Horace Mann, the father of American education, was born here in Franklin, MA in 1796.
The monument along RT 140 at the edge of the Shaw's Plaza marks Horace's birthplace.
![Horace Mann birthplace monument - Shaw's Plaza Horace Mann birthplace monument - Shaw's Plaza](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn2BgUDaCAo0QNxeA73kRZihIkok64FWqYyjTrgZW56F0zoJ_CZzYNi4qAbJz3iZ1UdGIULqwUSBPZlqXkLwpR-DAsw7_3PLvz0nyRxdLjIYFEZeNJ-5mR2hSJo31a4tLX3WYdDF31AE/s1600/20140501_183525.jpg) |
Horace Mann birthplace monument - Shaw's Plaza |
The Mann family grave in the cemetery here in Franklin is not where Horace lies. Horace's grave is in the
North Burial Ground in Providence, RI. I managed to go exploring last year to find the site and take these photos.
![Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMaIJOMJTsbH_swJi8bzx8CVDzZm1rjGuNe5YY61Ak_6oGvuHG9wMCjRD1Y8FP9ufJ_Xg_usjf2P5JAyZGz_tfEnl3MfzT_lzEBohZfaDS5Ht9q8RhCF5Neg2Ohp_HF11Dv8De4jnLNk/s1600/Providence_NorthMain_HMann1.jpg) |
Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI |
![Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nCwXMGZOiN5tDlhl41weEiwwZcyaK77PWrjpW8_9JRFvOajkK9tYihr9VVpK_ztqXhKN8o32e3PIKwtahSNEpEks41MbKA3QvsGZ-IhlEV2wYLx6Ul3dWxlsCnwMz_vMI2bZmiVfrlQ/s1600/Providence_NorthMain_HMann2.jpg) |
Horace Mann grave site view |
Stop by the
Franklin Historical Museum. They have prepared an updated exhibit on Horace Mann.
The 6 main principles of the Common School are shown
![Horace Mann - principles of the 'Common School' Horace Mann - principles of the 'Common School'](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyIw-4o7Fjb7B47HcSpzz1X-jW25cCK3KPQReHaWcOhns2NPQQoVrrGSqPXgDnJnp5DxONMJXkdsmC_ZMkVJaDFIqPeP_kb_9FcuGUB1TsSFKMnv5f5tBt1UXChTFKSr_NVJSNODTJeU/s1600/20140503_112709.jpg) |
Horace Mann - principles of the 'Common School' |
These principles
stand the test of time:
(1) the public should no longer remain ignorant; (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 from a variety of backgrounds; (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.
For additional info on Horace Mann, check his page on wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann
The
Franklin Historical Museum is open
- Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM
- Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
If you do find yourself in Providence with time to explore the North Burial Ground, it is a fascinating place. The info on how to find Horace Mann's grave site can be found on this link:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=664