Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for October 2026

Sunday, October 11 - `Odyssey in the Wilderness Revisited ‘-- Highlights and personalities from nearly 250 years of Franklin History

This month, our `Second Sunday Speaker' is James C. Johnston Jr., a  long-time Franklin educator, historian, and author of the award-winning `Odyssey in the Wilderness,’ a history of Franklin written for the town’s 200th birthday, in 1978.  Jim will share notable content from the book as well as other personalities, stories, and anecdotes drawn from a lifetime lived in the City Known as the Town of Franklin.  Admission is free but donations are encouraged. The museum is open from 1 to 4 and the program starts at 1:15.

Sunday, October 18 --`How the Democrats Lost America’

On Sunday, Oct. 18, local author Scott Ferson will discuss his new book, `How the Democrats Lost America: Making Sense of the 2024 Election and the Future of American Politics,’  at the Franklin Historical Museum.  Come join a lively, non-partisan talk about the current disconnect in our country with national politics, and specifically the Democratic Party's disconnect. According to Ferson, the book is set in a historical context and ends with an appeal for us to re-examine the promise in the Declaration of Independence == that we have the power to continually shape our democracy and our Constitutional republic.  Ferson is a Democrat political consultant and faculty member at Stonehill College in Easton. The Franklin Historical  Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA, is open from 1-4 on Sunday and the program starts at 1:15. There is no admission charge but donations are encouraged and appreciated. Contact Alan Earls with questions at alan.r.earls@gmail.com or 508 560 3786.

Thursday, Oct. 29--Ghosts and Legends with Jeff Belanger – ADMISSION $5

 

Jeff Belanger, always a favorite with Franklin audiences, is back with new stories for 2026! This ghostly multi-media program will take you on a journey through the haunts in your backyard, and around the world. Pulling from Jeff’s 25 years of research for his books, podcasts, adventures, and the various television shows he’s worked on, join one of the nation’s premiere storytellers for a trip through the unusual and the unexplained.

The program runs from 7 to 9 pm and tickets are $5 (payable at the door and cash only). Space is limited.

 

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM (except as noted above), Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM,.  Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.   Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.org