“Train Town Franklin" is open for the last day today, Sunday, Feb 5

Today, (Sunday, February 5, 2023) is the last day for the Franklin Historical Museum exhibit of the first in a series of annual dioramas entitled, “Train Town Franklin" -- a Historical Exact replica of the area around the train depot, circa 1932, a time when the rhythm of the daily trains set the pace for a small New England Town -- and news from `down at the depot' was the news everyone wanted to hear!

The first diorama in this series will focus on the downtown Franklin area centered on the historic Franklin train station, the Franklin Furniture Warehouse, the W.K. Gilmore Coal Company, and the Railroad Express Agency as well as the bridge over Main/East Central Street. Over time, additional nearby areas will be modeled to make a complete recreation of the heart of old Franklin.

The creativity behind this project comes from Franklin native, and former Town Council Chair, Scott Mason who, throughout his life, has honed his historical knowledge and model building skills. 

Young and old will be captivated by this miniature look at "the way we used to be."

The structures in this exhibit are built to exact scale from photographs and films taken from that period. Information about these buildings will also be on display.

Historical items related to the railroad in Franklin at that time, including the actual “Franklin” sign that hung from the station and other artifacts will be on display.

The exhibit is set to close on 2/5/2023. 

• You can view the photos of the exhibit that I have taken in my visits  https://photos.app.goo.gl/63swENWgBkK4xMrh8

• Let’s listen to my conversation with Scott and his work on “Train Town Franklin” recorded Dec 5, 2022 - Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-892-train-town-franklin-with-scott-mason-12-05-22

"Train Town Franklin" at the Historical Museum

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to run through Feb 5, 2023 at the Franklin Historical Museum

The Franklin Historical Museum will exhibit the first in a series of annual dioramas entitled, “Train Town Franklin"- which will feature a Historical Exact replica of the area around the train depot, circa 1932, a time when the rhythm of the daily trains set the pace for a small New England Town - and news from 'down at the depot' was the news everyone wanted to hear! 

Young and old will be captivated by this miniature look at "the way we used to be". The structures in this exhibit are built to exact scale from photographs and films taken from that period. Franklin native, and former Town Council Chair, Scott Mason utilizes his historical knowledge and model building skills to bring this exhibit to life!

The exhibit will run through February 5, 2023 and will be open to the public every Saturday 10 AM - 1 PM  and Sundays 1 PM - 4 PM with the exception of holidays.

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to run through Feb 5, 2023 at the Franklin Historical Museum

You can view the photos of the exhibit that I have taken in my visits

https://photos.app.goo.gl/63swENWgBkK4xMrh8

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/historical-commission/events/420166

Reminder: "Train Town Franklin" display opens Sunday, Dec 18 at the Historical Museum

"An eight-foot long model of Franklin's New Haven Railroad train depot, as it looked in the 1930s, will be on view starting today, from 1-4 pm at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St.  The display will continue during museum hours through Feb. 5. 2023. Admission is free."

Shared from Franklin Observer

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/135795/honey-i-shrunk-depot 

Let’s listen to my conversation with Scott and his work on “Train Town Franklin” recorded Dec 5, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-892-train-town-franklin-with-scott-mason-12-05-22

Talking about "Train Town Franklin" with Scott Mason (audio)

Talking about "Train Town Franklin" with Scott Mason (audio)

FM #892 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 892 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with current Historical Commission member Scott Mason. Scott is a former three term Town Councilor with a lifelong passion for model railroads. 

Scott is designing and building a diorama of the uptown area of the Franklin train station, circa 1932 for this first phase. Our conversation via conference bridge explores some of his Franklin story and then gets into the development of this first of a series of dioramas. We talk about the research, interesting findings, decisions on scale, etc.

The exhibit is scheduled to open Dec 18, 2022 and run through Feb 2, 2023 at the Historical Museum. The museum is open on Saturdays (10 AM to 1 PM), and Sundays (1 PM to 4 PM) during winter.

Our conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Scott and his work on “Train Town Franklin” recorded Dec 5, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-892-train-town-franklin-with-scott-mason-12-05-22

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Historical Museum notification on "Train Town Franklin" 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/train-town-franklin-scheduled-to-arrive.html

Scott’s model railroad page on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/people/wwwScottyMasoncom/100063840514784/

The Heather McCarron article in Dec 2007 on “Model railroads are Mason's passion’ (subscription may be required) 

https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2007/12/23/model-railroads-are-mason-s/41390388007/

From deep in the archives, my prior recordings with Scott

Sep 2009  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/09/fm-46-scott-mason.html

June 2010 (prep for override vote - which failed)   50 minutes split into 2 parts https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/05/fm-69-scott-mason-part-1-of-2.html

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/05/fm-69-b-scott-mason-part-2-of-2.html

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

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For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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Talking about "Train Town Franklin" with Scott Mason (audio)

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to arrive at the Historical Museum - Dec 18

Beginning December 18th, the Franklin Historical Museum will exhibit the first in a series of annual dioramas entitled, “Train Town Franklin" -- a Historical Exact replica of the area around the train depot, circa 1932, a time when the rhythm of the daily trains set the pace for a small New England Town -- and news from `down at the depot' was the news everyone wanted to hear!

The first diorama in this series will focus on the downtown Franklin area centered on the historic Franklin train station, the Franklin Furniture Warehouse, the W.K. Gilmore Coal Company, and the Railroad Express Agency as well as the bridge over Main/East Central Street. Over time, additional nearby areas will be modeled to make a complete recreation of the heart of old Franklin.

The creativity behind this project comes from Franklin native, and former Town Council Chair, Scott Mason who, throughout his life, has honed his historical knowledge and model building skills. 

Young and old will be captivated by this miniature look at "the way we used to be."

The structures in this exhibit are built to exact scale from photographs and films taken from that period. Information about these buildings will also be on display.

Historical items related to the railroad in Franklin at that time, including the actual “Franklin” sign that hung from the station and other artifacts will be on display.

The exhibit is set to run through 2/5/2023. 

The Historical Museum is open to the public every Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM.

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to arrive at the Historical Museum - Dec 18