will be selected through the Town’s standard volunteer application process. The terms of the committee members will end on June 30, 2029.

“The Committee will be asked to engage town boards, committees and departments for input, ideas and collaboration on the yearlong celebration and plan a rich program of events and activities”, said Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “Due to the nature of this committee, the Town is able to establish a fund in accordance with MGL Chapter 53, Section 53i and fundraise to finance these programs. The Town anticipates hosting events and activities similar to what many other communities have done during their celebrations, such as a gala, carnival, parade, concert, fireworks, time capsule, monument, tours, a tree or other commemorative gesture, or whatever creative ideas the committee comes up with that tells Franklin's unique story.”

Franklin residents interested in serving on the Committee should apply via the Town’s Online Volunteer Application Form. The application will remain open to the community until September 15, 2025.  The Town anticipates that the Committee will begin meeting this October, 2025