Franklin's Birthday Party (photo essay)

The annual party to celebrate the birthday of those who were born on March 2nd. This is the date that Franklin was born as a town. The party held at the Historical Museum on Sunday.

There were buttons for the special birthday guests to wear

birthday buttons

There were balloons

balloons inside museum

There was cake

cake and goodies

There was music performed by Emma Newton. Jamie Barrett was also scheduled to perform

Emma Newton

Did you know you could see the strap used for corporal punishment at the Brick School? This is just one of many items on display at the Historical Museum.

Franklin Historical Museum

You should spend some time exploring Franklin's history. The Museum is free (donations are accepted). The Historical Museum is open

Thursday 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

You can visit the Historical Museum's webpage here  http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/

or follow them on Facebook here

Three Franklin Events for Sunday, Mar 17th

1 - Start with the Community Garden. From 9:00 AM until noon there will be spring garden work and demonstrations
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/2013/03/spring-garden-celebration.html

2 - Help celebrate the solar installation at the First Universalist Society at 11:45 AM
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/solar-anniversary-celebration.html

3 - Franklin celebrates it 235th birthday at the Historical Museum from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Historical Commission Chairwoman Deborah Pellegri knows exactly how far her town has come since March 2, 1778, the date of its incorporation. And this year she will renew a tradition of holding public celebrations of Franklin's birthday. 

Pellegri, also the town clerk, invites one and all to a special party from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. In addition to wishing Franklin a happy birthday, she will recognize, as well, several residents born on March 2. 

Emma Newton, a 13-year-old harpist from Franklin, will perform, as well as local singer/songwriter Jamie Barrett, who’ll play "The City Known as the Town of Franklin," his ode to the town.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433797648/Franklin-to-celebrate-235th-birthday#ixzz2NhGy7Q9g

Jamie Barrett's "The City Known as the Town of Franklin"




And an alternative to these three events would be to get to Boston to see the boys hockey team play in the State Championship game

Franklin's Birthday Celebration

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKLIN

The Franklin Historical Museum will host the Town's 235th Birthday Celebration on Sunday March 17th from 1:00-4:00pm.

13 year old harpest Emma Newton of Franklin will be performing as well as local singer songwriter Jamie Barrett.  Jamie will lead the crowd in singing Happy Birthday and will perform his song 'The City known as the Town of Franklin'.  Emma will perform two 1/2 hour sets.

Franklin residents who share the same March 2nd Birthday with the town have been sent invitations to celebrate this festive occasion at the Museum. 

All are welcome to join us in paying tribute to our town and share in a piece of the giant birthday cake.

The Glass Harmonica

Vera Meyer returned to the Franklin Historical Museum to help celebrates Benjamin Franklin's birthday on Sunday. His birthday actually is Jan 17th.

The standing room only crowd listened, made suggestions, and asked good questions about the glass harmonica.



The instrument is turned by hand or in this case with an electric motor. It is played by holding ones fingers along the edge of the glass. Both the glass and the fingers need to be wet to make good sounds.



When trying to play a piece with high notes, Vera remarked after that she usually brings her own water with her. The instrument plays better with hard water than soft water.



The instrument is more likely to play music with slower tempos like church hymns or waltzes. She did have a request for a polka and that type of music is too much uptempo to do well with this.



For Vera's prior visits to the Historical Museum for Ben's Birthday visit this link for 2012 and this for 2011

For additional info on Ben visit this wikipedia page

For additional information on the glass harmonica this page on wikipedia can get you started

And if you missed stopping by, but would like to hear what the glass harmonica sounds like, skip ahead in this recording to about the 9 minute mark to listen and enjoy  (of course, if you want to step back in time to 2011, don't skip just listen).

Franklin Matters: FM #84 - Week Ending Jan 30, 2011Jan 30, 2011
Those who came by were able to learn from Vera Meyer about the glass harmonica that Ben invented while listening to her play. I hope she is able to come back to the museum in the future. The instrument is special and her ...http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

In the News: Hamilton Storage, Ben's birthday

Tech firm opens in Franklin's Forge Park

by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff

About a year after breaking ground, Hamilton Storage Technologies’ new Forge Park facility is up and running to accommodate the global technology company’s growing business and product development.

Franklin to celebrate Ben Franklin's 307th birthday

by Matt Tota/Daily News staff

The town has ordered the cake and booked the musician in preparation for its much-anticipated yearly celebration: Benjamin Franklin’s birthday.

Note that the birthday party is Sunday, Jan 20. This Sunday, Jan 13, Franklin author Eamon Earls will talk about his new book on Franklin at the Historical Museum.

Historical Museum: Happy Birthday Ben!

Sunday 1/20/13 Happy Birthday Ben!

Celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday and hear Vera Meyer on the Glass Harmonica, and amazing musical instrument invented by Franklin himself.




Franklin Historical Museum is open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday

Garden Party

The Franklin Community Garden celebrated it's one year anniversary with a birthday party on Monday. There was cake!



And even with it looking too good to eat, it was cut and folks did enjoy a piece or two.



For a view of the current growth of the garden beds, check out the following slideshow



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos.

Franklin had a Birthday Party!

Franklin held a party on Sunday to celebrate March 2 birthdays. March 2, 1778 is the birthday of Franklin and its birthday is shared by about 70 residents, more than 20 participated in the party. Friends and family members of the March 2 birthday folks filled up the museum.

I arrived too late to catch the 'real' celebration in action.

All the birthday participants received the following certificate.

The Historical Museum is a good place to visit even if it is not your birthday. It is open Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. and Sunday's from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.




