Second Sunday Speaker at Franklin Historical Museum to Talk Bridal Fashion - Karen “Ren” Antonowicz - July 14

Karen “Ren” Antonowicz

Sunday, July 14, the Franklin Historical Museum will be offering a conversation on bridal fashion with Karen “Ren” Antonowicz, a popular speaker and fashion expert who has presented at the museum before. Much of her presentation will refer to the large collection of bridal gowns on display at the museum through Aug. 4. 

Antonowicz received her Master’s Degree in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design, with a concentration in Historic Costume & Textiles from the University of RI.  She then taught History of Fashion and other courses full time at the college level for 13 years, and taught part time in the CE Program at the RI School of Design.

In the meantime, Ren and her husband, Mike, opened Nostalgia Antiques & Collectibles, a 3-floor co-op located on historic Wickenden St. in Providence, RI and ran the business for five years.

Doors open at 1:00 PM and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

 

The gift shop is open during regular museum hours, Saturday mornings 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Sunday afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Come in and find your history.

Second Sunday Speaker Series: Joe Landry & Scott Mason (video)

Want to catch up to the Second Sunday Speaker Series featuring Joe Landry & Scott Mason? Thanks to Franklin TV, you can.

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAfa7Z5v8XM

Ben Franklin Book Week: Vera Meyer - Glass Harmonica (video)

Want to catch up to the Vera Meyer glass harmonic performance from Ben Franklin's book Week? Thanks to Franklin TV, you can.

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24tz4q1n8hg

Second Sunday Speaker provides insights on the Parachute Dress at the Historical Museum

The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the museum continues on June 9, 2024 with a focus on our famous Parachute Dress – a wedding dress made from a World War II parachute with a spectacular 15-foot train.  

 

Historical Commission Chair Alan Earls will talk about the social history and wartime pressures that brought tens of thousands of parachutes into service for the military, some of which eventually found their way back into the civilian economy. 

 

Doors open at 1:00 PM and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

 

The gift shop is open during regular museum hours, Saturday mornings 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Sunday afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Come in and find your history.

 

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St

 

Something Old and Something New at Franklin Historical Museum!

This summer, the Franklin Historical Museum welcomes the return of the Bridal Gown Exhibit, Something Old and Something New! 

 

Bridal Gown Exhibit

See gowns worn by Franklin brides in a range of fashions throughout the decades, from the late 1800s right up to the 2000s. Each gown carries with it a unique story, preserving the hopes and dreams of each bride on her special day for generations to come. Our 2024 exhibit features the highly requested 1946 parachute dress with the amazing 15-foot train, constructed of Japanese parachute silk.

Don't miss our ribbon-cutting ceremony this Saturday, June 1 at 2:30 PM by two fashionably attired “flower girls” and the string section of the MetroWest Symphony Orchestra (MSO) ‘belting out’ Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. The exhibit opening is in coordination with Franklin’s first ever PorchFest in which MSO and two other performers will be sharing the museum porch. The museum will be open special hours, from 10 AM to 6 PM and PorchFest runs from noon to 6.

And the fun continues through Sunday, August 4 during regular museum hours, Saturdays 10 to 1 and Sundays 1 to 4.

Bridal Exhibit Speakers in June and July

• The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the museum continues on June 9, 2024 with a focus on our famous Parachute Dress – a wedding dress made from a World War II parachute with a spectacular 15-foot train.  Historical Commission Chair Alan Earls will talk about the social history and wartime pressures that brought tens of thousands of parachutes into service for the military, some of which eventually found their way back into the civilian economy. Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE
• The July Second Sunday Speaker, July, 2024 will be fashion expert, Ren (Karen) Antonowicz is from Spirits of Fashion, discussing some of the styles and details of dresses on display as well as the broader trends they represented. Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

Watch the museum website for updates and future programs. Questions? Email commission chair Alan Earls alan.r.earls@gmail.com

Historical Museum is ready for the PorchFest Saturday, June 1 (video)

Alan Earls sat recently in the FranklinTV Studio with Frank Falvey and I to talk about the upcoming Franklin PorchFest scheduled for Saturday, June 1

Scheduled to perform at the Museum:

12:00 - 1:00 Jamie Barrett

2:00  - 3:00 Metrowest Symphony ensemble

4:00  - 6:00 Late Night Idle

The full schedule or performers and porches can be found ->   https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#schedule

Announcing the `Textile Team’ at the Franklin Historical Museum!

