Franklin Historical Society-- Franklin, New Hampshire

Thank you, one and all, for these fabulous additions to the Society’s collections. It continues to amaze and delight to discover the treasures which still exist to be found, examined, educate, and be appreciated.

 

Understanding history is not only educational, but can really be exciting, and fun.

From time to time, the Society is approached as a potential source of information on historic homes in Franklin, usually newly purchased, where the current owner is seeking background information on the property. The first piece of advice offered is to perform a deep deed search at the Merrimack County Register of Deeds in Concord. Recently, a young woman was brought to the attention of the Society with just such a request, resulting in a phone call and a surprise. Not only had this energetic and enthusiastic lady already done the research, but was the owner with her husband of a house whose previous occupants were well known to the Society! Situated in Thompson Park, the house had been formerly the home of C.L. Hunt, of whose photographs the Society had quite a collection, but also in the 20th century, was the home of the WWII hero “Ted” Lepianka, a Hellcat pilot who flew missions off the carrier USS Hornet, and was made somewhat infamous for his wheels-and-flaps-up crash landing while wounded! The joy of discovery is difficult to put into words, but Amanda Schwabe has certainly experienced it firsthand.

The flip side of history is the sadness of loss, the price society pays for human progress and the need for more space to accommodate inevitable growth. Such is the case of the demolition of several building along Canal and Memorial Streets. Below is a “before” photo showing all the buildings, save the Acme Knitting Machine and Needle Company (now an apartment complex), that are no longer here: roofs of the steam laundry and bowling alley barely visible lower left, and the mill workers’ tenement building on the right, all now joined by the Griffin Hacksaw Company (far right, with its original pitched roof) as the latest casualty.

December: a time for family, feasts (diets in January, forgotten by February), gifts, and reflection on the year now almost past. For the Society, it has been a fine year, with good  attendance for meetings, welcoming some new members into the fold, and a steady stream of new acquisitions for its ever burgeoning collections, stimulating new research and a greater appreciation of the perpetual learning curve while investigating and preserving history.

To celebrate another successful year, the Society will host its (now) traditional Holiday Potluck dinner at Thompson Hall (Congregational-Christian Church meeting hall) on Sunday, December 8th, from 4 pm (set-up and social hour) to 7 pm. With dinner at 5 pm. The turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, and Carlton Ham punch will already be there, but the rest is up to you! Please also consider bringing non-perishable items to be added to the Church’s donation to the Food Pantry to help those less fortunate.

All are welcome—members, family and friends. Tis the season to share!

and Edie Stevens of Cresco, PA for a Franklin High School composition book, circa 1890, from the C.E. Noyes Stationery Store on Central Street.

Society News

Franklin Historical Society

December 2024

Any historical society is only sustainable through donor support, be it archival material or monetary donations. Since the last newsletter, the Society is once again excited to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions:

Chris Lewis, for a pre-1855 map of NH (although not dated, it does not separate Gilford with Laconia, which was incorporated in 1855);

Annette Cain for an unused rain cap in its original vinyl sleeve from the H.L. Young Funeral Home;

Jerry Gauthier for a copy of the 1972 Franklin Real Estate Assessments (boy, have those changed!);

Sarah Stanley (in honor of Mike Mullavey’s love of Franklin history) a typed description of the Main Street Store’s history with the Mullavey family connection, a photo of the store in its early days, and copies of deeds to that property;

Below: the “after” picture, with the empty area where once stood the proud mill which began business in 1878, selling to Stanley Tool after 100 years of making saws and blades, only to be closed permanently six years later in 1984. The Acme Knitting Machine and Needle Company (Light and Power Apartment complex) is on the left.

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Despite absorbing these losses, we move on, trying to preserve what can be repurposed, while  never forgetting what came before,. The look of Franklin may continue to change, but its valued history, with its inherent pride, must never be forgotten.

December 8th  will help remind us all, no matter what holiday you celebrate, that seasonal spirit and good cheer, combined with the hope that peace, understanding, love and joy can be made to last through every month of the coming twelve, if we all concentrate on the best that humans can offer one another.

May you be warmed by the Happiest of Holidays.