The mission of the Franklin Historical Society is to seek to preserve and foster appreciation of local history and to maintain living museums for educational and community enrichment.
Upcoming Events 2024
Finding the American Revolution in Wisconsin Sat. April 27, 2024 Franklin Public Library 1 P.M.
The Franklin Historical Society will present a special free educational and entertaining program to our members and general public. Brian Barrett who is an experienced speaker, published author and a revolutionary war historian will present the program featuring his new book starting at 1 P.M. in the Fadrow Room in the library.
After his program we will serve out members and guests some treats and beverages.
Upcoming Franklin Historical Society’s Open Houses
The Franklin Historical Society will open our historic buildings after the free Concerts in the Park summer series which start at 1:30 p.m. and our buildings will be open before 3 p.m. The listing of the bands will be out a little later.
We will have our traditional open house on Thursday the 4th of July and our Christmas program on Saturday December 7th and other dates are being planned. If you have a group that would want a free private tour just contact Jim Luckey at 414-421-6539 or email luckeyjim@yahoo.com.
Christmas Program 2023
The Franklin Historical Society’s 2023 Christmas program Saturday December 2nd was a great success! We had three St. Peters Chapel Services, a special children’s program in the Whelan School, live music and refreshments in the Town Hall and our Sheehan/Godsell Cabin and the Franklin Barn Museum were open for touring.
Fall Fest in Franklin October 2023
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Easter Egg Hunt Open House
On Saturday April 8, 2023 the Franklin Historical Society opened our historic buildings for touring right after the Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt. We had a huge turnout of many families who enjoyed and found the tour most interesting.
Fall Fest Program 2022
On Saturday October 22nd, 2022 the Franklin Historical Society opened our Franklin historic buildings from 1 p.m. to 4 for a special “Fall Fest” program. Each building had a live demonstration of how Franklin people lived and worked in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Activities include weaving from our loom, wool spinning, blacksmith operations, rope making, 19th century cabin cooking techniques , use of our smokehouse, use of an apple press along with some history of the use of our chapel and one room school house.
The Franklin Historical Society opens our buildings upon request for groups interested for a free private tour. Call Jim Luckey at 414-421-6539 to make arrangements.
Vietnam Veterans Program – 2022
Saturday April 30, the Franklin Historical Society hosted a “Vietnam Retrospective” program developed by Doug Schmidt and the Franklin Historical Society at the Franklin Public Library. We had a great turnout of guests. They were greeted by songs of the Vietnam era Doug had set up. He also had over 100 pictures that rotated during his presentation of the history of the Vietnam War from its earliest beginnings to the withdrawal and the politics involved.
A Franklin Christmas – 2021
Christmas Nativity Walk 2020
On Saturday December 5th the Franklin Historical Society along with Morning Star Productions hosted a special Christmas program. Biblical Christmas characters were stationed on the pathways of our historical buildings doing their performances.
Historic District
The Franklin Historical Society’s village of buildings has been land marked in 2018 as a “Historic District” by the Milwaukee County Historical Society.Pictured below is our new General Store display in the Old Town Hall.
