12-28-2024 4:00am

January is now Ben Franklin MONTH, in Franklin

Alan Earls Editor

Ben
Franklin Book Week was born in 2024 as "A
Community Rediscovery of Ideas, Literature, and the Shared Gift of
Language." In its second year, this annual event, now
the whole month of January, celebrates the birth month of
Benjamin Franklin, America's most inspiring 'founding father.' Ben's
gift of books to the town of Franklin led to creation of the First
Free Public Lending Library in North America and set the tone for
Franklin's history ever since. Ben Franklin Month recognizes the
town's ongoing book- and learning-friendly culture and the many other
ways Franklin has inspired and continues to inspire creative
endeavors with a growing slate of events and activities!

Ben Franklin
Month is led by the Franklin
Historical Museum, with
support from Franklin
Public Library, and Dean
College with grant funding provided by
Mass.
Cultural Council through the Franklin
Cultural District Committee.

PLANNED
EVENTS INCLUDE:

Sat.
1/4 Franklin-ventions: Revolutionary Ideas
in Franklin Industries + a look at some of Ben Franklin's
famous inventions + some of the inventions and innovations created in Franklin over the last 200+ years. Continues all month during
regular hours (Sat. 10-1 and Sun 1-4) at the Franklin Historical
Museum, 80 West Central Street.

Sat.
1/4 'Ben Gave us Books and We Gave the World Books' -- a display of
Franklin-authored books, past and present. Continues all
month during regular hours (Sat. 10-1 and Sun 1-4) at the
Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street. (Are you a
Franklin Author? -- contact alan.r.earls@gmail.com to join the
display!)

Thurs.
1/9 JUNTO A Non-Fiction Book Club at the Franklin
Library Starts in January! (Inspired by Ben Franklin's famous
Philadelphia reading group, the Junto)! The first meeting is
Thursday January 9th at 6:30PM. The January Book is Think Again
by Adam Grant! Get a physical or digital copy through the Library
Catalog!

Sat.
1/11 1:00—3:00 PM Ben Franklin Week Kickoff Concert at the
Franklin Public Library with popular local favorite, Franklin
Underground!

Sun
1/12 Second Sunday Speaker Series (Speaker to be announced)
at the Franklin Historical Museum. Museum open 1-4, program starts at
1:15.

Fri.
1/17 Franklin Library Children’s Dept features Ben
Franklin Birthday Bash. Check library website for details.

Sat.
1/18 Short Franklin-related films at Historical Museum
during regular 10-1 hours.

Sun.
1/19 Third Sunday “music at the museum’ – Come learn
about and experience the lively, underappreciated musical, Ben
Franklin in Paris that ran for 215 performances on Broadway
(1964-5)! Free.

Wed. 1/22
(6pm) Dean College Student History Reception at Franklin
Historical Museum 80 West Central Street

Thurs.,
1-23, Ben Franklin Autobiography LIVE Readathon at
the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, 1:30 PM to
approximately 8 pm Come and participate! Contact Alan Earls with any
questions (alan.r.earls@gmail.com). FREE. Note, the 'kick off '
reader (prerecorded) will be Franklin's Congressman, Jake
Auchincloss followed by State Senator Becca Rausch
(also prerecorded). Volunteer readers
typically participate for 10-15 minutes in sharing this classic work
of American literature. Completion times vary but the event will
likely end around 8 pm and will also include a 'tea' (Ben's favorite
kind!) and reading of a short play written by Ben Franklin. Watch for
a signup link on the website or come by to listen or participate!

Fri.
1/17 BIG Library Book Sale at the Franklin Public
Library Friday, January 17th, 1:00-5:00

Sat.
1/18 Big Library Book Sale Continues 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
and from 1-4 its the Big Library BAG SALE.

Sun.
1/26 Vera Meyer and Ben Franklin's Glass Armonica at Marvin Chapel,
Dean College at approximately 1:30 (check back closer to the date)
Among Ben Franklin's most amazing inventions is the glass
armonica (or harmonica) , a series of concentric, rotating crystal
glass bowls that can be played (think of the sound of wine glass rims
being rubbed). Mozart and others composed music for it. And Boston
area musician and expert Vera Meyer will return to Franklin for a
performance featuring many styles of music [LISTEN TO SAMPLE
HERE]
and some opportunities for audience interaction. Don't miss the
haunting, ethereal, and beautiful sounds of the armonica at the Dean
College Marvin Chapel (second floor of Dean Hall) The event is also
planned to include performance of Ben Franklin's funny,
tongue-in-cheek play. Ben Franklin and the Gout.
FREE