OnTrack - The Growing Miniature World of 1932 Franklin at Franklin Historical Museum

For the past two years, Scott Mason, a professional creator of miniature models and dioramas and a member of the Franklin Historical Commission, has been gradually creating the world of 1932 Franklin, centered on the historic depot that still sits at the heart of the town, just off of Depot Street.  

The original model, measuring about eight feet long and including the depot, coal company, piano factory building, and much more, was displayed last December and January. This year it is back, joined by a newly created model of the Thomson Press factory (current location of Station 117) and the railroad ‘roundhouse’, both located about a quarter mile to the east of the depot. Together they provide a mesmerizing window into the Franklin of nearly a century ago.

This miniature world exhibit, fascinating to young and old alike, will be on display until mid-January during the museum’s normal operating hours, Saturdays 10-1 and Sundays 1-4. 

Photo album of some of the view for the new section displayed as of Dec 2, 2023 ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/XmDcRiygct5kg6Vh7

You can listen to Scott and I talk about the Train Town exhibit and how it came together in this episode ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town.html

loading off the spur to the Thompson Press

Ian Kabat art works on exhibit at 67 Degrees - Dec 2, from 2 to 4 PM with music by Kai Olsson

"Check out 67 Degrees on Dec 2 & meet local artist Ian Kabat.  

Have a beer. Relax. Enjoy music by Kai Olsson. 

His work will be on display through January"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/groups/732617870648037/permalink/1459117521331398/

Ian Kabat art works on exhibit at 67 Degrees - Dec 2, 2 to 4 PM with music by Kai Olsson

Visit Ian's web page for additional samples of his work.  http://iankabat.com/

Note: Ian is the designer of the Franklin Food Pantry logo introduced in August 2013. 

Art Association Juried Exhibit Scheduled for Strawberry Stroll Friday, June 9

The Franklin Art Association (FAA) has a juried art exhibit scheduled for the Strawberry Stroll on Friday, June 9. The exhibit will be located at Escape Into Fiction.

Shared from https://www.instagram.com/p/CtFFVeuxY6R/

Art Association Juried Exhibit Scheduled for Strawberry Stroll Friday, June 9

"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

Franklin Public Library is pleased to be sponsoring The Bay State: A Multicultural Landscape, from October 1 to October 31

Franklin Public Library is pleased to be sponsoring 

The Bay State: A  Multicultural Landscape, 

from October 1 to October 31 

   

The work of noted photographer Mark Chester, the exhibit celebrates Massachusetts newest citizens hailing from 195 countries around the globe!  

Franklin Public Library is pleased to be presenting the work of nationally known photographer Mark Chester. His traveling exhibit, The Bay State: A Multicultural Landscape –Photographs Of New Americans, is on display from October 1 - October 31, 2021 at 118 Main Street Franklin, MA in the Friends of the Franklin Library Room. The exhibit was made possible by the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. It will be open during regular library hours.  

Mark Chester's powerful photographs showcase Massachusetts newest citizens, who hail from 195 countries and territories around the globe. Through Mark Chester's lens, viewers can share and celebrate the richness of the Baystate's cultural heritage. The project supports the mission of MIRA, the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. For further info on the project, log on to markchesterphotography.com.  

Chester attended naturalization ceremonies across the state to personally meet some of the hundreds of individuals who have become America's newest citizens and residents of the Bay State. Mark's long career has taken him across the Globe, with photographs that have appeared in Time, and Newsweek among a host of other national publications. He was the photographer for Charles Kuralt's book DatelineAmerica. For further information on the  exhibit, call the library at 508.520.4941.

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-pleased-be-sponsoring-bay-state-%C2%A0-multicultural 

Franklin Historical Museum opens new Davis Thayer exhibit - July 15

"Our new exhibit opens Thursday night! 

Come by the Museum Thursdays 5 - 7 PM, Saturdays 10 AM - 1 PM, and Sundays 1 - 4 PM to honor the students who attended the Davis Thayer School and the teachers who educated them for nearly a century. "

Visit our newly refurbished Gift Shop with many Franklin related items.  We welcome back our regular patrons and new visitors alike. 

Admission is always free and we are ADA compliant. 

We’re always looking for volunteers to host, so let us know if you are interested in joining our volunteer team that keeps Franklin history alive.

