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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Franklin Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Standing on the Town Common in Franklin is the town’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a lasting tribute to the men of Franklin who served in the Civil War dedicated on Memorial Day. May 30, 1903, the monument was commissioned during the great wave of Civil War remembrance that swept across New England in the decades after the […]
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 […]
Mourning Doughboy
Standing at the center of the Franklin Town Common is the town’s World War I memorial, often referred to as the “Mourning Doughboy“. Dedicated in 1929, the monument honors the 423 men from Franklin who served during the First World War, including the 13 who lost their lives. The memorial captures a deeply reflective moment. […]
