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.
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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.
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Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI |
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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
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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