Historic Happenings at the Museum for February

Sun. Feb. 9--Second Sunday Speaker Series: Dean College Professor. Dr. Rob Lawson, presents “History in Our Backyard!” Congressman Tip O’Neill is remembered as saying all politics is local. All history is local too. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Lawson will share a variety of examples where “big” history (national/global) meets local history stories. Wars, pandemics, and natural disasters are painful reminders of how big events can affect local communities, and Franklin is no exception. Together, we’ll encounter a couple of Franklin history “puzzles” and explore some of the film and digital history initiatives that are making our local history accessible and relevant right now. Bring your curiosity and put on your thinking cap as we explore the history in our backyard! at the Franklin Historical Museum. Museum open 1-4, program starts at 1:15. FREE

Friday, Feb. 14. for Valentine’s Day. After a well-received fall run at the Franklin Historical Museum, Cinema 80 is back in cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center with a first free film of 2025, the ever-popular Love Story, a 1970 American romantic drama film written by Erich Segal, who was also the author of the best-selling 1970 novel. It was produced by Howard G. Minsky, and directed by Arthur Hiller, starring Ali MacGraw, Ryan O'Neal, John Marley, Ray Milland and Tommy Lee Jones in his film debut. The film is considered one of the most romantic by the American Film Institute – and filmed around a Boston barely touched by new development! The event starts at 6pm.

Sun. Feb. 16, “Third Sunday” Music at the Museum program – In honor of Black History Month the museum will show the short film, The Cry Of Jazz, a 1959 documentary film by Edward O. Bland that connects jazz to African American history through footage of Chicago's black neighborhoods, performances by Sun Ra, John Gilmore, and Julian Priester interspersed with scenes of musicians and intellectuals, both black and white, conversing at a jazz club. Separately, we will also hear some performances by Abbie Lincoln, Nina Simone, and others with a specific focus on Civil Rights and Black Pride. Museum opens 1-4, program starts at 1:15.

Thurs. Feb. 20, a ‘pop up’ exhibit – “This Love”, is a collection of mixed media artwork created by Artist and community builder Amy Adams. It is an interpretation of poems collected, childhood memories, and forms of love. Open 4-6pm only.

Continuing
until Feb. 23.
Two Exhibits Opened as part of Ben Franklin
Month.(https://benfranklinbookweek.com)

• Franklin-ventions:
  Revolutionary Ideas in Franklin Industries
  + a look at some of Ben Franklin's famous inventions and patents and
  innovations “made in Franklin.”
• 'Ben
  Gave us Books and We Gave the World Books' --
  a display of Franklin-authored books, past and present. (Are you a
  Franklin Author? -- contact alan.r.earls@gmail.com to join the
  display!)

Both
exhibits continue through
the 23rd
during regular hours (Sat. 10-1 and Sun 1-4) at the Franklin
Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street. FREE

The
Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street,
Franklin.
The
museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM (except as noted
above) 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