Reading of the Wrentham/Franklin Declaration of Independence 

• Friday, June 5 - Wrentham Common, 5-7 p.m.

• Saturday, June 6 – Franklin Historical Museum, just before noon, (copies for visitors)

Back in 1776, with encouragement from the provisional state government, Wrentham (which then included Franklin, Norfolk, and Plainville) joined with several other Massachusetts towns to write and issue its own Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, stealing a march on the delegates of the Continental Congress then meeting in Philadelphia. Wrentham officials will recreate this event, with representatives of Franklin in attendance from 5-7 p.m. 

The declaration will also be read at the museum on June 6th, right before Porchfest.

Saturday, June 6 – 3rd Annual Porchfest (Rain date June 7), noon – 6 p.m.

• On the front porch of the Franklin Historical Museum:

–Jamie Barrett – beloved local educator and performer – noon to 1

–Jabbering Trout – from 1:30-3 p.m.

–an additional performer TBD

Franklin Art Association will hold Fakes and Forgeries exhibit opening and awards

Friday,  June 12  Strawberry Stroll, 4-8 p.m.

Stop by the museum for complimentary popcorn and visit our booth in the main stroll area! 

Saturday, June 13 – Welcome FIFA!

Short films on soccer history and a poster board display of newspaper stories highlighting early years of soccer in Franklin. 

Sunday, June 14 – `Second Sunday Speaker’ Panel: Soccer’s Massachusetts Roots & Branches

In coordination with FIFA games in Foxboro and inspired by the May 28 Soccer History Event in New Bedford, the museum will host a world class array of experts to delve into the rich, regional history of soccer, which includes the Oneida Football Club that inaugurated organized “foot ball” of all kinds on American soil on Boston Common in 1862. *Panelists start with:

• Rich Frongillo, top-scoring FHS soccer player and long-time soccer coach

• Kristine Moore, Patriot’s Hall of Fame historian, who holds a Master’s degree in Public/Applied History from Southern New Hampshire University and is an expert on the intertwined origins of US football and soccer

• Dr. Kevin Tallec Marston, long-time research fellow and lecturer with FIFA’s International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES) in Switzerland, and current president of the Society for American Soccer History (SASH). 

*Other experts had not yet confirmed their attendance at press time. 

The Museum opens at 1, with the program running from 1:15-3:15 (with a break in the middle). Reserve your free ticket at tinyurl.com/FHMSoccer.  

Saturday & Sunday, June 20-21: Revolutionaries in White: a look across three centuries of bridal fashion

Brides didn’t always wear white, but in the 19th century, a number of factors combined to make that the preferred color, which remains dominant today. Revolutionaries in White will display gowns from the 19th to the 21st century, offering insights into rapid social changes, including multi-generational family gowns and the unique 1946 Parachute Dress with its spectacular 13-foot train. This exhibit will continue through July.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 W. Central St., Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Sunday afternoons, 1-4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508-560-3786. Visit us at franklinmuseum1778.org