The Franklin Historical Museum has a treasure trove historical artifacts and resources to conduct local history research. Please come by the museum and use the resources in our library to aid in your research. Below are some resources you can utilize to start your local history research. Good luck!
- Guide to Researching the History of a House
- Researching and Writing Local History
- https://archive.org/details/residentbusiness1905hopk
I am looking for any records of Overseers of the Poor during the period 1820 to 1850. Also any tax records during this period. Would they be at the Town Hall?
Hi Andrew, thanks for your query. You can reach out to the Treasurer/Collector’s office at 508-520-4950. They will be able to help you.
Is your museum open to the public at all times during operation hours? I am from Wisconsin and would like to plan a trip to do some research on family born in Franklin in the 1800’s. Who would i contact to plan my trip? Thank you!
Joan, the museum is open Saturdays 10am-1pm; Sundays 1pm-4pm and Thursdays 5pm-8pm. (We are closed Thursday evenings during winter months) Feel free to stop in any time during normal business hours. We are open to the public and free of charge. If you have specific dates that you are traveling, let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Your Exhibit on Horace Mann seems very interesting. I am conducting research for a National History Day project and am wondering if you have any vital information for a biography about Horace Mann and his legacy, Thanks.
I would like to write a poem about a church that once stood on the corner of Main and School Street opposite the Franklin Library. It was demolished in the summer of 1967. Do you know anything about that church? It’s denomination?
It was demolished to make room for the Dean College library.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Jeff
Hello Jeffrey, it was the Grace Universalist Church and it was a beautiful building and such a shame that it is gone. From what I know Dean Academy was founded by Dr. Oliver Dean and he also established the Universalist Church. The First Universalist Society is still in existence in Franklin and they may have information that may be helpful to you.
Do you hold copies of yearbooks from Franklin High School? Looking for years 1930-1936.
Yes, we have many years and I believe if not all during that time period, then at least most, possibly missing 1930, but I’ll double check.
I am researching the Bernard S. McManus family that lived and farmed in Franklin from 1879-1924. In particular trying to locate his naturalization papers which would have happened before 1910. Do you know if naturalization records of that time are held by the county or state? Thank you for any leads you can provide.
Hello Karen, the best I can suggest is to check online. We do not have those documents at the museum. Sorry