Franklin Historical Society-- Franklin, New Hampshire

The Franklin Historical Society was incorporated in 1981 to study and preserve the history of Franklin.

Housed in the Historic Webster Tay/House, a part of Daniel Webster's "Elms Farm" from 1799-1855, later the New Hampshire Orphanage from 1871-1959, the Society meets on the first Thursday of the month from April through November.

View or Print Directions to the Webster/Tay House
21 Holy Cross Rd

November means cooler temperatures, the end of peak foliage (and the beginning of the annual raking of the leaves), and for the Society, the end of regular monthly meetings until next April. There will be of course the annual pot-luck Christmas Dinner in December. November is also the month which contains Veterans’ Day, and it is in the spirit of properly honoring those who served that this month’s program was selected. At 7 pm, at the Society’s Webster Place museum (21 Holy Cross Road) on Thursday the 6th, the presentation will highlight the nursing career of Bernice Sinclair, “A Genuine Franklin Heroine”. Serving in the European theater under Gen George S. Patten in WWII, she brought distinction to her profession, her hospital staff, and herself, during the trying months after D-Day. The program is based on slides of the memorabilia she brought back with her, of photos, documents, and artifacts. It is a fascinating journey, or as Bernice called it, an “odyssey” of trials and tribulations of treating wounded soldiers not-so-far behind the lines of battle. The presentation is free (as always), open to all, and offering light refreshments as an added inducement to stay for the business meeting following the program.

Our Society Cookbook, $12, available online at Lulu.com, or from the Society. 

MEMBER PRICE: $10, from the Society.

The verbal history book “Echoes from the Mills” has been reprinted by the Society and is now available for only $15. Also available, NEW! is a 13 1/2 by 23 1/2 copy of the 1890 map of Webster Lake, with a legend identifying businesses (ice houses) and owners of homes around the lake. Suitable for framing! On card stock for only $10. Please click on “Contact” and fill out the required information if you are interested in obtaining copies.

For those wishing to communicate or send dues, donations, or packages via the US Postal service, please use the Society’s mailing address of
PO Box 43,
Franklin, NH 03235.
​The Society DOES NOT accept mail deliveries at the Holy Cross Road address, the use of which could cause the mail to be returned or delayed.