Textile Team

Interested in textile arts, social history, fashion? Or, do you have skills related to sewing, knitting, etc.? Have fun and make a difference as part of the new Franklin Historical Museum “Textile Team.”  

Following the lead of other small museums, we are working to organize and train a group of people to work on creating exhibits (such as the Bridal Exhibit) and also apply appropriate techniques to display, stabilize, or repair garments, uniforms, and other textiles in the museum collection. 

The team might also perform some research tasks or seek grants as appropriate in consultation with the museum archivist and the Historical CommissionHistorical Commission.

For more information, contact Chair, Alan Earls alan.r.earls@gmail.com

Silent Saturdays: "The Lost Battalion" - May 25 at 6:00 PM

Silent Saturdays start at 6 PM on the Saturdays of May. Chris Leverone, a videographer and graphics artist from Franklin, has directed promotional and fundraising videos, and is currently a producer at Franklin TV. He developed this program of films in cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center.

May 25 – "The Lost Battalion"

• May 25 – "The Lost Battalion" 

-- a 1919 American silent war film about units of the 77th Infantry Division (the "Lost Battalion") penetrating deep into the Argonne Forest of France during World War I. The film was directed by Burton L. King and features Major Charles W. Whittlesey and a number of actual soldiers from the 77th who portrayed themselves in the film. It was released July 2, 1919 in North America. The film was remade in 2001 by Russell Mulcahy

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons from 1 PM - 4 PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Check their current needs listing here ->   https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/

Visit the Museum online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com 

Memorial Day weekend special events at the Historical Museum

In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, the museum will be showing film and videos related to local veterans during regular hours, Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM.  

There will also be a small informational display about the Army Air Corps pilot killed in a training incident in Franklin in 1943. 

On Monday, May 27. the museum will also have special hours. Watch the website for updates.

If you haven't already had the chance, visit the museum, located in downtown Franklin. The museum is open Saturdays 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM; Sundays 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.   

Handicap access is available at the back of the building.  

Come by and discover Franklin's history, where our story began.

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

Silent Saturdays: "The Sheik" - May 18 at 6:00 PM

Silent Saturdays start at 6 PM on the Saturdays of May: Chris Leverone, a videographer and graphics artist from Franklin, has directed promotional and fundraising videos, and is currently a producer at Franklin TV. He developed this program of films in cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center.

• May 18 – The Sheik, a 1921 American silent romantic drama film produced by Famous Players–Lasky, directed by George Melford, and starring Rudolph Valentino. It was the film that made Valentino a national heart throb and box office smash.  

By Paramount Pictures - Screenshot from www.silentgents.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7791996

The film relies heavily on exoticism – the culture and people of Arab North Africa – to add interest to what remains largely a story of desires and mores. IMDB summarizes the film as follows: A charming Arabian sheik becomes infatuated with an adventurous, modern-thinking Englishwoman and abducts her to his home in the Saharan desert. (approximately 80 minutes)

The Sheik had enormous influence on popular culture at the time and for decades after.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons from 1 PM - 4 PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Check their current needs listing here ->   https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/

Visit the Museum online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com 

Historical Museum extends hours, shows Dean's 1965 Centennial Film on May 18

Dean History is Franklin History!

Once again, in coordination with Dean College Commencement, Saturday, May 18, the Franklin Historical Museum will be opening its doors for extended hours to welcome the Dean community and the public and to share our local treasures.

