Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for January 2026

Through January, the SPECTACULAR, FRANKLIN IN MINIATURE CONTINUES ON DISPLAY

It took thousands of hours of research and precision modeling to create three large, models of the center of Franklin, circa 1932, clustered around the railroad tracks that connected the community to nearby towns and faraway cities. The models are an exact representation of the structures that once existed from just west of the present-day Del Carte Conservation land to beyond the present day Mill Store (image above). 

The models include hundreds of structures in 1:87 scale (HO scale), tiny motor vehicles and people and an as yet unknown number of tiny pigeons(!), all modeled from photographs and architectural plans, where available, by master modeler Scott Mason.  

For this special Free event (DONATIONS ENCOURAGED), the Museum will be open during its regular hours, 10-1 on Saturdays and 1-4 on Sundays and at other times by arrangement.

Sunday, Jan. 11 – The ‘Second Sunday Speaker Series’-- “Dissecting the Dioramas”

Award winning historian Joe Landry will begin the talk at 1:15 with a deep dive into the backstory of some of the important structures illustrated in 3D in the Franklin in Miniature exhibit. He will explore the history that is still visible as well as some of the prior structures and enterprises that had already been swept aside by ‘progress’ in 1932.  The second part of the presentation will feature, master modeler, and historian, Scott Mason, discussing the painstaking effort that went into creating his exact models – both the research and the craft work. 

January is Ben Franklin Month in Franklin, honoring his birth month, connections to Franklin and Diverse Interests and Accomplishments. Most of the events this year are at the Franklin Public Library

▪ The January Community Concert at Franklin United Methodist Church features Vera Meyer on the glass armonica, Sat. Jan 10, shortly after 1 pm.  This event is co-sponsored by the Franklin Historical Museum with funding from the Franklin Cultural Council. What is a glass armonica?  It is a musical instrument invented by, you guessed it, Ben Franklin! Free. Donations welcome.

Check out this short video by Ken Burns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57-JQlwRDqc. 

▪ Special Events for Adults--The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution, Saturday, Jan 10 at 4 pm. As part of the town’s annual Ben Franklin Month, Harvard Professor Joyce Chaplin will be at the Franklin Public Library to discuss her new book, The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution.

Kirkus Reviews said: "Historian Chaplin focuses on Benjamin Franklin’s multiple renditions of an innovative stove to examine the intersection of scientific inquiry, race, class, politics, and economics at a time of climate change and resource depletion―a period, she underscores, not unlike our own.” 

This event at the Franklin Public Library is co-sponsored by the Franklin Historical Museum with funding from the Franklin Cultural Council. 

▪ Special Events for All Ages--Live Reading of the Franklin Autobiography, Thursday, January 15 @ 9:30am-7:30pm…. A tradition returns home! Join us for a live reading of Ben Franklin's Autobiography at the Franklin Public Library. Everyone is welcome to read, listen, and comment on the life of our favorite Founding Father.

▪ Franklin as Composer w/ Metro-west Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, January 17 @ 11am --Benjamin Franklin: statesman, entrepreneur, scientist… composer?! Yes, our beloved Ben even dabbled in composing his own music. Join us to explore this aspect of our namesake with the help of the Metro-West Symphony Orchestra at the Franklin Public Library.

Franklin Historical Museum

▪ Ben Franklin Birthday Bash, Saturday, January 17 @ 2pm Join us as we celebrate the birthday of Ben Franklin himself! Music, games, and more at the Franklin Public Library.

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, and, experimentally, Thursday from noon to  5pm.  Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.   Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.org

