The one photo is on the bottom right, of the “White Row” houses constructed for workers of the Winni River paper and pulp mills. The collection is now hanging in the meeting room of the Society for viewing.
To Betsy Davison for a digital collection of material about Robert Leach, prominent Webster Lake resident and son of a former Franklin mayor.
To Betty Arsenault for a half dozen Rotary Club banners, covering years of community service provided by that organization, now trying to breath more life into its Franklin chapter.
And lastly, to Tom Talbot (Easterseals) for an Orphanage ledger and ten framed historic images of the Webster Place property, for the Society to keep until the Veterans Campus is developed, so that they might once again be displayed in the buildings to ensure those using the property in the future are educated to its past.
Thanks again to all our donors, for their thoughtfulness, and their expressed desire to preserve Franklin’s history. Generations to come will certainly appreciate these efforts.
The society will be again participating in the annual Opera House Festival of Trees, December 1-3, at the Unitarian Church, with a small tree decorated with historic winter and Christmas images. The winner will also receive books, a year’s membership, and an insider’s tour of the Society’s building.
See you November 2nd!
Franklin Historical Society
November 2023
The Society was thinking of trying to clean the apron, but feared that damage or fading to the existing lettering may occur. Anyway, the dirt shows its historic usage, right?
To John Benham for a box of hard-cover 1900-1930 presentation copies of Franklin City Annual Reports, mostly given to Irving and Earl Goss, an 8 x 10 card mounted “mystery photo” of an unknown family on the porch of the 19th century home, a Republican Bridge trunnel (pin), two business calendars from the time when such items were prolifically distributed to promote the named business, a framed 8 x 10 color Seamons’ family reunion photo, an 1850 printed pamphlet “Correspondence between Mr. Webster and his New Hampshire neighbors”, a 4 x 6 presentation photo of Bessie Rowell, Concord RR stock certificates from 1851, 1866, and 1873 in the name of John Marstens, and a handwritten essay by Mary A. Rowell entitled “A Day at (crossed out and “on” substituted) Webster Lake, and a framed collection of one photo and multiple RPPC’s of various Franklin views (see below).
Current Newsletter
Society News
As so many leaves have yet to fall, there is still some color in the trees, but weather patterns are definitely changing. Despite the accepted definition of “Indian Summer” being a spate of warm days after the first frost, the forecast seems to indicate that the reverse was true this year. A recent string of several 60, even 70+ degree days, will now be followed by freezing nights possibly by mid week. The only predictability in the weather is its unpredictability. However, it is certain, now that a scheduling conflict has made the program originally planned for the November meeting unavailable, the Society will now present, by popular vote, “The Bridges of Franklin”. Chosen by the membership from three possibilities, the slideshow will reveal the history of some of those structures many do not realize are, or were, underneath or over, the roads or rivers. Be assured that the other two program choices will be part of next year’s programming, with the Society always accepting suggestions of additional interesting and educational offerings. The bridge presentation begins at 7 pm at the Society’s Webster Place museum at 21 Holy Cross Road, Thursday, November 2nd. All are welcome, there is no admission charge, and light refreshments will be offered after the talk and before the regular business meeting. With cooler temperatures, (but not freezing) prevailing, please be prepared for the meeting room to be only partially heated (space heater only), as the central heat source will probably not yet be active.
The November meeting is the last of the scheduled informational and business meetings of the season. The Holiday Potluck is only meant to be a social gathering for the enjoyment of members, family, and friends, with no business conducted. Start thinking now what you might wish to bring to fill out the menu! Turkey, potatoes, and punch are always provided by the Society. Everything else is up to the membership, with vegetable creations, appetizers, rolls and butter, and deserts left to the imagination of participants. Don’t forget, donations of non-perishable goods are also encouraged to support the local food pantry, to share our good fortune with those with fewer choices.
As with every newsletter, it behooves the Society to sincerely thank all those who continue to gift the most interesting and unexpected items to bolster our burgeoning collections. This month is no exception, with eternal gratitude extended to the following:
To Linda Pauwels for her monthly contribution of news articles of interest and a pre 1935 composition in booklet form by Hilda Mayor on “The Odyssey”.
To Annette Cain in combination with Gerry Gauthier for an 11 x 14 photo of the old Franklin High School, a 1986 report from Franklin Development, Inc. by Stuart Trachy, Newspaper photos of St. Mary’s School, An 8 x 10 photo of Franklin Fire Department personnel when Moise Mercier was Chief, a 1995 Centennial pin-back button and metal ashtray, with a Sesquicentennial pin-back button, a Franklin Rec Mountain Club patch, a 1993 Franklin Historical Society Annual Fair ticket, several 1983 Franklin Police Relief Association event tickets, a 1983 Real Estate Assessments booklet (a lot has changed since then!), and a NE T&T “Blue Book” phone numbers booklet.
To Frank Genus for several Forest Vale Real Photo Postcards, an 1887 Sanborn deed purchasing “what is known as the Bean lot” (anyone know where this might have been?) 25 acres for $1 an acre, a Mill City Park tile, and a well-used Kidder Lumber carpenter’s apron (see below).
Franklin Historical Society-- Franklin, New Hampshire