​​​2011 Meeting & Events
Sunday, December 4, 2011 - 4 pm - Thompson Hall
Holiday Season Dinner
As we have for so many years, Franklin Historical Society Members and Friends gathered at Thompson Hall in West Franklin to enjoy a Pot-Luck Holiday Season Dinner.
Everyone attending was asked to bring non-perishable food stuffs to be donated to the local food pantry, so that the spirit of the season be extended beyond the activities of the evening.

Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 7 pm - Webster/Tay House
The Victorians: A Morbid Case for Mourning
Even though Halloween had just ended, the effect of the holiday lingered,
and in that spirit, theFranklin Historical Society presented for its
November program The Victorians: A Morbid Case for Mourning. 
Linda Salatiello and Evelyn Auger from the Sanbornton Historical
Society appeared in Victorian dress to examine and explain the often
elaborate and macabre customs and rituals surrounding death during
most of the 19th century. They discussed everything you ever wanted
to know about the significance of mourning dress (made so popular
by Queen Victoria during her prolonged grief over her beloved Albert),
prints, jewelry, correspondence and burial practices in the Victorian era.
This lively and informative presentation shed light on the dark and
​sometimes avoided subject of death.

Thursday, October 6, 2011 - 7 pm - Webster/Tay House
General Meeting
Society members learned about what we're doing to scan and catalog our enormous collection of old photos, slides, and both film and glass negatives. We also discussed upcoming activities during the business portion of the meeting.

Thursday, September 1, 2011 - 7 pm - Webster/Tay House
Living at the NH Orphan's Home
The Society proudly presented Robert Abbott and his sister, Kay Lauzi to discuss "Living at the NH Orphan's Home" with pictures and anecdotes of their time in the buildings and on the grounds. The Home, once a refuge for parentless and homeless children, is an important part of the history of Elms Farm, and no one was better suited to tell that story than two who experienced it first hand.

Thursday, August 4, 2011 - 6:30 pm - Webster/Tay House
Annual Members Pot-Luck Supper

Saturday & Sunday, July 9 & 10, 2011
Work Weekend at the Webster/Tay House
On Saturday, beginning at 10 am, volunteers focused on grounds maintenance around the Webster/Tay House and on Sunday, moved inside to work on wall repair.

Thursday, July 7, 2011 - 7 pm - Webster/Tay House
The Society's Collections
The Society's Curators, Leigh Webb and Annette Andreozzi, talked about the focus and content of our collections and the cataloging process. A general meeting followed their presentation.

Monday, July 4, 2011 - 5 pm - Home of John Gile
July 4th Celebration
John Gile hosted a July 4th Get-Together at his home at 40 Gile Road, just off Prospect Street.

Thursday, June 2, 2011 - 7 pm - Webster/Tay House
The History of the Franklin Fire Department
Deputy Chief (Retired) Andrew Nadeau recounted his experiences researching and writing theHistory of the Franklin NH Fire Department 1830-2010. This new edition was published earlier this year. Books were available for purchase and for autographs by the author.

Saturday, May 14, 2011 - Downtown Franklin 

Community Day Parade and Celebration
Once again, the Franklin Historical Society participated in Community Day activities with a table at The Franklin Public Library. 
In addition to offering books, pins, magnets, and T-shirts, the Society introduced and offered for sale reprints of Echoes From the Mills by author Helen LaPlante Duchesne. 
Helen was on hand to talk about how she came to write the book and was available to sign copies.

Thursday, May 5, 2011 - 7 pm - Webster/Tay House
Sanborn Hall: The First Franklin Hospital
Betsy Woodman of Andover, New Hampshire offered an illustrated talk on “Sanborn Hall: The First Franklin Hospital”. As the great granddaughter of one of the Hospital's founding doctors, Betsy offered special insights into this important addition to the Franklin community of 1900.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 - 7 pm - Trip Center

Mystery Photos and Recent Additions to Our Collections


The Society's first meeting in 2011 featured a slide show of scanned photos of Franklin’s mills, some ever popular “mystery photos”, and representations of some exciting finds added to the Society’s Collections. The business portion of the meeting was dedicated to nominations to the board and of officers for 2011-2012, updating committee assignments and responsibilities, possible changes to the by-laws, and setting dates for building maintenance and work parties. This meeting was held in the TRIP Center, 30 Canal St., Franklin

Franklin Historical Society-- Franklin, New Hampshire

2023 Schedule of Events

Meetings will be held the first Thursday of the month, with masks and social spacing on a volunteer basis.

“Open Hours” at the Webster/Tay Museum began on Saturday, May 27th 10 am to 2 pm,
and continue every Saturday, to run through all three days of Labor Day Weekend.

All events are subject to change. Please consult the Society’s Website (www.franklinnhhistoricalsociety.org) for the most up-to-date information

April 6th, 7 pm, Webster/Tay: “The History of the Kearsage Mountain Boys” with John Benham

May 4th, 7 pm, Webster/Tay: “Plans for the Webster Birthplace Sate Park” with Randy Kovach and Matt Flanders

Saturday, May 13th, Community Day: at Odell Park, volunteers needed to be at the Society’s table from 10 am to 3 pm (setup between 8 am and 10 am)

Saturday, May 27th: Museum at Webster Place reopens for regular visiting hours, 10 am to 2 pm. SMALL GROUPS ONLY, and masks will be voluntary (the Society will have some on hand)

Monday, May 29th Memorial Day: Official Dedication of the Martin Memorial Exhibit, 11 am, on the front lawn Webster/Tay Museum, moving to the Military Service Display Room after

June 1st, 7 pm, Webster/Tay: “The Life of Daniel Webster” slideshow and discussion, with Leigh Webb

SUNDAY, June 25th: The Society’s 8th Annual Plant Sale at Webster Place, 10 am to 1 pm.
Information sheet, with pre-order form, posted on the Society website and Facebook page.

No meeting in July

August 3rd 7 pm, Webster/Tay: "Then and Now"

September 7th, 7 pm, Webster/Tay: “Franklin Public Library Collections” with Library Director Rob Sargent

Labor Day Weekend, September 2nd-4th: Historical Society Museum Open House, 10 am to 2 pm, all three days. Volunteers needed to be docents.

October 5th, 7 pm, Webster/Tay: “Gone” slideshow of buildings lost, or currently condemned to be razed

November 2nd, 7 pm, Webster/Tay : “The Story Behind Franklin’s First Day Celebration on the Winnepesaukee River” with Ken Norton, Marty Parichand *

Sunday, December 10th (tentative): The Annual Pot-luck Christmas Dinner, for members and friends of the Society, Thompson Hall, 4-7 pm