January 2026 Franklin Public Library News & Events for Franklin, MA

January 2026 Franklin Library News & Events **LIBRARY NEWS** Library Hours The library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The library will be close early Wednesday, December 31 at 2pm and remain closed Thursday, January 1 for the New Year holiday. The library will be closed Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 2026 Reading Challenge January: A Book about or Set in Winter Starting January 1, 2026 Massachusetts Center for the Book is launching their 2026 reading challenge for adults and the library will be rewarding your reading! Check out the new details on the library website. While you visit you can also look into the ongoing challenge for students. VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site Opening Saturday February 7 We Need You! Volunteers are always needed for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, better known as VITA and TCE. Many volunteer roles are available. You can help as a greeter or an interpreter, but most of all we need tax preparers. Training for certification is provided! Learn more at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers or email site coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net. ESOL Program The library is looking for more volunteer tutors for our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. If you want to make a difference right in your own community, this is a great opportunity! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed and volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the volunteer form. Homebound Delivery Program Can't make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door! Franklin Public Library is excited to begin offering Home Delivery Service for Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron's home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For eligibility requirements, registration, and more information, please visit the library website. Franklin Library Book Sale Friday, January 16: 1 - 5pm Saturday, January 17: 9am - 12pm All books are just one dollar! Bag Sale - $5 A Bag Saturday, January 17: 1 - 4pm Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can! **LIBRARY EVENTS** Weekly/Monthly for Children Move Along, Mondays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5) This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required. Doggie Tales! Mondays @ 4pm Registration Required Kiddos who are working on their reading skills will be able to sign up for a time slot to practice reading to a trained therapy dog. Bring your favorite book or read one of ours. Registration is required, and once attendees arrive they will get their time slot on a first come, first served basis. (We'll also have a greeter dog to keep you company while you wait!) Cool Cruisers, Tuesdays @ 9:30am Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that this fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time. No registration required. Pre-K Pals, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:30am (Ages 3-5) This 30-minute program is a perfect jumpstart for kiddos that are approaching school-age! Stories, music, movement, and engaging activities designed to prepare kids for a school environment. No registration required. Wiggle Worms, Tuesdays @ 4pm (Ages 0-5) Beat the afternoon witching hour craziness with a dynamic program for littles! Enjoy music, movement, and some fun surprises. No registration required. Terrific Toddlers! Wednesdays @ 10:30am (Ages 18mo-3) Enjoy thirty minutes of interactive stories, songs, and activities! No registration required. Bookworm Bounce, Wednesdays @ 4pm Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required. Tummy Time, Thursdays @ 9:30am Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby's development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library. Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby's comfort. No registration required. Tot Bop, Thursdays, @ 4pm (Ages 3-5) Get ready to dance around to an energetic playlist in a class that offers littles a chance to play with musicality, coordination, and creativity - all while practicing listening and learning skills! No registration required. Artsy Afternoons, Thursdays @ 4pm (Ages 5-11) Registration Required Join Ms. Cindy for a step-by-step art project specifically for kids! All materials will be provided.  Bubble Buddies, Fridays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5) Enjoy a Friday bubble dance party with music, movement, and fun surprises! No registration required. Weekend Wiggles, Saturdays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5) Littles and their grownups are invited to an epic dance party to kick off the weekend! Get those wiggles out with fun music, exciting surprises, and plenty of joy and laughter. No registration required.  