What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, September 14, 2025 ??

Sunday, September 14

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Sunday Speaker Series: Author Lee Wilson Will Brings 19th Century, Women’s Ed Pioneer, Catharine Beecher to Life (Franklin Historical Museum)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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What's happening in Franklin, MA

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Author Lee Wilson Will Brings 19th Century, Women’s Ed Pioneer, Catharine Beecher to Life!

Sunday, September. 14 the Second Sunday Speaker Series continues.

R. Lee Wilson’s recent book, 
Women’s Crusader

Billed as “The incredible untold story of how a lighthearted romantic became a pioneer advocate for women’s education,” R. Lee Wilson’s recent book, Women’s Crusader,  tells the story of Catharine Beecher and of her big impact on 19th century America. 

Sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose book, `Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ was a bestseller, blamed by some for sparking the Civil War, Catharine at first seemed more destined for a life of domesticity than of public leadership. 

But a chance interaction led her into a romance with Franklin-born Alexander Metcalf Fisher, a brilliant Yale professor. However, after they became engaged, Fisher died in a tragic shipwreck that changed the focus of Catharine’s life. After living for a time in Franklin, with Fisher’s family, she emerged with a clear view of her life’s work, fighting misogyny and creating opportunities for women to get the education they needed and deserved. 

The story even includes a role for Franklin famous education pioneer Horace Mann! 

The program starts at 1:15.  

The museum is open from 1-4 and admission is free. OPEN TO THE MEDIA

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) and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry.    Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, August 10, 2025 ??

Sunday, August 10

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1:00pm 24th annual Bill Capen Memorial Golf Tournament (Wentworth Hills Country Club)

1:00pm Sunday Fundays (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker -A Deep Dive Into the Rayner Postcard Collection

 (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)

** NO Town Meetings today   **

------------

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for August 2025

Bridal Exhibit Continues

Thanks to popular demand, Franklin Historical Museum is holding over its popular Bridal Gown Exhibit, Something Old and Something New, through August! See gowns worn by Franklin-area brides in a range of fashions throughout the decades, from the late 1800s right up to the 2000s. Bridal photography and ephemera are also on display. 

Bridal Gown Exhibit, Something Old and Something New

Each of the more than  30 gowns carries with it a unique story, preserving the hopes and dreams of each bride on her special day for generations to come. Our 2025 exhibit again features the highly requested 1946 parachute dress with the amazing 15-foot train, sewn from the silk used in a Japanese military parachute.

The Bridal Exhibit continues through Saturday, August 30 during regular museum hours, Saturdays 10 to 1 and Sundays 1 to 4. 

Please verify open hours over Labor Day weekend by visiting https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com

Sunday, August 10 

Second Sunday Speaker Series:  A Deep Dive Into the Rayner Postcard Collection

The Rayner Postcard Collection is one of the most important collections of postcards of Franklin, currently in the collection of the Franklin Public Library. Historical Commission Chair, Alan Earls, will show as many of the 100 plus postcard, some in color and some in black and white, dating from the late 19th century to about 1970, as can be squeezed into 50 minutes! The program starts at 1:15.  

The museum is open from 1-4 and admission is free. Due to the presence of the Bridal Exhibit, seating is somewhat limited.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry.    Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.   

Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com

Additional photos of the Bridal Gown exhibit ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/LainhpBGwGNUm6o49

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, May 11, 2025 ???

Sunday, May 11 =  Mother's Day

9:00am Fallen Hero: Charles Christakes (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm "The Pioneering Women of Franklin" (Franklin Historical Museum)

4:00pm Electric Youth (with Future Shock) (THE BLACK BOX)

7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

 

-------------

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Historical Museum Weekend: Cinema 80 film Saturday; "The Pioneering Women of Franklin" Sunday

Saturday, May 10

CINEMA 80, the Museum’s film program is back with an Itallian Film Festival

In cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center and the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Lodge, the museum will be hosting several free Italian-themed films, shown on Saturday at 6:30 PM unless otherwise noted:

• May 10 - Luca ( at 1:00 in the afternoon) (Italian-themed 2021 Pixar animated film) 

Sunday, May 11

Second Sunday Speaker Series: For Mother’s Day, “The Pioneering Women of Franklin”

A group of very influential and accomplished women emerged in Franklin in the late 19th and early 20th century, heralding a new egalitarian era and (eventually) suffrage for women.  

Historical Commission Chair Alan Earls will relate the stories of a literary lioness, a missionary, an artist and educator who was torn between her native Germany and Franklin, and a woman who pioneered the dystopian novel.

There may also be mention of some important 20th century Franklin women.

  

The slide show and talk starts at 1:15.  

The museum is open from 1-4 and admission is free.

Historical Museum Weekend: Cinema 80 film Saturday;
"The Pioneering Women of Franklin" Sunday

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, April 13, 2025 ???

Sunday, April 13

** Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: History in Our Backyard (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:30pm Chess Group (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

 

 

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

 

 

** NO Town Meetings today   **

-------------

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

 

 

 

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for April 2025

Sun. April 13 --Second Sunday Speaker Series: History in Our Backyard!

