Historical & Cultural Attractions
Franklin's History & Culture
Downtown Franklin is located in the Franklin Cultural District
Franklin is rich with history and culture. The architecture of many historic buildings and monuments reveal its traditions, its people, and the stories of this town which was settled in 1660 then incorporated in 1778. Main Street and downtown Franklin are part of the Franklin Cultural District, thanks to the combined efforts of the Franklin Cultural District Committee, the Town, and Franklin Downtown Partnership.
Franklin Historical Museum
Located at 80 West Central Street, the museum displays materials and documents telling the stories of the people, geography, and events of Franklin’s vibrant history.
Hours:
Saturdays 10am – 1pm
Sundays 1pm – 4pm
Franklin Public Library
Located at 118 Main Street, the nation’s first public lending library was established in 1790 with a donation of books by Benjamin Franklin. The surviving books are currently on display in a bookcase in the Reading Gallery.
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9am – 8pm
Friday-Saturday 9am – 5pm
Dean College
Originally founded as Dean Academy in 1865, Dean College has grown into a private, residential college offering associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs.
Location:
Located at 99 Main Street.
The Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail
In 2019, the Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) envisioned a trail that would feature 17 of the original Ladybug sculptures, several murals, and three bronze statues in downtown Franklin, the heart of Franklin’s Cultural District. Named the Ladybug Cultural and Historical Trail, visitors and residents would connect with Franklin’s culture and history while shopping, dining, and visiting downtown. In 2021, the FDP formed a committee to develop the project. The FDP unveiled the Ladybug Trail at its Strawberry Stroll on June 10, 2022.
The Ladybugs
In 1974, a second-grade class from John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Franklin, MA, decided Massachusetts needed an official state insect. The students, and their teacher, Ms. Palma Johnson, selected the ladybug as their choice for the state insect.
The students learned how their proposal for a state insect could become a law. On March 20, 1974, dressed in their finest ladybug attire, the students went to the State House to support their Ladybug Bill. A month later, on April 17, 1974, Governor Francis W. Sargent signed the bill that made the ladybug the state insect of Massachusetts.
On the 40th anniversary of this achievement, the Franklin Cultural Council and The Rotary Club advanced a public art project in honor of the Kennedy Elementary second grade class, their teacher, and the Ladybug. The art project involved the participation of artists and businesses in the creation of 25, two-feet tall, fiberglass Ladybugs. Over time, the Ladybug sculptures were installed at public buildings, businesses and private residences.
The FDP unveiled the Ladybug Trail at its Strawberry Stroll on June 10, 2022.
Downtown Murals
Joining the trend toward public art, the Partnership’s goal is to turn the uninviting downtown Franklin alleyways into art galleries. Boarded up windows and rusted doors in those alleys create ideal canvases for painting.
Franklin Bronze Statues
Franklin has three bronze sculptures on the Historical Trail representing key figures from the town’s rich history.
Site Maps
These maps have been provided by the Franklin Cultural District and Town of Franklin.
Membership & Donations
Join the Franklin Downtown Partnership. Click on the BECOME A MEMBER button. Fill out the registration form and pay by credit card or Paypal.
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Contact Us
Lisa Piana, Executive Director
9 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038
Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com
(774) 571-3109