Special Events for Kids & Families  K-Pop Demon Hunters Party, Friday, January 2 @ 10:30am Calling all Demon Hunters! Join us for an epic celebration of everyone's favorite movie, with music, crafts, games, and a few surprises. No registration required. Rainforest Reptiles! Saturday, January 3 @ 10:30am Travel with us to the different rainforests around the world and meet the critters, turtles, snakes and more that call these places home! Real, LIVE animal fun for all ages. No registration required. Petite Picassos, Monday, January 5 @ 4pm (Ages 6-12) Registration Required Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of fireworks! All materials will be provided. Stuffed Animal Village, Saturday, January 10 @ 10:30am Bring your favorite stuffed animal for a special daytrip to our stuffed animal village! Visit the bakery, post office, gym, library, doctors, and more. No registration required. Hairstyling Workshop for Grown-Ups & Kiddos! Friday, January 16 @ 3:30pm Join us for a special hairstyling workshop, perfect for learning something new in the New Year! Learn to do a few special styles, and leave with a kit to continue building your skills at home. No registration required. Franklin as Composer w/ Metro-west Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, January 17 @ 11am Benjamin Franklin: statesman, entrepreneur, scientist… composer?! Yes, our beloved Ben even dabbled in composing his own music. Join us to explore this aspect of our namesake with the help of the Metro-West Symphony Orchestra. Members of the Metro-west Symphony will also perform works written around the same time which influenced Franklin as a composer and musician, including a Mozart Flute Quartet and French Horn Quintet. No registration required. Ben Franklin Birthday Bash, Saturday, January 17 @ 2pm Join us as we celebrate the birthday of Ben Franklin himself with music, games, and more! No registration required. Vison Board Making, Wednesday, January 21 @ 1pm Families - set your intentions for 2026! Join us as we get crafty, creating vision boards AND setting our reading resolutions. No registration required. Tape Town! Saturday, January 24 @ 10:30am Spend an imaginative afternoon at the library! Bring along a small toy vehicle (or borrow one of ours) and cruise along our "roads" made of tape all through our program room, and enjoy a series of interactive pretend play stations all through the town. No registration required. Weekly / Monthly Events for Teens D&D Club, Mondays @ 4pm Registration Required Kids ages 10-17 are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! Dungeons and Dragons, also known as D&D, is one of the most complex tabletop games in history. The library will supply dice, rulebooks, and blank character sheets! We will be using the 5th edition books and rules. Other Table Top systems are welcome! Registration for this club is for the September to December season of Dungeons and Dragons Club. If missing a session please email: mgousie@minlib.net as soon as possible. Dungeon Masters must be at least 12 years old and have experience with Dungeon and Dragons. Dungeon Masters are signing up to lead a table for ALL 16 meetings between September 8th and December 29th. Dungeon Masters are required to choose a premade adventure. Homebrew additions to the adventure are allowed. Players and Dungeon Masters are required to be respectful, kind, and attentive to each other. Groups of Players with a Dungeon Master are welcome to share our space! If you have any questions please email: mgousie@minlib.net Teen Advisory Board, 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 6:30pm Join us each month for Teen Advisory Board. The Teen Advisory Board is a GREAT opportunity to get involved here at the library! You'll help plan events and programs, create displays and decorate the teen space, and help drive decisions around the kinds of materials we bring to the YA collection, all while eating snacks and getting volunteer hours. It's a win-win-win! No registration required.    Game Bytes, Wednesdays @ 4pm Bring a snack and join us for two hours of casual co-op and solo play. Bring your own device or play on the big screen! No registration required. Special Events for Teens K-Pop Demon Hunters Party, Friday, January 2 @ 10:30am Calling all Demon Hunters! Join us for an epic celebration of everyone's favorite movie, with music, crafts, games, and a few surprises. No registration required. Live Reading of the Franklin Autobiography, Thursday, January 15, 9:30am-7:30pm A tradition returns home! Join us for a live reading of Ben Franklin's Autobiography at the Franklin Public Library. Everyone is welcome to read, listen, and comment on the life of our favorite Founding father! No registration required. Franklin as Composer w/ Metro-west Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, January 17 @ 11am Benjamin Franklin: statesman, entrepreneur, scientist… composer?! Yes, our beloved Ben even dabbled in composing his own music. Join us to explore this aspect of our namesake with the help of the Metro-West Symphony Orchestra. Members of the Metro-west Symphony will also perform works written around the same time which influenced Franklin as a composer and musician, including a Mozart Flute Quartet and French Horn Quintet. No registration required. Vison Board Making, Wednesday, January 21 @ 1pm Set your intentions for 2026! Join us as we get crafty, creating