Something for Everyone in September at Franklin Museum

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for September 2024

Sept 8--Second Sunday Speaker Series: As American as The Blues

A large and important part of the American experience is captured in the origin story of Blues music in the African American community. And the music itself has become embedded in musical artforms nationally and globally. Dean College History Professor, Dr. Rob Lawson will share his insights on this topic on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St., Franklin. Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15. Presentations typically include audience questions and run about an hour in length. Lawson is the author of Jim Crow's Counterculture: The Blues and Black Southerners, 1890-1945. The event is FREE, but donations always welcomed.

Sept 15 will inaugurate the first “Third Sunday” Music at the Museum program

Commission member and multi-instrumentalist Randy LaRosa will provide an inaugural demonstration and performance of our newly repaired and tuned, 120-year-old, Franklin-made Trowbridge piano. Expect a lively and informative afternoon, spanning multiple genres starting at 4pm.

Sept. 28 -- In Conjunction with Franklin Harvest Fest –We Recap and Remember the Popular, Local St Rocco’s Festival

Join us during the Franklin Harvest Festival on Sept. 28 (rain date Sept 29) from 1-5 for a Celebration of the Long-running Saint Rocco’s Festival with special guest, PBS Great American Recipe contestant and Franklin resident, Marcella ‘Marcie’ DiChiara. In addition to Marcie we will be sharing images, news clips, and memories of the St. Rocco’s festival as well as celebrating Franklin’s Italian roots (Look for signs at the museum marking well-known family names where kinfolk are encouraged to reconnect.) And, of course, it wouldn’t be St. Rocco’s without food, so The Rome Restaurant will be selling pizza slices in front of the museum! The event is FREE, but donations always welcomed.

`CINEMA 80’

After a well-received experimental run from January to May at the Franklin Historical Museum, Cinema 80, captained by videographer and cinephile Chris Leverone, is coming back for another season of amazing free `Silent Saturday’ silent film entertainment on Saturdays at 6pm. The program is free but donations are encouraged.

The lineup for September includes:

• 9/7, Modern Times (comedy) – created by and starring Charlie Chaplin
• 9/14, Shorts by the tremendously innovative film maker D.W. Griffith
• 9/21, Orochi
  – a 1925 Japanese film that tells the story of a troubled samurai.
• 9/28, Man with a Movie Camera –a 1929 mesmerizing showcase of communist life by the Ukrainian Photo Cinema Administration.

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. The museum will be closed Independence Day weekend, July 6 and 7.

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.