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 the world.
The plague honors “the men of Franklin who volunteered to serve in the war against Spain and Cuba.” It references key elements of the conflict, including the sinking of the USS Maine and the Battle of San Juan Heights and then lists the names of the local men who served during this brief war.
The Spanish-American War marked an important turning point in American history. The United States emerged as an international power with military involvement extending beyond the mainland into Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Even in a small town like Franklin, local men answered the call to serve in a conflict taking place far from home.
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Birthplace of Horace Mann
In Franklin, the memory of Horace Mann is preserved in these two different ways. One is the granite marker of his birthplace, while the other is the large public statue located in Horace Mann Square. The birthplace plaque marks where his life began, while the statue honors what Horace Mann became. Standing confidently beside a column of […]
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 […]
Benjamin Franklin Statue
Franklin is a town deeply aware of its history and proudly displays the people and ideals that helped shape its identity. Unlike many New England towns named for English places, Franklin holds the distinction of being the first town in the United States named after one of the nation’s founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin. Although Benjamin Franklin is closely […]