vision boards AND setting our reading resolutions. No registration required. Events for Adults English Conversation Group, Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Looking for a casual, low-stress place to practice your English language skills? Join us on Tuesday evenings for a friendly group chat with your fellow English learners. Please note: this group is meant for folks who have a basic grasp of English and are looking for conversational practice, not very beginners. A tutor will be present to answer questions and help keep the conversation flowing, but the focus will not be on formal instruction. No registration required. Table Top, Alternating Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 6pm Registration Required (see below). No Experience Necessary. It's time to dust off your dice, grab a source book and role play your way through hijinks and horrors! Table Top is a monthly game of tabletop role playing games for adults! Email mgousie@minlib.net to sign up and/or get more info. Knitting Group, Fridays, 10am – 12pm Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Library Community Room! All skill levels are welcome. No registration required.   The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution, Saturday, January 10 @ 4pm As part of the town's annual Ben Franklin Month, Harvard Professor Joyce Chaplin will be at the Franklin Public Library to discuss her new book, The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution. Kirkus Reviews said: "Historian Chaplin focuses on Benjamin Franklin's multiple renditions of an innovative stove to examine the intersection of scientific inquiry, race, class, politics, and economics at a time of climate change and resource depletion―a period, she underscores, not unlike our own." No registration required. Watercolors Workshop, Monday, January 12 & 26 @ 6pm Registration Required Relax with a Monday watercolor class with local artist Sharon Carloni. For adults 18 and over. Painting for Adults! Saturday, January 10 @ 1pm Registration Required Are you feeling creative? Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of champagne glasses toasting! All materials will be provided. Craftalong for Adults, Saturday, January 10 @ 2pm Registration Required Get crafty at the library! Adults of all ages and craft ability levels are welcome to join us for this program. One Saturday each month, we'll complete a new DIY, creative craft. All supplies provided. Because adults deserve arts & crafts fun, too! This month: Watercolor Journals. Live Reading of the Franklin Autobiography, Thursday, January 15, 9:30am-7:30pm A tradition returns home! Join us for a live reading of Ben Franklin's Autobiography at the Franklin Public Library. Everyone is welcome to read, listen, and comment on the life of our favorite Founding father! No registration required. Franklin as Composer w/ Metro-west Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, January 17 @ 11am Benjamin Franklin: statesman, entrepreneur, scientist… composer?! Yes, our beloved Ben even dabbled in composing his own music. Join us to explore this aspect of our namesake with the help of the Metro-West Symphony Orchestra. Members of the Metro-west Symphony will also perform works written around the same time which influenced Franklin as a composer and musician, including a Mozart Flute Quartet and French Horn Quintet. No registration required. Go/No Go? Launching your Business with Mentors from SCORE, Thursday, January 22 @ 6:30pm Registration Requested Hey there, future small business owner! This one hour guided conversation will introduce you to the tools you need to confidently decide if your idea for a new business is ready to launch. Get your questions answered, avoid mistakes, and find FREE mentorship with SCORE.  Want to attend, but can't make it to the Library? Join us over Zoom by registering here. Friends of the Franklin Library Valentine's Day Fudge Sale Fudge + Friends = a Very Sweet Deal: fudge for you and support for our library! This is our 4th year partnering with The Fudge Lady of Uxbridge, MA to offer many flavors of her delicious and decadent homemade specialty fudge. Order as gifts for friends & family, treat yourself, or do a little bit of both! Fudge order forms will be available on our website and at the library's circulation desk. Orders will be accepted through Friday, February 6th, and your fudge will be available for pick up at the library during designated times February 11–13 - perfect for Valentine's Day gifting and enjoyment! You Are Invited!  Friends of the Franklin Library is a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization with a mission to support Franklin Public Library. We meet at the library at 7pm on the second Tuesday of each month from September- June. Please consider joining us for an upcoming meeting (January 13 and February 10 are up next) to learn more about volunteering with the Friends. Friends of the Franklin Library wishes all community members a wonderful new year, including many moments spent enjoying Franklin Public Library's amazing and extensive collections and programs! View it on Town of Franklin website

