Franklin Historical Society-- Franklin, New Hampshire
Franklin Historical Society
June 2026
Mother Nature can be very fickle, and no matter how many weather satellites circle this planet or sophisticated equipment is mounted on earthbound vehicles, reliably predicting storms always comes down to instincts. Such was the case with this year’s Community Day (forcing a cancellation of the Society’s presence) and a rescheduling of the Annual Plant Sale. Postponing until the next day, Sunday, seemed the wisest course, and ultimately worked out well. While Saturday dawned very wet and uncomfortable, Sunday’s morning and early afternoon were dry and pleasant, with the only rain, preceded by gusty winds, came after the sale was over and everything was packed up. A huge outreach of gratitude must be expressed to all those who donated material, helped out on the day, or did both: Linda Stronge, Elizabeth Jewell, Maggie Lohmann, Frank Genus, Karen Darling, Dan Darling, Rob Desrochers, Jr., Kathy Fuller, Annette Andreozzi, Laurie Jorden, Glenn Morrill, Lisa Martin, David Liberatore, John Ciriello, the Franklin Junior Youth Group, Annie Lund, Sandra Burney, Vanessa Hollis, Emily Hollis, Rafaella Ramirez Guerrero, and Brian Mank (Regal sign). THANK YOU! Along with the fore going’s Herculean effort, a sizeable monetary donation, and a very large individual purchase, the event’s success was guaranteed. Enough was collected to pay for at least two refills of the Society’s propane tanks (unless there is an insane hike in prices!) once the temperatures plummet later in the year.
And speaking of thanking people for their volunteer efforts, many may have noticed the vinyl fencing now masking the propane tanks and barriers from view while passing by on Holy Cross Road. Without Rob Desrochers, Jr’s aid, the culmination of that project would not have been possible.
On Thursday, June 4th at 7 pm, Chris Lewis will present at the Society the History of Franklin’s High Schools, to honor the 150th anniversary of the first high school, built in 1876, and in keeping with the celebrations planned for this year’s Class Day, June 11th. On that day (a Thursday), the Society’s museum will be open from 10 am to noon, for any alumni and friends to peruse the exhibits featuring FHS memorabilia (much of it donated by Kathy Fuller). The regular monthly meeting is free, open to all, and will include the Society’s monthly business meeting to which all are invited.
The QR “History Walk” program form the Society’s Education Committee continues to expand, with the addition of a weather-proof cabinet installed on the High School sign. Thank you to Facilities Director Steve Nelson and Scott Easter, pictured below.
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A second cabinet, featuring QR codes relative to West Franklin, will be up soon.
“Open Saturdays” continue, with the Society’s museum open to visitation from 10 am to 2 pm every Saturday through Labor Day Weekend. This past Saturday had several visitors engaged in lively conversations, resulting in considerable learning about the area’s history.
With increased visitations, also comes the possibility of more donations, and this past month provided a cornucopia of items from the following, acknowledging their gifts with thanks:
From the Laconia Historical Society, another box of photos and negatives from the St. Louis Photography Studio;
from Charles Hussman of Tilton, two large pieces of mica, reminding us of the value of that material during WWII for use in vacuum tubes, and that a mica shop once occupied the old Armory during the 1950s;
from Kathy Fuller, a copy of C.C. Paige’s book “My Experiences in the Civil War”, a 2000 calendar from the Franklin Savings bank with replications of vintage photographs of Franklin an surrounding communities, and a copy of a photo of the Weglarz family, highlighting the multi-generational connection to the Franklin High School (a connection that Kathy’s family, the Gilchrists, also share);
from Dennis Ordway (through Scott Clarenbach) a view of the Needle Factory on N. Main from the south side not seen before, including (if you look carefully) the brook from which the factory derived a share of its power;
from Ben Hume (through our FaceBook page and Frank Genus) a large Giles Dairy milk can, found in the woods (and very weathered with a coating of rust);
from Elizabeth Jewell, copies of three of the various spaces in the IOOF building being offered as condominiums, as another chapter in the history of this fabled building;
from Dave Liberatore, two copies of the map of the Webster Place Cemetery (to be used for tours of the sacred grounds, when day trips can be organized with Franklin Schools);
and from Leo Paquin, a cap from the precursor of the fully inclusive American Legion, rescued from the trash, an Auxiliary of an organization comprised of Soldiers from WWI.
Thanks to everyone, on this list and those in the future, who believe pieces of our collective pasts are worth saving.