Historic Happenings in October at Franklin Historical Museum

Sun. Oct. 12 --Second Sunday Speaker Series: Uncas, Hero or Villain?

Join Historical Commission Chair Alan Earls for a slide show exploration of this complex and crucial, Colonial-era leader whose name adorns a town pond and multiple roads in Franklin. Uncas helped to give the Mohegan tribe of Connecticut its own identity and culture, which survives to this day, but has drawn criticism for his cooperation with invading English settlers. We will dive into his life and times and his legacy in a 45-minute talk. The program starts at 1:15. The museum is open from 1-4 and admission is free.

Sun. Oct. 19 – Music at the Museum, Greenwich Bay Brass

Commmissioner Randy LaRosa and colleagues from the popular Rhode Island based ensemble Greenwich Bay Brass ensemble (pictured above) with their bright and lively music, will perform at approximately 2 pm. Come to enjoy the music and peruse the latest offerings.  The museum is open from 1-4 and admission is free.

Wed. Oct. 29 – Ghosts and Legends with the ALWAYS Popular Jeff Belanger

Back with new stories for 2025! 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 event, sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum, always makes for a capacity crowd. Doors open at 6:30 and the event runs from 7-8:30. Admission is free but donations are always encouraged.

Oct. 31, Halloween Cemetery Tour – with Dean College Professor Rob Lawson

This is not an official Museum event, but we always look forward to the entertaining and informative exploration of the history and lore of Franklin’s Union Street Cemetery with Dr. Lawson. Parking is available at the Franklin Historical Museum. Please use this option unless you have mobility issues as space is limited in the cemetery . Last year, everyone met at the cemetery at 5 pm. This year is expected to be the same.

CINEMA 80, the Museum’s film program is back with another planned Itallian Film Festival

In cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center and the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Lodge, the museum is planning to host several free Italian-themed films on Saturday Oct. 18 (Summertime), and also Saturday Nov. 1 (TBD). Showing start at 4pm. Check the museum website or facebook page for changes or other details as they become available.

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), Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM, and, experimentally, Thursday from noon to 5pm.

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.org