Ben Franklin Book Week was born in 2024 as “A Community Rediscovery of Ideas, Literature, and the Shared Gift of Language.” In its second year, this annual event is now the whole month of January, celebrating the birth month of Benjamin Franklin, America’s most inspiring ‘founding father.’ Ben’s gift of books to the town of Franklin led to creation of the First Free Public Lending Library in North America and set the tone for Franklin’s history ever since. Ben Franklin Month recognizes the town’s ongoing book- and learning-friendly culture and the many other ways Franklin has inspired and continues to inspire creative endeavors with a growing slate of events and activities! Ben Franklin Month is led by the Franklin Historical Museum, with support from Franklin Public Library, and Dean College with grant funding provided by Mass. Cultural Council through the Franklin Cultural District Committee.
PLANNED EVENTS INCLUDE:
Sat. 1/4 ‘Ben Gave us Books and We Gave the World Books’ — a display of Franklin-authored books, past and present. Continues all month during regular hours (Sat. 10-1 and Sun 1-4) at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street. (Are you a Franklin Author? — contact alan.r.earls@gmail.com to join the display!)
Thurs. 1/9RESCHEDULED TO 1/30 JUNTO A Non-Fiction Book Club at the Franklin Library Starts in January! (Inspired by Ben Franklin’s famous Philadelphia reading group, the Junto)! The first meeting is Thursday January 9th at 6:30PM. The January Book is Think Again by Adam Grant! Get a physical or digital copy through the Library Catalog!
Sat. 1/11 (Rescheduled from 1/4) Franklin-ventions: Revolutionary Ideas in Franklin Industries + a look at some of Ben Franklin’s famous inventions. Continues all month (and until 2/23) during regular hours (Sat. 10-1 and Sun 1-4) at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street.
Sat. 1/11 1:00—3:00 PM Ben Franklin Week Kickoff Concert at the Franklin Public Library with popular local favorite, Franklin Underground!
Sun 1/12 Second Sunday Speaker Series —The American Revolution As You’ve Never Imagined It!
The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the Franklin Historical Museum continues on Sunday, Jan. 12 with a truly unique look at the American Revolution, which began 250 years ago this coming April. 19. We are joined by the Michael Wenzke, creator of the The Revolutionary Story Tour, a popular and award-winning Freedom Trail walking tour that mesmerizes participants.
According to Michael, the American Revolution did not just happen in Boston — it could only have happened in Boston. From protest to resistance to rebellion the intensification of American opposition to England was first, foremost, and fiercest in this city. What took place here has become a central part of America’s identity. Michael uses both a patriot and loyalist perspectives to separate truth from legend and introduces us to the personalities of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, James Otis, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin (of course) as well as the Sons of Liberty, the Friends of Government, and more.
Whether you already love history or think you never could, Michael’s passion and insightful presentation will amaze you and leave you wanting more. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged. Email alan.r.earls@gmail.com to request to add your name to the guest list (max request, 4). FREE. The Museum is located at 80 W. Central St., Franklin and is open from 1-4. The Program starts at 1:15.
Fri. 1/17 Franklin Library Children’s Dept features Ben Franklin Birthday Bash. Check library website for details.
Sat. 1/18 Short Franklin-related films at Historical Museum during regular 10-1 hours.
Sun. 1/19 Third Sunday “music at the museum’ – Come learn about and experience the lively, underappreciated musical, Ben Franklin in Paris that ran for 215 performances on Broadway (1964-5)
Wed. 1/22 (6pm). Dean College Student History Reception at Franklin Historical Museum 80 West Central Street
Thurs., 1-23, Ben Franklin Autobiography* LIVE Readathon at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, 1:30 PM to approximately 8 pm Come and participate! Contact Alan Earls with any questions (alan.r.earls@gmail.com). FREE. Note, the ‘kick off ‘ reader (prerecorded) will be Franklin’s Congressman, Jake Auchincloss followed by State Senator Becca Rausch (also prerecorded). Volunteer readers typically participate for 10-15 minutes in sharing this classic work of American literature. Completion times vary but the event will likely end around 8 pm and will also include a ‘tea’ and reading of a short play written by Ben Franklin. Watch for a signup link on the website.
Fri. 1/17 BIG Library Book Sale. Friday, January 17th, 1:00-5:00
Sat. 1/18 Big Library Book Sale Continues 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon and from 1-4 its the Big Library BAG SALE
Sat. 1/20 Bag Sale Finale of Library Book Sale. $5 per bag!
Sun. 1/26 Vera Meyer and Ben Franklin’s Glass Armonica at Marvin Chapel, Dean College at approximately 1:30 (check back closer to the date) Among Ben Franklin’s most amazing inventions is the glass armonica (or harmonica) , a series of concentric, rotating crystal glass bowls that can be played (think of the sound of wine glass rims being rubbed). Mozart and others composed music for it. And Boston area musician and expert Vera Meyer will return to Franklin for a performance featuring many styles of music [LISTEN TO SAMPLE HERE]. Don’t miss the haunting, ethereal, and beautiful sounds of the armonica at the Dean College Marvin Chapel (second floor of Dean Hall) FREE
Sun. 1/26. In conjunction with Vera Meyer’s Armonica concert, Dean College students performed Ben Franklin’s Dialogue, “Ben Franklin and the Gout” (watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLtx_S-wrqo)
Thurs. 1/30, Min Chen, Assistant Dean of Admissions at Boston’s Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, a 2-year college, which was begun with a bequest from Benjamin Franklin, will conduct back-to-back afternoon sessions for students at Franklin High School and Tri-County Vocational, sharing our common thread with Ben Franklin and the modern career programs available via commuter rail in Boston.
Thurs. 1/30 JUNTO A Non-Fiction Book Club at the Franklin Library Starts in January! (Inspired by Ben Franklin’s famous Philadelphia reading group, the Junto)! The first meeting is Thursday January 9th at 6:30PM. The January Book is Think Again by Adam Grant! Get a physical or digital copy through the Library Catalog!
Check back for updates and/or new events and activities
Press Questions or other Inquiries: contact Alan Earls alan.r.earls@gmail.com
BONUS: A Fiber event in Franklin through January!
The Franklin Friday Knitters’ outdoor yarn installation, “A Thank you to the
Library” was mounted in September 2024. This project was created by a group of women who have been meeting weekly for years in order to share their enthusiasm for knitting and crocheting.
Since 2018 the library has offered them a
welcoming place to sit and knit. To thank the library for this generosity and simultaneously promote fiber arts in the Franklin Cultural District, the group has
installed yarn “artwork” on the front lawn of the library. The exhibit consists of aerial yarn spinners surrounding the Ben Franklin courtyard, as well as yarn flowers planted in the garden surrounding the Ben Franklin statue. The centerpiece, the Ben Franklin statue itself, is clothed in a knitted hat, crocheted granny-square scarf and crocheted lace leggings.
A crocheted bookmark holds the place in his book. Knitted poppies adorn the railings leading up to the library front door and knitted chair backs decorate the two benches that flank the entrance. A large heart made of countless scraps of yarn hangs on the tree beside the entrance. The yarn for the entire project was all donated by area knitters and
is environmentally safe.