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

Shared from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRT88cGhZvP/

Franklin Historical Museum opens new Davis Thayer exhibit - July 15

"A Virtual Night Of The Arts" (video)

Did you miss viewing the "A Virtual Night Of The Arts" the exhibit of the Davis Thayer, Jefferson, and Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) student art work.  You can view on YouTube ->   https://youtu.be/foVLOZS5kJM

Thanks to Jamie Barrett for the link:    https://twitter.com/MusicWithMrJHB/status/1402624788984520707

Boston Camera Club: The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views

Experience The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views A 250-ft Long Photo Exhibition at Fan Pier

The Boston Camera Club invites the public to view 88 large-scale photographs displayed in a series along an entire city block at Fan Pier on the Public Green in Boston's Seaport District

Free and open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through November 2021

May 17, 2021 – BOSTON, MA – The Boston Camera Club this week announced The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views, an outdoor photography exhibition on the Public Green at Fan Pier in Boston's bustling Seaport District. Spanning an entire city block at Northern Avenue and Marina Park Drive, the photo banner exhibition will run from Memorial Day weekend through November 2021. 

For the first time in the club's history, the imagery of BCC members will be on display outdoors in an immersive exhibition featuring 88 images printed on a large-scale banner, 5-feet high and 250-feet long. One image from each participating member's submissions was selected, and expertly sequenced by curator Emily Belz. Each image speaks to the next by subject, color, composition or use of light to form a bridge, creating a compelling visual experience, honoring each individual's view as well as that of the collective whole.

"It's a joyful experience for me to curate connections between photographs, pulling out what are sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden, and sometimes even humorous, parallels between pictures," said Belz. "Indeed, in this installation each photographer presents a Unique View and a meaningful contribution to this collective public art project," she added.

This project has a companion website, www.BostonCameraClub.photos, featuring an artist statement from each photographer and creative contributions from community groups from across the greater Boston area, including: Actors' Shakespeare Project; Boston Latin Academy Photography Club; Boston Latin Academy 7th Grade English Language Arts class; Mission Hill Women's Writing Group; Never Too Late to be a Poet; Rehearsal for Life; and Zumix. Participants from these organizations contributed poems, prose, audio, video, and artwork in response to the exhibition's photographs. All viewers of the banner and website are encouraged to share their own reactions on social media using the hashtag #BCCPHOTOBANNER.

"The community partner collaborations enhance the viewing of the individual images as does the professional sequencing of photographs on the banner," said Boston Camera Club President Tom Hill, who noted that the project was entirely conceived and developed by club members. "Collaboration with these community groups has built bridges among artists of all ages who would not otherwise have had opportunities to connect within the greater-Boston community. The timing of the exhibition could not be better and will supplement the diversity of outdoor art in Boston at a time when residents, workers, and visitors are breaking out of their pandemic cocoons." 

The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views is generously funded by Tufts Medical Center, Blue Hour Photo Ventures and two anonymous gifts. The Boston Camera Club is especially thankful to the owners of Fan Pier for warmly welcoming the photo exhibition to the Public Green.

About the Boston Camera Club

Founded in 1881, the Boston Camera Club is dedicated to the advancement of photography as an art and a science. The club currently has over 150 members, ranging in experience from novice to professional, from all over the greater Boston metropolitan area. Meetings are held weekly and include photo competitions, critiques, educational lectures, and studio portrait sessions. Additionally, the club sponsors exhibitions, field trips to local points of interest, and special events and workshops led by well-known photographers. For more information on club activities and membership, visit www.bostoncameraclub.org or connect with the BCC on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

 

The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views 

FHS' Yihan Pu selected for National Art Honor Society exhibit

Massachusetts Art Education Association (@MassArtEd) tweeted on Sun, Mar 07, 2021:

Congratulations to Yihan Pu from Franklin High School. Their work was selected to be exhibited in the 2021 @NAEA National Art Honor Society exhibit. Shout out to NAHS Chapter Sponsor Amy Edson! #wickedsmART @FranklinHS https://t.co/nOMN5XSnQw

Shared from Tiwtter: https://twitter.com/MassArtEd/status/1368652790386618379

FHS' Yihan Pu selected for National Art Honor Society exhibit

Franklin Public Schools, MA: 3 FHS students' work selected for MAEA exhibit

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted on Mon, Mar 08, 2021:

So proud of the @FranklinHS students whose artwork was selected for the Massachusetts Amazing Emerging Artists HS Recognitions Exhibit! 

