Franklin Historical Society-- Franklin, New Hampshire
Franklin Historical Society
November 2026
Halloween has come and gone, the jack-o-lanterns extinguished, leaving only the anticipation of doctors and dentists for more appointment requests from parents concerned with the over-consumption of highly sugared treats by their children. Even peak foliage viewing has past, with but a few reminders of autumn glory still peppering the landscape. November is upon us, with the poignant reminder of paying tribute to those in uniform serving this country past, present, and future. In that spirit of remembrance and tribute, the November program of the Society will be “The Origins of Soldiers Memorial Hall”, detailing the importance of its construction and the inclusion of the G.A.R. Hall in its planning. Presented by the Society’s president on Thursday night, November 5th at 7 pm, at the Society’s Webster/Tay Building (21 Holy Cross Rd.) at the Easterseals Military and Veterans Campus. Light refreshments will be provided after the program and before the last regular monthly business meeting for 2026. As always, the event is free, and all are welcome. Membership in the Society is not required, but certainly appreciated.
As a gift to the city of Franklin, the digitization of the original 1828 to 1848 handwritten ledger of the town’s important records, all 400 plus pages, is complete. Until the renovation of Soldiers Memorial is done, and a new, storage space is secured, the book will remain in the safe keeping of the Society in its fireproof safe. This historic treasure, along with other meaningful documents and artifacts, are being considered for display during the city’s upcoming bicentennial in 2028. More information will be provided as we get closer to this momentous date.
In other news, the Society will once again support the Opera House’s Festival of Trees by donating a wreath decorated with vintage ornaments, hung on a wooden rocking chair and accompanied by Victorian Christmas images printed on postcard stock, and of course a free family membership for a year to encourage renewal and active participation.
Donations of interesting items continue, so it is challenging to be original when framing a “thanks” to these generous, and thoughtful, individuals for these gifts:
To Chris Lewis, for a 1959 book “The Fourth Grade Log” detailing a day-to-day teaching plan from that era, a copy of the Journal Transcript front page from July 16, 1970, with the headline no one will forget “Stevens Mill to Close” with the accompanying story, and a framed 1956 prize winning photo entitled “A School Parade” by Richard P. Lewis (see below);
To Jan Jurta, for 25 books of Shakespeare’s plays, and one of his sonnets, all published from 1888-1895, with some signed by Mary C. Robinson (with some personal notes), Alice to John, and John Shepard Jr BU Grad school (Shakespeare Literary Primer), with a FHS 1946 Key and a 1926 Franklin Annual Report;
To Ruth Curriveau (of Canterbury), her father-in-law’s WWII naval uniform, with awarded campaign ribbons and rank, with photos and documents. Alfred Joyal was a a petty officer 2nd class and a cook with the Seabees in the south pacific.
The Society accepts these gifts with the deepest of gratitude, knowing how important these items are to the families who possessed them. Thank you to all.
A mistake was made in last month’s newsletter to be corrected now. The BPW calendars, one featuring Linda Geiler, were donated by Linda Pauwels. The Society apologizes profusely for this error.
As another season of appreciating Franklin’s history and the preservation of articles associated with it, draws to a close, the Society with end the year with its traditional pot-luck dinner on Sunday, December 13th at Thompson Hall. All are invited to feast on the food and partake of the friendship and camaraderie the Society offers.
In the meantime, happy Thanksgiving, and please remember the Veterans and those serving currently. They sacrifice for us.
Current Newsletter
To Kathy Fuller, for a burlap sack (see right) the once held seed for any number of farms in the Franklin area, a 5 foot long by a foot and a half sign “The Lakes Region CB Club” with a call sign “The Witch” (can anyone identify this person?), a 2000 large format color photo of Franklin Savings Bank Members of the Corporation, a couple of vintage foreign postcards and one of the White House 1918, and a G.A.R. metal grave marker (which will be returned to the G.A.R. Hall with other items, once the Hall is reopened to the public);