Franklin Historical Museum

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.

The Franklin Historical Museum was originally founded in 1972 as a way to collect and preserve the history of the Town of Franklin and moved to its current building in May of 2010. It houses a collection of approximately 4,000 objects dating from the last 300 years to the present, including furniture, paintings, textiles, agrarian tools, photographs, instruments, and historical documents. The building itself was constructed in 1842 and was the site of the original Town Hall.

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The programs and exhibitions of the FHM tell the stories of the Town with the aim of bolstering a greater understanding and endearing respect for its peoples and its history. The Museum’s programs are currently on hold due to COVID-19, but usually include a monthly Second Sunday Speaker Series, elementary school field trips, and participation in Town cultural festivals such as the annual Harvest Festival in early October. The permanent exhibits housed in the FHM include a timeline of Town history, a tribute to Town veterans, a Federal Parlor room based on the Town’s oldest home, and a timeline of the life of its most famous son, Horace Mann, who was born in Franklin in 1796. The FHM also creates temporary and revolving exhibits which have included Franklin Bridal Gowns, Military Uniforms Then and Now, A Tribute to Eddie Grant (Major League Baseball player born in Franklin who died a hero in World War I), Elections in Franklin, and most recently, Women in Franklin.