Franklin Township Historical Society

A visitor who came to Open Hours at the Historical Society kindly donated this Acton Lumber pocket apron. Acton Lumber existed as early as 1911 and was owned by the Pinnell Lumber Company of Boone County. The house adjacent to the lumber yard was also owned by the company. Can anyone tell us the address where Acton Lumber was located, or what year it closed? We know it was still open in 1960.

This year the F.T. Historical Society will actually have two different fundraising sales, in different locations and on different dates! On Saturday June 6th it will hold a sale of furniture and other items in the garage immediately south of the Society's 1871 Meeting House at 6510 S. Franklin Road. Then our popular Antiques & Rummage Sale will be held as usual at the Franklin Township Civic League, 8822 Southeastern Ave, on Friday June 12 from 8 to 6 and on Saturday June 13 from 8 to 2. Those wishing to donate items can bring them to the Civic League on June 10th (tax deduction receipts available.) No clothing accepted.

Original Wanamaker State Bank vault:

The Wanamaker State Bank was founded by George A. Bowen on August 2, 1919, when New Bethel had “no paved roads, no sidewalks, nothing much except an electric interurban line running through the center of town.” The bank’s first location was in the building that later became Allied Appliances and is now FIZZ’N, at 8901 Southeastern Ave. The bank had a fireproof vault and also a “Cannon Ball Burglar Alarm System” which had false alarms so frequently that it later had to be disabled! The original vault can be visited today: If you go to FIZZ’N for a beverage you can walk into the historic vault, which is now open to the public. 😊

The Franklin Township Historical Society wishes to thank Tabor Lawn & Maintenance and Ray Property Services, who teamed up to tackle a HUGE cleanup job for the Historical Society!
In total they hauled off one 15-yard dumpster and six dump trailer loads of downed trees and dirt.
The Society hugely appreciates their services, and encourages others in the township to support these businesses which have so willingly aided our community non-profit organization.

REMINDER: Now that the worst of winter weather is (presumably!) over, Franklin Township Historical Society Open Hours will resume this Saturday, March 7th, from 2 to 4 PM at the Society's Meeting House at 6510 S. Franklin Road. Our Historical Society tracks 200 years of Township history, and all visits to this 1871 Meeting House museum are free! (FTHS.org)

Now that the worst of winter weather is (presumably!) over, Franklin Township Historical Society Open Hours will resume this Saturday, March 7th, from 2 to 4 PM at the Society's Meeting House at 6510 S. Franklin Road. Our Historical Society tracks 200 years of Township history, and all visits to this 1871 Meeting House museum are free! (FTHS.org)

The Franklin Township Historical Society is sorry to announce that our Sunday evening Dec. 14th "Christmas at the Meeting House" event is CANCELED due to the snow and the expected sub-zero temperatures. Stay in, keep warm, be safe, and Merry Christmas!🎄

--> IMPORTANT!!! Please check here on the Franklin Township Historical Society's page on Sunday before heading to this event to make sure it hasn't had to be canceled because of weather. We can't yet tell how much snow will actually arrive between now and then. Thank you!

The Franklin Township Historical Society's "Christmas at the Meeting House" is this Sunday Dec. 14th at 6:00 PM in the historic 1871 building at 6510 S. Franklin Rd. Hear the histories behind Christmas traditions, sing carols with an antique pump organ, enjoy a reading of "The Night Before Christmas," plus luminaria, punch and cookies, and more. The event lasts about one hour. Attendees should park next door at the paved lot belonging to The Creek (we have permission) so as to leave the Historical Society's small lot available for those with mobility problems.

Free Event! The Franklin Township Historical Society's "Christmas at the Meeting House" is this Sunday Dec. 14th at 6:00 PM in the historic 1871 building at 6510 S. Franklin Rd. Hear the histories behind Christmas traditions, sing carols with an antique pump organ, enjoy a reading of "The Night Before Christmas," plus luminaria, punch and cookies, and more. The event lasts about one hour. Attendees should park next door at the paved lot belonging to The Creek (we have permission) so as to leave the Historical Society's small lot available for those with mobility problems.

The Franklin Township Historical Society's "Christmas at the Meeting House," a free event open to the public, will take place Sunday Dec. 14th at 6:00 PM in our historic 1871 building at 6510 S. Franklin Rd. Come hear the histories behind Christmas traditions, sing carols accompanied by an antique pump organ, enjoy a reading of "The Night Before Christmas," plus luminaria, punch and cookies, and more. The event lasts about one hour. Attendees should park next door at the paved lot belonging to The Creek (we have permission) so as to leave the Historical Society's small lot available for those with mobility problems. FTHS.org.