View the gallery of the exhibit: https://t.co/bgBUP9P6t1   or https://maearecognitions2021.artcall.org/pages/web-gallery?fbclid=IwAR3eTizfo8PNwrPitzBFsGCnEs8B2j5UU8q1Prpt0NMh5DDVlWmIw7Bhqcw

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/0ygUcPE23L  or https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1369016339965349899

3 FHS students' work selected for MAEA exhibit

3 FHS Student works selected for MAEA juried Recognitions Exhibit

"Three students from FHS were accepted into the MAEA juried Recognitions Exhibit: Kashish Singh, raku fired organic form; Millie Chalk, altered metallic teapot; and Katie Sawyer, a teapot set. 

Congratulations! We are all so proud of you! @FHSPantherbook @MassArtEd @FranklinHS  "

 

Shared by Brenna Johnson, (Art Educator at Franklin High School, Advisor of The Empty Bowls Club, Co-Advisor of NAHS, Supporter of all things Franklin): https://t.co/7ztmuSYfvm

 

Follow the link to Twitter for a more full size photo of each of the items
https://t.co/7ztmuSYfvm 

 

3 FHS Student works selected for MAEA juried Recognitions Exhibit

Franklin Historical Museum: new exhibit "Women in Franklin"

"We are excited to announce that our new exhibit, Women in Franklin, is now on display! Come visit the Museum on Sundays from 1-4 PM and learn about some of the amazing women who have devoted their lives to the Town!"

 

Shared from Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/p/CKoh7djhGK4/?igshid=150cw4plisusq

Franklin Historical Museum:  new exhibit "Women in Franklin"

Bellingham will get its visit Aug. 22-25, 2019

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A three-quarter scale replica of the huge and iconic national Vietnam Veterans Memorial will roll into town next August. 

“I’ve been wanting to do this for 20 years,” said Jim Hastings, who filed the application for the visit. 

The wall replica, managed and maintained by the same organization behind the original – the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund – stops in about 30 communities throughout the country each year. 

It’s called The Wall that Heals, and has been to more than 600 communities since its unveiling in 1996. The first version was built to half-scale of its Washington, D.C., counterpart, but the current model is 375 feet long, and 7.5 feet tall at its highest point."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181213/replica-of-vietnam-memorial-to-visit-bellingham

image from The Wall that Heals page

For more info on the wall please visit http://www.vvmf.org/twth

April vacation destination in our backyard: The Brown Sisters photos

As we enter April, a school vacation is coming up and perhaps you're looking for something to do. If you have ever been caught by the Brown Sisters photos, you can see them at the ICA in Boston through Apr 22. 

Nicholas Nixon is the photographer for the 40+ year series of the photos of his wife and her three sisters. More about Nicholas and his work follows:

"As an exhibition title, “Nicholas Nixon: Persistence of Vision” is almost self-explanatory. The show runs at the Institute of Contemporary Art through April 22. 

Nixon needs no introduction around here. For many years, he’s been one of the starriest names in what has long been a very starry photography faculty at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. And since his inclusion in the ground-breaking 1975 exhibition “New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-Altered Landscape,” Nixon has had a national, and eventually international, reputation for decades. 

So the Nicholas Nixon part of the title is clear enough. Ditto “persistence.” Nixon turned 70 in October, and the show’s 112 black-and-white images start in 1974 and extend to this year. In fact, there are two or three photographs for each year. The sole exception is 2017, which has just one image: the latest iteration of Nixon’s most famous body of work, “The Brown Sisters.” The series consists of an annual group portrait of Nixon’s wife and three sisters-in-law."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/art/2017/12/20/ica-the-brown-sisters-and-much-more-from-nicholas-nixon/F0iwbZKPYarh3X2mPPkb2H/story.html

April vacation destination in our backyard: The Brown Sisters photos

The ICA Exhibit   https://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/nicholas-nixon-persistence-vision

MOMA online contains 190+ of Nixon's photos
https://www.moma.org/artists/4315?locale=en

New Yorker link to Brown Sisters Photos
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/looking-at-nicholas-nixons-forty-third-portrait-of-the-brown-sisters

Reminder: Miniature Metal Artwork Exhibit opens Oct 2

A very special exhibit will open October 2nd at the Franklin Historical Museum. A personal collection of miniature metal artwork, hand crafted by Franklin born Abraham Megerdichian will be on display for the month of October. Megerdichian’s son Robert will open the exhibit with a presentation and talk about the history of his father’s work.

