▼

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Franklin Historical Museum

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Franklin Historical Museum is a cultural heritage institution devoted to the stewardship of Franklin’s history and culture. Our mission is to collect historical artifacts and archival records pertaining to Franklin’s history; preserve the artifacts and documents in our collections; make materials accessible to the public; and to educate the public about Franklin’s historical and cultural narratives through exhibits and programming.

Core Functions

● Collection and Preservation
○ Collect historical artifacts and documents relating to the history of the Town of Franklin, including records from businesses and industries, educational institutions, municipal activities, religious organizations, and social organizations, dating from the 18th to 21st centuries. Ensure the physical stewardship of fragile documents and artifacts, and carry out preservation measures where necessary.
● Organization and Description
○ Organize, describe, and house objects and archival collections according to professional museum administration and archival standards. Develop and manage internal collection documentation, including donation records, object catalogs and inventory, informative finding aids for archival collections, and loan agreements. Make collection documentation accessible to inquiring parties.
● Education and Advocacy
○ In cooperation with the Historical Commission, plan and coordinate exhibits and programming to educate the public on the history of Franklin, and promote awareness and advocate for the protection of the town’s historical and cultural resources.
● Historical Reference
○ Fulfill inquiries and requests from researchers, community members, and town departments on business and industrial history, historical property research, genealogy, and other historical topics related to the Town of Franklin.

Staffing

● One (1) Archivist

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Welcomed over 2,300 visitors from Franklin and surrounding towns for an average of 197 visitors per month, our highest annual attendance on record and a 16.6% increase in visitorship over 2024.
● Offered educational programming on a range of cultural and historical subjects to the public through five exhibits, thirteen guest speaker events, and two musical events.
● With funding from the Community Preservation Committee and support from the Facilities Department, restoration of the cupola was completed on our 183-year-old building.
● Continue to advocate for the preservation of historical resources in the community and make them accessible to the public through programming and exhibits.
● Expand outreach to surrounding communities to increase visitorship and build solidarity with local historic organizations.
● Grow digital collections to improve awareness of and accessibility to communal historic resources.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● This is a level funded budget.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The Franklin Historical Museum is requesting a level funded budget for FY27, with no increases beyond the standard 2.5% COLA for the Archivist, the sole non-union employee for the department. In total, FHM’s budget request accounts for 0.04% of the Town Administrator’s FY27 Operating Budget Model. While this request accounts for a small percentage of the overall budget, that small percentage is fundamental to the continued activities of the Historical Museum, and essential to its mission to preserve and protect Franklin’s historical and cultural heritage.

A loss of funding and/or the sole municipal employee at the museum would result in the loss of 50 years’ worth of progress in historical stewardship and storytelling, the loss of a community space that has been utilized and treasured by Franklin's citizens for the past 183 years, and the loss of 247 years’ worth of history directly preceding the Town’s 250th anniversary in 2028. We hope to continue our mission in sharing historical narratives and being a space by the community, for the community.

at