Tip O’Neill is remembered as saying all politics is local. All history is local too. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Rob Lawson of Dean College will share a variety of examples where “big” history (national/global) meets local history stories. Wars, pandemics, and natural disasters are painful reminders of how big events can affect local communities, and Franklin is no exception. 

Together, we’ll encounter a couple of Franklin history “puzzles” and explore some of the film and digital history initiatives that are making our local history accessible and relevant right now. Bring your curiosity and put on your thinking cap as we explore the history in our backyard!  

Museum is open from 1-4, program starts at 1:15. FREE

Sat. April 26 – Franklin’s Ladybugs and the Ladybug Trail

Ever wonder what all the fuss is about ladybugs in Franklin? We’ve got the answers with historic memorabilia and a continuously running slide show that tells about our intrepid elementary school ‘Lobbyists” who convinced the state government and governor to make the ladybug the state insect back in 1974. 

AND, of course, the annual Ladybug Trail Kickoff Walk begins at the museum with free water (and restrooms), maps, plus a fun visual cue or two. 

The museum is at 80 West Central Street will be open from 9-3.

Sun. April 27 --Second Annual “Friends of the Museum” Appraisal Day!

Your Appraiser is James C. "Jim" Johnston

Antique Appraisal Day is back Sunday afternoon from 1-5 at 80 West Central Street.  What to expect? Good humor, great information, and highly cost-effective oral evaluation of your treasured items.   Satisfy your curiosity, mark something as special for your family members, or venture out to an auction or eBay with confidence. 

Oral appraisals are just $10 for the first item or up to three items for $25.  

Your Appraiser is James C. "Jim" Johnston, in the Appraisal and Antique business for more than six decades, a retired educator, historian, author. Sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, March 9, 2025 ???

Sunday, March 9 = Daylight Saving Time starts

"Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library - Community Room during open hours)

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

--------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for March 2025

Sunday, March 9 -- Second Sunday Speaker Series:  

Historical Commission Chair, Alan Earls, will lead a presentation and discussion about the 100+ year story of Clark Cutler, McDermott, the very successful local maker of (mostly) non-woven textiles at the Franklin Historical Museum. Originally founded in 1911 to manufacture horse blankets, Clark Cutler became a pioneering supplier of “grass” for the newly popular amusement, Miniature Golf, developed patented vibration reduction material still used in industrial processes today, and became a key supplier to the global auto industry. If you or a family member worked at the company, please bring your stories! Museum is open from1-4, program starts at 1:15. FREE

Sunday, March 16 -- “Third Sunday” Music at the Museum program => POSTPONED   to SUN MAR. 30

Franklin Historical Museum

Our March Third Sunday "Music at the Museum" program has been POSTPONED to March 30. The program offers a deep (but accessible!) dive into 12-tone or serial composition -- a very influential aspect of "modern" music that emerged in Vienna about a century ago and was widely championed by composer Arnold Schoenberg.  Over time, the technique increased greatly in popularity and eventually became widely influential on Mid 20th-century and later composers. Many important composers who had originally actively opposed the technique, such as Aaron Copland and Igor Stravinsky, eventually adopted it in their music and its influence even appears at times in popular music. Historical Commission Member and Music Educator Randy LaRosa will lead the discussion of the mysteries and pleasures of this musical philosophy that continues to challenge and inspire creatives. Museum open 1-4, program starts at 1:15. FREE

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) and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry.    Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.    

Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com

Second Sunday Speaker: “History in Our Backyard!”

Dean College Professor. Dr. Rob Lawson, presents “History in Our Backyard!” Congressman Tip O’Neill is remembered as saying all politics is local. All history is local too. 

In this interactive presentation, Dr. Lawson will share a variety of examples where “big” history (national/global) meets local history stories. Wars, pandemics, and natural disasters are painful reminders of how big events can affect local communities, and Franklin is no exception. 

Together, we’ll encounter a couple of Franklin history “puzzles” and explore some of the film and digital history initiatives that are making our local history accessible and relevant right now. 

Bring your curiosity and put on your thinking cap as we explore the history in our backyard! at the Franklin Historical Museum. 

Museum open 1-4, program starts at 1:15. FREE

Second Sunday Speaker: “History in Our Backyard!”

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, January 12, 2025 ???

Sunday, January 12

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum) 

2:00pm FPAC: To Tell a Story About the Earth (THE BLACK BOX)

2:30pm Chess Group (Franklin Public Library)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

--------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, December 8, 2024 ???

Sunday, December 8

• Winter Coat Drive (4 drop off locations)
• Franklin Art Association, Art Show & Sale (Norfolk Public Library)

MBTA shuttle bus on Franklin Line

10:00am Breakfast Buffet with Santa Claus (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

11:00am Winter Wreath Design Class (Fiori and Fern)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: WCVB Chronicle's Ted Reinstein (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm Franklin Performing Arts Company presents The Nutcracker (Franklin High School)

**   NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars