Welcome Sign
One of the things that makes Franklin unique among American towns is proudly displayed on this welcome sign: it is the home of the nation’s first public library.
The story begins in 1778 then the town, newly incorporated, chose to name itself after Benjamin Franklin. The citizens asked Franklin for a bell for their town and Franklin, instead, to donate a collection of books. His gift became the foundation of what is widely recognized as America’s first public library, a distinction Franklin continues to celebrate more than two centuries later.
The sign also recognized Franklin’s commitment to honoring military service. Beneath the library designation is a marker paying tribute to America’s Combat Wounded Warriors through the Purple Heart program. It serves as a reminder that while Franklin values education and learning, it also remembers those who sacrificed in service to the nation.
I enjoy exploring communities that embrace the stories that make them unique. Many towns are known for a battle, a factory, or a famous resident. Franklin proudly identifies itself with the power of books and learning. The combination of a public library and a tribute to veterans says something about the values of this community. As you enter Franklin, the sign offers a powerful welcome: this is a town that believes education matters and that those who have served will not be forgotten.
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Spanish-American War Memorial
Among the memorials on the Franklin town common, ist his mounted naval style gun and plaque commemorating Franklin residents who served in the Spanish-American War of 1898. The gun is a direct physical reminder of how warfare was changing at the turn of the twentieth century, when modern naval power began reshaping America’s role in […]
Veterans Memorial Walkway
One of the more thoughtful veteran’s memorials I have encountered was the Veterans Memorial Walkway located on the Franklin Town Common. Rather than a single statue or monument, the memorial was designed as a place to move through, almost lie creating a room for remembrance within the landscape of the common itself. Dedicated on November 11, 2018, the walkway […]
