Overview
It’s been a great year at the Franklin Historical Museum! And, while we have missed the public these last few months while our doors have been closed due to COVID- 19, we have been using these unprecedented times to plan ahead. We have had many successes and look forward to many more to come in the future. These include a new collections policy, successful application for a SHRAB grant, organization of dozens of collections up to professional standards, increased outreach through social media engagement, and the creation of a COVID-19 Archive Project.
Our Mission
The Franklin Historical Museum collects, preserves, and provides access to materials connected to the vibrant history of the Town of Franklin. Through its archives and various collection materials, the FHM seeks to create a greater appreciation for the people and events that came before it and cultivate an understanding that knowledge of the past brings about a better tomorrow.
Collections Policy
The new collections policy for the Museum is complete with forms and procedures that adhere to professional standards in the museum and archives world. These include a collections policy, a deaccession policy, mission and vision statements, a disaster management plan, donation procedures, a new deed of gift form, processing plan and finding aid templates, and details about the cataloging system which is being employed at the Museum.
SHRAB Preservation Grant
This year the Museum successfully applied for a preservation grant through the Massachusetts State Historic Records Advisory Board which enabled us to purchase proper storage materials for the Museum’s subject file collection. Thus far, ten linear feet of materials have been placed in archival quality folders and boxes thanks to the funds provided by the grant.
Museum Collections
This year has mostly been focused on processing the collections materials housed in the Museum and transforming the piles of collections and archives materials into various collections which can be used by researchers and staff and writing user-friendly finding aids so that they can find what they are looking for. This means working one box, one cabinet at a time, opening it up, seeing what is in there and figuring out what it needs and where it belongs. Thus far, over one hundred and fifty linear feet of materials have been fully processed and catalogued including books, postcards, sheet music, photographs, scrapbooks, letters, pamphlets, and various documents.
Social Media
Our social media accounts are dedicated to sharing vibrant stories from Franklin’s past as well as promoting virtual learning opportunities for all ages. To learn more about the history of the Town and how it relates to the world around you, follow us on Facebook and Instagram today!
Facebook: Franklin Historical Museum
Instagram: @franklinhistoricalmuseum
COVID-19 Archive Project
The Franklin Historical Museum has been hard at work finding ways to preserve the historic event we are currently living through and we need your help! What has quarantine been like? What have you done to stay connected to friends and family during these times? Have you learned any new skills? What do you most want future generations to take away from this moment in history? Future researchers will appreciate the time you took to answer these questions as they study what happened and how humanity bonded together to survive the unthinkable.
To share your stories with the Franklin Historical Museum COVID-19 Archive Project, follow the link on our Instagram page (@franklinhistoricalmuseum) or email rfinnigan@franklinma.gov and we will send you a link to our survey. Thank you for your stories!
In Conclusion
I would like to thank everyone who has helped further the mission of the Museum, from donors to volunteers to visitors coming in off the street. We are here to serve you and, with your continued support, hope to continue to bolster community engagement as we work to create a safe space for learning and research.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Finnigan, Archivist
Prior Annual Reports can be found online
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| Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Historical Museum |
