Our Buildings
Legend Park
Step Into Franklin’s Past
The Franklin Historical Society maintains a collection of historically significant buildings in Legend Park, each serving as a tangible record of the city’s development. These structures—including a log cabin, one-room schoolhouse, town hall, chapel, smokehouse, and other facilities—represent the daily lives, civic institutions, and cultural traditions that shaped Franklin from its earliest years through the early twentieth century.
Together, they form a living museum that not only preserves original architecture and artifacts, but also provides an educational setting for students, researchers, and the public. By engaging with these buildings, visitors gain a deeper understanding of Franklin’s agricultural roots, community life, and the enduring legacy of its founding families.
Browse the history of these buildings below.
Visit & Tours
The Franklin Historical Society invites you to step back in time and experience the rich heritage of our community through guided tours of our historic buildings and grounds. Nestled in the heart of Legend Park, our collection of carefully preserved structures tells the story of Franklin’s growth from its pioneer days to the present. Visitors can explore landmarks such as the 19th-century log cabin, a one-room schoolhouse, the charming chapel, town hall, smokehouse, barn, and other buildings that once served as the center of daily life. Each site offers a glimpse into the traditions, challenges, and triumphs of those who came before us.
Our tours are designed to be both educational and engaging, making them perfect for school groups, community organizations, clubs, or families seeking a deeper connection to local history. Knowledgeable volunteers guide each tour, sharing stories, artifacts, and insights that bring Franklin’s past vividly to life.
Tours of the Franklin Historical Society’s buildings and grounds can be arranged for groups of six or more by contacting:
- Doug Schmidt, President — (414) 529-1965
- Ken Gawrisch, Vice President — (414) 469-7782
There is no set admission fee, and tours are offered free of charge. However, donations are always welcome and play a vital role in supporting the preservation of our buildings, caring for historical collections, and providing educational programming for the community.
Whether you are a lifelong resident, a newcomer, or simply passing through, we invite you to discover Franklin’s unique story. By walking through our historic village, you will not only see history but also feel the spirit of the people who built and sustained this community for generations.
Our Buildings
The Sheehan-Godsell Cabin
Franklin’s earliest known non-native settlers were Michael and William Sheehan who arrived from County Cork, Ireland, to register a claim…
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Old Town Hall
The structure and function of town government was established by legislation passed in 1841. Accordingly, Franklin held its first town…
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Whelan School
The Whelan School was one of seven schools that sprouted up during the latter part of the nineteenth century to…
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Ludwig Outhouse
A building considered essential to almost any historic landmark has been added to the Franklin historical site in Lions Legend…
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St. Peters Chapel
The St. Peters Chapel was built in 1869 on grounds next to the St. Peters Cemetery on S. 68th Street,…
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Delikat Smokehouse
A smokehouse, which was common on many Franklin farms, is the newest addition to the historical area of Legend Park.…
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The Story of the Barn Museum The dream of a barn museum in Franklin began in 2012, when the Wendt family generously donated a historic 1880s family barn to the Franklin Historical Society. From the very beginning, the vision was clear: to preserve Franklin’s farming heritage by reconstructing the barn in Lions Legend Park and creating a museum that would showcase artifacts, tools, and equipment from the families who built and sustained our community. It was a leap of faith. The project was far beyond our normal financial means, but it was essential to our mission of preserving Franklin’s history.…
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