Franklin, MA

Franklin Birthday Celebration - Mar 20 - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Reminder: Franklin's birthday party at the Historical Museum - Sunday, March 20, 2011

Although the Town of Franklin is much older (March 2, 1778), it would be fun to invite everyone that shares March 2nd as their birthday to a “Birthday Bash” at the museum. From the looks of things, we will have over 70 people that share that date from children to adults.

There will be a birthday cake, beverages and balloons. Who knows, we may also have some special birthday presents for everyone.

Your Birthday Celebration

At the Franklin Historical Museum

Sunday, March 20th, 2011 

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Invitation to all

Franklin, MA

Happy birthday Franklin!

On March 2, 1778 Franklin was incorporated.

Franklin shares its birthday with another significant MA personality (Dr Seuss) as well as about 70 Franklin residents.

The party will be held on Sunday, March 20th at the Historical Museum. Join the celebration of Franklin's birthday and those Franklin residents who share the Mar 2nd birthday!

Read more about the history of Franklin, MA in Wikipedia


Related post:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/02/where-you-born-on-march-2.html

Where you born on March 2?

If so, guess what, you share your birthday with the Town of Franklin!

Although the Town of Franklin is much older (March 2, 1778), we thought it would be fun to invite everyone that shares March 2nd as their birthday to a “Birthday Bash” at the museum. From the looks of things, we will have over 70 people that share that date from children to adults.

We are planning to have a cake, beverages and certainly balloons. Who knows, we may also have some special birthday presents for everyone.

Please RSVP as soon as possible to Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk and Chairman of the Historical Commission at 508-520-4900 or email me at dpellegri@franklin.ma.us

Remember, family and friends are all invited and certainly welcomed.

We look forward to hearing from you real soon

Your Birthday Celebration

At the Franklin Historical Museum

Sunday, March 20th, 2011 

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Invitation to all

Franklin, MA

In the News - birthday party, Council positions opening, soldiers home

Franklin to hold party for residents who share birthday with town

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Whalen, Zollo won't run for re-election to Franklin Town Council

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Two soldiers relieved to be back in the States

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

In the News - birthday, Broadway

Franklin to celebrate Benjamin Franklin's birthday Jan. 23

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin school takes look at Broadway

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

In the News - birthdays

By Ashley Studley/Daily News correspondent

Milford Daily News

Posted May 27, 2010 @ 12:45 AM

FRANKLIN —

Horace Mann Middle School students know a good party when they see it.

From Barbie Jeeps to Hannah Montana concerts, one group of students looked back on their special birthdays fondly yesterday afternoon, and remembered that not everyone is as fortunate.

That's why they raised about $500 for the Birthday Wishes charity to provide homeless children with birthday parties.

"You just threw an entire party," shelter coordinator Rachel Freeman said yesterday. "You just made a lot of kids really happy."

Franklin, MA

Ben Franklin - Birthday Jan 17th

JAMES JOHNSTON: Happy Birthday Ben Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by James Johnston/Daily News columnist

Happy Birthday, Franklin Matters!

I was busy this week and almost forgot to celebrate a birthday. Two years ago this past Monday, the first post was generated here at Franklin Matters. The archives for Nov 9, 2007 contain:

• How not to spend Community Preservation Act dollar...
• Amesbury rejects "under" ride
• Franklin: Grand Opening
• Franklin: Holiday Bazaar
• Franklin: Center Commons building brickwork
• Local Scenes from Steve's 2 Cents
• Where in Franklin?
• Franklin Election 2007
• Franklin Override 2007
• Where in Franklin? Summary  

Two Candles in the Dark by photos8.com, originally uploaded by Photos8.com.

As long as readership continues to grow, and I continue to learn and have fun doing this, you can count on more years of Franklin Matters!

Thank you for reading, commenting, and sending emails. All your feedback is greatly appreciated.


Photo credit: Two Candles in the Dark by photos8.com

Horace Mann, birthday - May 4, 1796

This day (May 4) is Horace Mann's birthday. Given the current discussion around education in his home town, it is appropriate to look at what Horace is known for. The wikipedia entry says:

Mann targeted the public school and its problems. The six main problems he targeted were: (1) the public should no longer remain ignorant and free, (2) that such education should be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public; (3) that this education will be best provided in schools that embrace children of all diversities; (4) that this education must be non-sectarian; (5) that this education must be taught by the spirit, methods, and discipline of a free society; and (6) that education should be provided by well-trained, professional teachers. To sum it all up, Horace Mann worked effectively for more and better equipped school houses, longer school years (until 16 years old), higher pay for teachers, and a wider curriculum.

For the remainder of the entry on Horace Mann, born in Franklin, MA on May 4, in 1796 check out his wikipedia entry here.

Neighborhood sign today

Neighborhood sign today; Happy Birthday Betsy!, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Happy Birthday Betsy!

Births, Deaths, Marriages - 2007

Did you know that the Town of Franklin 2008 Annual Report provides the details, names and dates of those born, died and married during 2007?

Births

• May 2007 was the most popular month for births with 32, followed closely by July and August with 31 each
• November and December tied for the least amount of births recorded with 19 each

Deaths

• June and August recorded the most deaths with 16 each, followed closely by April and July with 15 each
• November recorded the least with a total of 6, January was next with 10

Marriages

• September edged out June as the most popular choices for wedding dates with a total of 25 versus 22
• February was the least popular choice of wedding dates with only 2 followed by January and November with 3 each

If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Happy Birthday To Franklin Matters

Happy Birthday To Me, originally uploaded by .bullish.

A belated birthday wish to Franklin Matters!

How quickly a year passes! I created this site to separate the Franklin posts from the rest at Steve's 2 Cents. The first post on this site was November 9, 2007. Over 1200 posts later, it is still going.

Where?
That question you can help me answer.

What should there be more of?
What should there be less of?