Old Things Appraised: James C. Johnston is Museum Headliner for May

Above, Historian and Antique Appraiser, Jim Johnston, will bring an Antique Roadshow-like experience to Franklin May 5 from 1-5 pm

May at the Franklin Historical Museum starts off with an exciting weekend of birthdays (Horace Mann’s), film, and then a lively Antique Appraisal event. And the rest of the month has plenty more to help you swing into spring.

Horace Mann Birthday Celebration – Sat. May. 4

An annual tradition at the Franklin Historical Museum is a celebration of the birthday or Franklin-born Horace Mann – a key figure in 19th
century reform movements, including abolition, and as the architect of America’s public education movement. On Saturday May 4, during our regular 10-1 hours, we will be showing a short classic documentary about Horace Mann.

THIS OLD THING? -An Antique Appraisal Adventure – Sun. May 5

Sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St., Sunday from 1-5, the museum is dedicated to a fun, educational, and informative antique appraisal event with James C. “Jim” Johnston, who has been in the antique and appraisal business for more than six decades and has a nearly limitless store of knowledge about all things old, with particular emphasis on Americana, Porcelain, Glass, Rare Books, Coins, Stamps and Pottery. His appraisals often come with the kind of fascinating context and anecdotes that make him much sought after, either to please an audience or to evaluate a private collection. Appraisals are ‘on-the-spot’ and oral and are $5 for the first appraisal and $3 for additional items, up to a maximum of three items and $11. Jim will open with a brief introduction about antiques and appraising.

The Second Sunday Speaker Series – Sun, May 12

The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the museum continues on May 12, 2024 with an intimate look at Franklin early in the 20th century through the exquisite ‘glass negative’ images of homes, businesses and people taken between about 1910 and 1920. Historical Commission Vice Chair Mary Olsson will be your tour guide to yesteryear. Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

Dean College Commencement Exhibit and Hours – Sat. May 18

In honor of Commencement Day at Dean College, the museum is hosting a small exhibit of memorabilia and continuous showings of Dean’s 1965 Centennial film (with lots of shots of mid-century Franklin) throughout the day. Hours are extended from 9 am to 3 pm.

Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-27

In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, the museum will be showing film and videos related to local veterans during regular hours, Satu 10-1 and Sun 1-4. There will also be a small informational display about the Army Air Corps pilot killed in a training incident in Franklin in 1943. On Monday, May 27. the museum will also have special hours. Watch the website for updates.

`Cinema 80’ Films in the ‘Silent Saturday’ Series Continue (Free)

Silent Saturdays start at 6 pm on four Saturdays of the month: Chris. Leverone, a videographer and graphics artist from Franklin, has directed promotional and fundraising videos, and is currently a producer at Franklin TV. He developed this program of films in cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center.

• May 4 -- Wings, a 1927 WWI epic, and the first Oscar winner for Best Picture.
• A romantic action-war picture, starring Clara Bow, Paramount's biggest star at the time. The film was shot on location on a budget of $2 million (equivalent to $34.42 million in 2023) at Kelly Field in San Antonio. Hundreds of extras and some 300 pilots were involved in the filming, including pilots and planes of the United States Army Air Corps.
• May 11 – Short Films from Oz - a collection of short films produced by L. Frank Baum in the 1910s, based on his own famous 1900 children’s book, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. (L. Frank Baum pictured, below)
• May 18 – (not yet scheduled)
• May 25 – (Tentative) The Lost Battalion -- a 1919 American silent war film about units of the 77th Infantry Division (the "Lost Battalion") penetrating deep into the Argonne Forest of France during World War I. The film was directed by Burton L. King and features Major Charles W. Whittlesey and a number of actual soldiers from the 77th who portrayed themselves in the film. It was released July 2, 1919 in North America. The film was remade in 2001 by Russell Mulcahy.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM. When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.

Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com