Creative Corner Art Studio will host your birthday party !!!

Creative Corner Art Studio will host your birthday party !!!

We can host your next party or event! 

We offer Themed Birthday Parties, Girl Scout Troop Events, Bar Mitzvahs, Corporate Events and Paint & Sip Nights for the community.

Check out the info and schedule yours ->    https://www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com/birthday-parties-special-events

Children's Museum celebrate Grand Opening & Birthday on Sep 19

Children's Museum celebrate Grand Opening & Birthday on Sep 19

Parents night out!

Children's Museum of Franklin is celebrating its grand opening (and 2nd birthday as a non-profit org!) with an after-hours party in the space.

We hope you can join us for fun, friends, food and live music on September 19.

Details here -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/birthday

Franklin Historical Museum: Celebrate Horace Mann's Birthday

Celebrate Horace Mann's Birthday

An annual tradition at the Franklin Historical Museum is a celebration of the birthday of Franklin-born Horace Mann – a key figure in 19th century reform movements, including abolition, and as the architect of America’s public education movement. And, need we add, a Franklin native.

This year, it will also be a celebration of the growing support from the School Committee to create the Horace Mann Campus from the footprint of FHS and the existing Horace Mann Middle School.

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan noted, "[at their last meeting] The committee was enthusiastic about establishing the Horace Mann Campus. There was discussion about adding signage and boulevard banners on flagpoles to highlight the campus identity (and even discussion about a statue down the line.

"Beyond the campus concept, we also discussed ways to bring Horace Mann’s legacy to life for students and families—similar to what’s been done with the Ladybug. Some ideas included adding his birthday to the school calendar and working with classroom teachers to celebrate it and explore his contributions."

In addition to offering cake, coffee, water and sodas, the museum plans to show some short documentaries about Horace Mann as well as a famous Twilight Zone episode inspired by Mann!

The museum, located at 80 West Central Street, is open from 1-4 and the event is free.

 

Shared from -> https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/300403/extra-happy-birthday-horace-mann-sunday 

Franklon Police help celebrate Joan's 92 birthday

(L-R) Callie, Joan, Andressa (FPD Photo)

"Happy 92nd Birthday to the fabulous Joan! 🎂🎉 This week, Officer Andressa Rosa and Clinician Kallie Montagano stopped by with a card and flowers to help celebrate. It’s become a birthday tradition, and honestly, we’re starting to think Joan is aging backwards! I mean, she’s practically glowing! Meanwhile, Officer Rosa and Clinician Kallie are still trying to figure out how to keep up with her youthful energy. 😄

Building strong community relationships is our favorite part of the job, and it’s moments like these that remind us how important they are. Our officers and clinicians strive to create these special connections, and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate Joan’s milestone together! Here’s to many more years of defying age, Joan! Happy Birthday!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DHOEzbvNJEA/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, March 2, 2025 ??? - Town of Franklin birthday celebration

Sunday, March 2, 2025

** "Look Up" Gallery (during open hours at Franklin Public Library)

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

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Town of Franklin birthday party

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

Happy Birthday Franklin! Let's celebrate on Sunday, March 2, 2025

A lot of important things happened 247 years ago including the discovery of Molybdenum and oxygen, the birth of Abe Lincoln’s father, and, of course, the establishment of the Town of Franklin.  Join the Franklin Historical Museum to celebrate our town’s “birth date” when it was officially incorporated as a municipal entity on March 2, 1778!  

Happy Birthday Franklin

The big event is a trivia contest focused mostly on Franklin facts... The grand prize is a $50 gift certificate to the Rome Restaurant plus 5 runner-up prizes. If you are one of dozens of residents with a Mar. 2 birthday, be sure to join us for ‘bonus points.’  Our trivia MC will be Commissioner Will Lee!

And of course we will have a birthday cake, coffee, water and soda...

Join us at the Franklin Historical Museum, from 1-4 on Sunday, Mar. 2. 

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

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, January 17, 2025 ???

Friday, January 17 = Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday

• Music Boosters Fund Raiser @ Pokémoto
• Fund raising for FHS Science Olympiad @ Panera Bread
• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

9:00am New Student Open House (ECDC)

1:00pm Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

1:00pm Ben Franklin Birthday Bash! (Franklin Public Library)

9:00pm Michael Rivelis (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**  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

Mickey Mouse Birthday Party - Nov 18 at the Franklin Public Library

"Mickey Mouse is turning 95! Join us for games, crafts, snacks, and more as we celebrate everyone's favorite mouse!"

Shared from -> https://fb.me/e/1q5z9Jorm

Mickey Mouse Birthday Party - Nov 18 at the Franklin Public Library

FHS class of 1966 to celebrate 75th birthdays together in October

Via Janet Robinson's Facebook post 

"Mark your calendars. F.H.S. Class of 1966 classmates will celebrate our 75th birthdays on October 20, 2023 at the VFW in Franklin. A group email will be sent soon. 

Please pass party information on to fellow classmates you are in contact with who are not on Facebook. 

PM me to update your mail address you if do not receive the group invite. Looking forward to celebrating with you !"

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pantherpaw/permalink/6137531866355432/

FHS class of 1966 to celebrate 75th birthdays together in October

Happy anniversary Franklin Matters readers! We celebrate 15 years bringing you timely and accurate news!

Happy anniversary to us!

You have read, asked questions, subscribed, commented, sent us something to post, etc. And we welcome that. It take two to tango.

For the folks who may be new, welcome to the group! You may have questions someone has asked before (hence an easy answer) or have a question no one has asked before (and we'll go figure it out).

