Franklin Historical Society
Franklin Historical Society

welcome

Welcome to the Franklin Historical Society website. It is our goal to preserve and promote Franklin's long, proud history. We invite you to visit the four historic buildings in Lions Legend Park and participate in our community activities. New members to our nonprofit organization are always welcomed.

important dates in history

  • July 4, 2006
    City of Franklin celebrates its 50th Anniversary
  • July 1969
    Franklin Historical Society becomes incorporated as nonprofit organization.
  • August 14, 1956
    Franklin residents vote to incorporate as a city.
  • August 31, 1962
    Franklin High School opens.

upcoming events

  • The FHS 2013 annual meeting will be held on Saturday, April 13 in the Fadrow Room at the Franklin Public Library, 9227 W. Loomis Rd. The general public is invited to a free program at 1 p.m. honoring Franklin's Irish heritage. A special presentation by descendants of Michael Sheehan, our earliest known European settler, will be featured. There is more to the story than previously thought of how Michael and his family emigrated from Ireland. Refreshments and snacks will be served following the presentation. The FHS membership business meeting will start immediately after the refreshment break. Hope you can attend!

  • A second barn dance to raise funds has been planned for Sunday, April 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Hideaway, 9643 S. 76th Street. Vern & The Originals will again provide good old-fashioned music. There will be a huge 50-50 raffle as well as other door prizes. Advance tickets can be purchased at The Hideaway and will also be available for purchase at the society's annual meeting on Staurday, April 13 at 1 p.m. at the Franklin Public Library. Advance ticket prices are $12 for two tickets or $7 for one. The cost of the tickets at the door will be $15 for two or $10 for one.

  • The morning of  Saturday, June 15 the Franklin Health Department has its annual Bike Rodeo in Lions Legend Park. The FHS will have our historic buildings open for touring at the conclusion of this event.

  • Open houses for touring the FHS historic buildings will be Thursday July 4 just after the City of Franklin's 4th of July parade, and Sunday August 4 after the Music in the Park Concert. Our new farming tools and implements display will be featured.

  • On Saturday Sept. 21 the FHS will dedicate the opening of the Delikat Smokehouse. The smokehouse has been dismantled from its original Drexel Ave. location and rebuilt in Lions Legend Park in our historic village. Our other buildings will be open for touring. Times will be posted soon.

  • An Old-Fashioned Christmas - On Saturday Dec. 14 there will be three non-denominational services held at several times: 4:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. at our St. Peter's Chapel in Lions Legend Park. After each service, cookies, snacks and beverages will be served in the Old Town Hall. Live music and song of the season will be enjoyed by all. On Saturday Dec. 7 from 10:a.m. to 3 p.m. children are invited to celebrate the Christmas season by making decorations for the schoolhouse. On Saturday Dec. 14 the Whelan School Program precedes the St. Peters Christmas service.

Mission Statement

The Franklin Historical Society seeks to preserve and foster appreciation of local history and to maintain living museums for educational and community enrichment.

The franklin historical society

The Franklin Historical Society evolved from an adult education class taught by Al Block, Director of Instruction, at Franklin High School in January 1969. Dennis Horvath served as acting chairman when the FHS was organized on February 5, 1969, and the first board of directors was elected that April with John Kamper as president. The Society was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in July 1969 and became an affiliate of the Wisconsin State Historical Society the following year.

 

What's New

Steve Gyuro & Jim Luckey

Steve Gyuro & Jim Luckey

The Franklin Historical Society has completed the careful dismantling of the historic Wendt Family barn. Donations are needed and would be greatly appreciated. They can be sent to the Franklin Historical Society Barn Raising Project PO Box 320012 Franklin, WI. 53132.

 

The Barn Project Story

You may know about the Franklin Historical Society's BARN PROJECT.  Our capital campaign's goal is to raise funds to build a barn in Lions Legend Park to display farm tools and equipment used when Franklin was a rural community.  Additional donations are needed so that we can start building the barn this summer.  Please send donations to the Franklin Historical Society, Barn Raising Project, P.O. Box 320012, Franklin, WI 53132.  CLICK HERE for additional details regarding the barn project and pictures of disassembling the Wendt family barn.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND SEE PICTURES

 

Living Museums

Whelan School Living History Experience

Teachers are invited to sign up their elementary class for a day of learning in a rural one room school setting. Contact Barbara Pforr at Bap4@earthlink.net for more details.

Chapel Weddings

Couples interested in a quaint chapel wedding ceremony are welcomed to rent the St. Peters Chapel for such a service. The chapel holds up to 50 guests and an organist is available if requested. For reservations, contact Barbara Pforr at Bap4@earthlink.net.

Newsletters

Click here to see all of our newsletters, both past and present.