In addition to artifacts and displays about Franklin, education pioneer Horace Mann, and other aspects of local culture, the museum will be showing throughout the day, films that include a 1965 Dean Centennial Film as well as a Dean College "Broadway sampler" featuring performances of well-known popular songs performed at a variety of campus locations.

And, of course, there will be artifacts to examine, ranging from athletic regalia and graduation gear to historic news clippings, photographs, athletic programs, and more.

For this event, the Franklin Historical Museum is open from 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, May 18 and regular hours resume on Sunday, May 19, when the museum is open from 1 to 4 PM. The museum is located at 80 West Central St.

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

Exquisite ‘glass negative’ images to be shared at Historical Museum, Sunday at 1:15 PM

The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the museum continues on May 12, 2024 with an intimate look at Franklin early in the 20th century through the exquisite ‘glass negative’ images of homes, businesses and people taken between about 1910 and 1920. 

Historical Commission Vice Chair Mary Olsson will be your tour guide to yesteryear. 

Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

If you haven't already had the chance, visit the museum, located in downtown Franklin. The museum is open Saturdays 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM; Sundays 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.   

Handicap access is available at the back of the building.  

Come by and discover Franklin's history, where our story began.

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

Silent Saturdays: Short Films from Oz - May 11 at 6:00 PM

Silent Saturdays start at 6 PM on the Saturdays of May: Chris Leverone, a videographer and graphics artist from Franklin, has directed promotional and fundraising videos, and is currently a producer at Franklin TV. He developed this program of films in cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center.

L. Frank Baum

• May 11 – Short Films from Oz 

- a collection of short films produced by L. Frank Baum in the 1910s, based on his own famous 1900 children’s book, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

 

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons from 1 PM - 4 PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Check their current needs listing here ->   https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/

Visit the Museum online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com 

Reminder: This Old Thing? - An Antique Appraisal Adventure with Jim Johnston - May 5

Who hasn’t been intrigued by something old... and who hasn’t stopped to wonder, ‘what’s it worth’?  

On Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM, local expert, James C. “Jim” Johnston, will dazzle and inform the audience and those seeking knowledge about family heirlooms and garage sale finds alike with An Antique Appraisal Adventure with Jim Johnston.

An Antique Appraisal Adventure 1

Johnston, who has been in the antique and appraisal business for more than six decades, has a nearly limitless store of knowledge about all things old, with particular emphasis on Americana, Porcelain, Glass, Rare Books, Coins, Stamps and Pottery. His appraisals often come with the kind of fascinating context and anecdotes that make him – a lifelong educator and author -- much sought after, whether to please an auditorium audience or for the evaluation of a private collection.

Appraisals are ‘on-the-spot’ and oral and are $5 for the first appraisal and $3 for additional items, up to an event maximum of three items and $11.  The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum, a 501(c) 3 non-profit that raises funds to benefit the Historical Museum. All proceeds benefit the museum. 

The Friends can accept cash or check.  There will also be an option to “watch at home” via Google Meets. To learn about payment options, how to participate virtually, or to reserve a contact alan.r.earls@gmail.com. Handicapped Access Available.

An Antique Appraisal Adventure 2

Mr. Johnston will preface the appraisal-day program with a discussion of what constitutes “Value”, or more appropriately “Range of Value”, when appraising an item of any sort. He will also discuss various factors reflected in an evaluation such as: the sociological factors, condition issues, rarity, and Adam Smith’s Rule of Supply and Demand as it effects the value of art, antiques, and collectibles in any time period. 

He will also discuss “Purpose” of evaluation such as: probate, inheritance, divorce, and insurance, as well as insurance evaluation and replacement value, with the idea of choosing a fearless appraiser with experience in dealing with insurance companies, and with “Court Experience” and experience in delivering “Expert Testimony.”

Mr. Johnston performs written appraisals by arrangement, starting at $125. 

Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central St, downtown Franklin, near the fire station. You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at

http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/   

Silent Saturdays: "Wings" - May 4 at 6:00 PM

Silent Saturdays start at 6 PM on the Saturdays of the May: Chris Leverone, a videographer and graphics artist from Franklin, has directed promotional and fundraising videos, and is currently a producer at Franklin TV. He developed this program of films in cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center.

• May 4 -- Wings, a 1927 WWI epic, and the first Oscar winner for Best Picture.

"Wings" - May 4 at 6:00 PM

A romantic action-war picture, starring Clara Bow, Paramount's biggest star at the time. The film was shot on location on a budget of $2 million (equivalent to $34.42 million in 2023) at Kelly Field in San Antonio. Hundreds of extras and some 300 pilots were involved in the filming, including pilots and planes of the United States Army Air Corps.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons from 1 PM - 4 PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Check their current needs listing here ->   https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/

Visit the Museum online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com 

What's happening Sunday, April 28, 2024?

Sunday, April 28

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Armenian Genocide: history from a primary source

3:00pm Chaminade Club - Community Concert

What's happening Saturday, April 27, 2024?

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

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:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

What's happening Saturday, April 27, 2024?

Saturday, April 27

9:00am - DEA Medication "take back" day (SAFE Coalition)

9:00am - Earth Day - Clean Up (Beaver Pond)

9:00am - Stephen Green First Lego League Explore Showcase (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am - Celebrate Earth Day (DelCarte Open Space)

10:00am - Roll, Stroll, Seed (Sculpture Park)

10:30am - Rough Sleepers Community Discussion (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am - Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals: A Stuffed Animal Storytime (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm - Silent Saturdays: "Ravished Armenia" (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm - South Street Six (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm - Electric Youth & Future Shock (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm - Garnet Rogers (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

What's happening Saturday, April 27, 2024?

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

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:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Reminder: Special Programs in honor of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day at the Historical Museum - Apr 27 & 28

April 27 & 28 Special Programs in honor of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24), which marks the beginning of the organized killing of Armenians within the Ottoman empire in 1915. This event was responsible for many survivors fleeing to America, many of whom established a vibrant local community in Franklin, including Camp Haiastan, still located on Summer St.

Saturday, April 27 – During regular museum hours, we expect to share items from Franklin’s Armenian past as well as short films about the Armenian Genocide plus the Silent Saturday showing of Ravished Armenia.

Ravished Armenia

Sunday April 28 - Franklin’s Mark Minichelli will discuss the history of the genocide and the local community and will share video of his grandmother, Helen Boghosian, a genocide survivor who lived most of her life in Franklin.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM. 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 the Franklin Historical Museum online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com

Key events for Thursday, April 25, 2024

A Dream Shared - an art exhibit & talk back 

When:  April 25, 2024 from 4 to 6 PM

Where: Franklin Historical Museum

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/a-dream-shared-art-exhibit-talk-back-on.html

Should be a good event with art and conversation about art, a great way for me to begin my evening of reporting

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee Meeting 

April 25 at 5 PM

Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/fps-comprehensive-facilities-planning.html

What is this latest redistricting effort going to bring forward? This may be the preview for the subcommittee before the School Committee gets to see it. Kinda a sneak peak! We should at least find out find out where they are in the process.

Franklin, MA: School Committee Special Meeting 

April 25, 2024 - 6:30-7:30 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/franklin-ma-school-committee-special.html

Yes, a special committee meeting to interview the next school business administrator. Folks should recall that Miriam Goodman retired last year. Dr Bob Dutch has stepped in for this year. The meeting will help determine the next individual to fill this critical role.

BT/ALC Big Band at Franklin High School (free concert)

WHEN: Thursday, April 25 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

WHERE: Franklin High School Auditorium

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/franklin-public-schools-to-host-btalc.html

Funded by the Franklin Cultural Council and MASS Cultural Council, a great way to close the day with some big band and jazz sounds

Key events for Thursday, April 25, 2024

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

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:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)