A selection of about 20 tiny recreations of everyday objects, made from brass, aluminum, stainless-steel and copper will be on display. A sampling of items for this exhibit include: a brass Asphalt Roller, a copper and steel Cannon with Cannonballs, an aluminum Inkwell with Feather Pen, a Flexible Flyer Sled and tiny brass Roller Skates.

miniature metal artwork 1

In his life time, the elder Megerdichian, a machinist by trade, made over 300 miniatures for family and friends as gifts for holidays and special occasions. Just a hobby to him at the time, his work is now being recognized as the intricate creative artwork that it is. It’s a labor of love by his son Robert to bring his father’s work out of storage and into the public eye.

Various pieces are currently being exhibited at The Attleboro Area Museum of Industry, The Science Museum in Boston, The Lynn Museum, the Providence Children’s Museum, and soon at Connecticut’s New Britain Industrial Museum. Robert approached the Franklin Historical Museum because of his father’s connection to Franklin.

miniature metal artwork 2

Abraham was born in Franklin in 1923 to Armenian Immigrants, but the family later moved to Cambridge where he was raised. The family kept close ties to Franklin and Abraham helped build Camp Haiastan, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Camp on Summer Street.

Robert Megerdichian’s presentation will cover his father’s craft, his artwork, his love of family, as well as an interesting history and anecdotal stories of Franklin’s Armenian Community.

miniature metal artwork 3

Join us for this very special event, 1:30PM, Sunday afternoon, October 2nd, 80 West Central Street, Franklin. 

Visit us on our Facebook page and our webpage franklinhistoricalmuseum.com. Admission is always free and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

Slavery in Franklin?

Slavery in Franklin? Records show that there were in fact men and women of color owned as property, not only in the South, but throughout New England and by prominent Franklin families in the late 1700's and early 1800's. 

Susan Elliott's informative exhibit, with details about slaves in our town is now on display at the museum. 

Learn about a man named Ceasar owned by the Pond family. Extensive research was done in preparation for this revealing exhibit.

image from Franklin Historical Museum Facebook page

The Franklin Historical Museum is open on Saturday from 10:00 to 1:00 and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. (In warmer months, it will also oopen On Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 8:00 PM)

For more information about the Historical Museum and its exhibts, you can vis them on the web   http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

or on Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038?fref=ts

The best visit is in person 80 West Central St

Franklin Historical Mueum on a sunny day

Norfolk Library: Trivets/Hot Plates Exhibit

On view in the Library foyer for the month of January will be a special exhibit of over 50 wooden Trivets/Hot Plates designed and built by Peter Mulliken of Franklin. 

Mr. Mulliken taught basic woodworking at the Dexter School in Brookline, MA for 41 years, retiring in 2012.

The trivets were an "end-of-term" project for those students who completed their major woodworking project ahead of schedule. They could choose from a wide selection of designs Peter had on hand or could make up one of their own. 

Project plans and drawings for some of the trivets will be on display in addition to basic woodworking reference books Peter found helpful while teaching the students.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, scout and 4-H leaders (and kids!) should plan on stopping by to view this fun exhibit.

screen grab of Norfolk Library home page

The Norfolk Library is located at 139 Main Street, Norfolk, MA 02056

30 wooden Piggy Banks - an exhibit at the Norfolk Public Library

On view in the Library foyer for the month of October will be a special exhibit of over 30 wooden Piggy Banks designed and built by Peter Mulliken of Franklin from 1984 through 2014. 

Example of Peter Mullikan wooden piggy bank

Mr. Mulliken taught basic woodworking at the Dexter School in Brookline, MA for 41 years, retiring in 2012.

Peter designed a different bank each year for his "new" second grade class. The piggy banks represent the planning, design and execution of the major woodworking project for the second grade students (ages 6-8) at the prestigious private school from 1984 through 2012.

Project plans and drawings for some of the banks will be on display in addition to basic woodworking reference books Peter found helpful while teaching the students.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, scout and 4-H leaders (and kids!) should plan on stopping by to view this fun exhibit.

 

2nd example of Peter Mullikan wooden piggy bank

Norfolk Public Library

For more information about the Norfolk Public Library, visit their webpage here
http://library.virtualnorfolk.org/

Art exhibit - Mar 9, 3:00 to 5:00 PM

Steve, 

good day, would you be willing to post this for the Woodshed Gallery? Many people don't know about it and it's a wonderful place to browse fine art, jewelry etc. My wife is Tina who just retired from the Franklin SchoolSystem as an art teacher. 

Thank you! 

Paul Guarino

Bruce Wood is the Gallery Director.

Woodshed Gallery

Where is the Wood shed Gallery?
1243 Pond St, Franklin

Exhibit Mar 9th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM


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