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Franklin - Local Town Pages

Historic Happenings at Franklin Historical Museum for October 2024

Sat. Oct.5 – Display begins honoring the 90th anniversary of Franklin Rod & Gun Club
Local historian, Betsey Whitney (see our Second Sunday Speaker, below), worked with the R&G Club to assemble exhibits of photos and memorabilia relating to the history of this organization. Also included will be an ongoing showing of vintage R & G films recently rediscovered and digitized. Display will continue through Oct. 27.
Sat. Oct 5 – Celebrate Archaeology at F. Gilbert Hills State Forest with Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation
Last year, for Archaeology Month, DCR came to Franklin and led an exploration of the former CCC Camp in Franklin State Forest. This year, we are encouraging those interested in something similar to join DCR in Foxborough!
• Where: F. Gilbert Hills State Forest Headquarters, Mill Street, Foxborough
• When: Saturday October 5, 2024, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Inclement weather will cancel
• What: Learn about Archaeology and the history of F.G. Hills. See DCR’s archaeological collection from F.G. Hills and participate in hands-on archaeology activities.
• Who: Everyone is welcome. The event is free. Anyone from Franklin interested in carpooling, contact [email protected]
Sun. Oct. 13 – Second Sunday Speaker Series: 90 Years of the Franklin Rod & Gun Club
Local historian Betsey Whitney (who wrote a massive history of the Pondville section of Norfolk) will be speaking about the people and activities of the Franklin Rod & Gun Club since its inception in 1934 on Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St., Franklin. Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15. The formal presentation will be about 20 minutes but members, former members, and those with any connection to the The event is FREE, but donations welcome. The related exhibit of R&G photos and ephemera is on display through Oct. 27.
Weds. Oct 16 – Ghosts and Legends with Jeff Belanger at the Franklin Historical Museum
LIVE and IN-PERSON! This ghostly multi-media program will take you on a journey through the haunts in your backyard, and around the world. Pulling from Jeff’s 25 years of research for his books, podcasts, adventures, and the various television shows he’s worked on, join one of the nation’s premiere storytellers for a trip through the unusual and the unexplained. This program changes every time it’s given. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. Seating limited. The event starts at 7 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 20  – “Third Sunday” Music at the Museum program features Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter
The world premiere of ‘Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter’, a chamber orchestra, was performed in June by a mixed ensemble of professionals and amateurs, with financial support from the Franklin Cultural District Committee, at the First Universalist Society, Franklin. On Oct. 20, the museum will show a video of that performance on the big screen. The opera was the brainchild of Franklin resident Dr. Jon Ceander Mitchell, a retired music professor and orchestral conductor, who will be present to introduce the showing and answer questions. The opera tells the story of self-educated 19th century Englishwoman, Mary Anning, who became one of the world’s first paleontologists.  The museum opens at 1 and the program will start at about 1:15. The event is FREE, but donations always welcomed.
`CINEMA 80’
Cinema 80, captained by videographer and cinephile Chris Leverone, is back for another season of amazing free `Silent Saturday’ silent film entertainment on Saturdays at 6 p.m. The program is free, but donations are encouraged.  The lineup for October includes:
• 10/5, The Black Pirate – Starring that sure-fire action-hero, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., in a tale of pirates, vengeance, and love...
• 10/12, The General – Buster Keaton outdoes himself with non-stop action and comedy, loosely based on a real incident in the American Civil War. It has insane chase scenes involving lots of trains, horses, and soldiers and timings that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. 
• 10/26, Nosferatu – a timeless classic that tells the tale of a vampire in extra-creepy black and white.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 1-4 p.m..
When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Questions? Contact Alan Earls at (508) 560 3786.