Integration with Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) will continue. Someday, not too far away, there will be one page with three views to “Watch, Listen, and Read” all of Franklin’s information. 

1. Franklin TV and the three channels will be the “Watch” view

2. Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) will be the “Listen” 

3. last but not least, to help tie them all together will be Franklin Matters as the “Read’ view

What do you get for a free subscription?

If you haven't already Subscribed; please do, you will receive only one email per day with all that matters. https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Why Franklin Matters - why I started this in 2006/2007 and have been at it since https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/why-franklin-matters.html

Meeting notes: the archive on meeting notes and audio recordings for meetings going back to 2008. If interested, a link to the 2007 archives is also available. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html

wfpr.rm podcasts, or play anywhere Radio shows. The link to each podcast as well as the most current episode of each can be found on the page in alphabetical order. https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/franklin-matters-radio.html

The Franklin Matters Radio archives grow regularly as recordings of meetings and interviews are posted. https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/fm-podcasts.html

Among the radio shows posted there are some regular series

• Talk Franklin - a regular discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen

• Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - a post meeting recap

• Interviews with candidates for the Franklin local election (every two years)

• Audio segments of meetings and events recorded, many of them shared via wfpr.fm radio

• If you look for an episode and find a broken link, please let me know. I did change podcast hosts in February 2021. Links prior to that may be in the older format and I can’t update them all easily. They are available and I will do them as you need them.

Key links - a page with collections of writing around a topic. For example the “Election Collections” for each local election since 2007 are available

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/important-links.html

Community Events - built upon the “Cultural Calendar”, this adds the other community events to provide a more holistic view of what is happening. The Town and School official meetings are maintained on their respective calendars.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

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

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.

Happy anniversary Franklin Matters readers! 15 years old and fresh as ever!

Happy Birthday Franklin! - You can help celebrate at the Historical Museum - Mar 6

Where are you celebrating your birthday? 

The Franklin Historical Museum is the place to be to celebrate the 244th birthday of the Town of Franklin. In the midst of our young country’s Revolutionary War, the residents of the western precinct of Wrentham established their own charter and the town of Franklin was incorporated on March 2, 1778. 

All are welcome to stop in for a piece of cake and catch up on Franklin’s history. Residents sharing the same birthdate have received special invitations to share their mutual birthday together. All attendees sharing the same birthday as the town will be entered into a drawing for a bank note with none other than Ben Franklin’s photo adorning it! The fun starts at 1:00 PM Sunday. March 6 with the drawing held at 1:45 PM. 

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. When visiting the museum, please bring a non-perishable food item for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Admission to the museum is always free.

The Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central St, Franklin, MA.

birthday cake in 2015

Second Sunday Speaker Series & Benjamin Franklin's birthday party

Second Sunday Speaker Series

The Franklin Historical Museum is happy to welcome Dennis J. Sardella, PhD, as our guest speaker on Sunday January 9th for his presentation on Byzantine and Russian Icons.  

Dennis has been a docent at the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, Massachusetts since 2012, where he leads gallery tours and introduces visitors to the world of Russian icons. He also writes and speaks regularly to area groups on the topics of religious icons and the role they play in Eastern Christian spirituality. He was a professor at Boston College from 1967 until 2012. In 1990 he became the founding director of the Boston College Presidential Scholars Program, which he directed until his retirement in 2010. For 17 years he and his wife led groups of Boston College Presidential Scholars on month-long study trips to France, and they have continued to travel extensively throughout Western Europe.

Please join us for this informative talk as our Second Sunday Speaker Series continues in 2022. Doors open at 1:00PM, presentation starts at 1:15PM.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN! 

On Sunday January 16th we celebrate Benjamin Franklin's Birthday. The man whose name inspired the naming of our town was born January 17th, 1706. Come learn about Ben and how Franklin came to be named for him. Hear about the story of a Toad and it's tail, how 'sense is preferable to sound' and how his donation started the first public lending library in America. Join us for birthday cake from 1:30-3:00 in the research room of the museum. All are welcome.

Admission is always free. We are ADA compliant with an elevator access in the back of the building. Our gift shop is open year round. 

Second Sunday Speaker Series & Benjamin Franklin's birthday party