Historical Commission Activities

Stanley Chilson films of Franklin from 1935 through 1963 are available on videotape. A set at the library is available for loan. They are also available for viewing during museum visiting hours. Copies of these tapes may be made for individuals requesting them for the cost of the tape. Copies of all these movies have been made to DVDs with the cooperation of the Cable Advisory Committee and are also available for viewing.

People doing family histories frequently request information about past residents of Franklin and the resource documents available in the Historical Commission records are used to respond.

The Commission works with the Massachusetts Historical Commission to identify possible historical properties that may be impacted by local development and construction. Several requests from local builders and Realtors concerning the histories of residences listed on the inventory of older homes are made and answered.

Presentations about the history of Franklin are made to several groups including school programs, scouts and other civic organizations. Students from the Remington School have visited the museum for a special curriculum activity to learn about the history of Franklin.

The commission provides support including attendance at meetings, resource information, and innovative suggestions to the Department of Community Planning, the Cultural Economic Development Committee, and the Friends of the Town Common. A member of the Commission serves on the Downtown Partnership as an exoffico board member.

The Town Common Historic District is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places at the Department of Interior in Washington.

Over one hundred old time postcards showing views of Franklin in the first two decades of the past century were loaned to the Commission. These were scanned, enlarged and copies printed in a scrapbook that was placed in the museum for viewing by visitors. These were also placed on Franklin's Web site and can be seen on the Internet. Grateful comments have been received from former Franklin residents now living in other parts of the country.