The Barn

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. Dedicated committees were formed for construction and fundraising, and volunteers quickly got to work. The barn was disassembled piece by piece, with the help of local businesses such as Guiffre Crane and Johns Disposal, saving thousands of dollars in the process. Over the years, the Historical Society organized barn dances, socials, raffles, parades, and countless fundraisers to bring the project to life.

By 2016, site plans and approvals were secured from the City of Franklin. On December 7, 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of construction. The foundation was laid in 2017, with the City assisting in engineering and public works. Although the original goal was to open by the 2017 or 2018 Fourth of July celebrations, construction and fundraising took longer than expected. Still, progress steadily continued.

In 2019, that vision became reality. The Barn Museum building was completed, and a special dedication ceremony was held on October 19, 2019. The building stands as a gift to the City of Franklin, honoring its rich agricultural past and the families whose hard work shaped our community.

Today, the Barn Museum is more than just a building. It houses exhibits that bring Franklin’s farming story to life—displays of tools, equipment, and artifacts that reflect daily farm life throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum is also an important extension of our school program, which has already welcomed over 7,500 students to experience history as if they were back in 1908.

Though the building is complete, the work continues. Painting, exhibit design, and artifact installation are ongoing efforts that will grow and evolve for years to come. What started as a bold idea has now become a cornerstone of our historic village—a place where the community can learn, reflect, and celebrate Franklin’s farming heritage.