​​​​​​​​December and January, New and EVEN BIGGER dioramas of Franklin's Heart, built around the New York, New Haven and Harford Railroad, Circa 1932...​​

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The models include hundreds of structures in 1:87 scale (HO scale), tiny motor vehicles and people and an as yet unknown number of tiny pigeons(!), all modeled from photographs and architectural plans by master modeler Scott Mason.

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Exhibit closes January 31. See it before it's gone!​

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Sunday, Jan. 11, 1:15 pm

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Second Sunday Speaker Series:  “Dissecting the Dioramas”

Award winining historian Joe Landry will begin the talk at 1:15 with a deep dive into the backstory of some of the important structures illustrated in 3D in the Franklin in Miniature exhibit. He will explore the history that is still visible as well as some of the prior structures and enterprises that had already been swept aside by ‘progress’ in 1932. The second part of the presentation will feature, master modeler, and historian, Scott Mason, discussing the painstaking effort that went into creating his exact models – both the research and the craft work. The museum opens at 1 and closes at 4. Admission is free but donations are always appreciated.

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January is Ben Franklin Month in Franklin, honoring his birth month, connections to Franklin, and diverse interests and accomplishments. Most of the events this year are at the Franklin Public Library.

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Saturday, January 10

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▪ The January Community Concert at Franklin United Methodist Church features Vera Meyer on the glass armonica, shortly after 1 pm. This event is co-sponsored by the Franklin Historical Museum with funding from the Franklin Cultural Council. Free. Donations welcome.

• What is a glass armonica?  It is a musical instrument invented by, you guessed it, Ben Franklin! Check out this short video by Ken Burns. 

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▪"The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution", 4 pm. As part of the town’s annual Ben Franklin Month, Harvard Professor Joyce Chaplin will be at the Franklin Public Library to discuss her new book, The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution.  This event at the Franklin Public Library is co-sponsored by the Franklin Historical
Museum with funding from the Franklin Cultural Council.

[PLEASE CHECK THE LIBRARY WEBSITE TO VERIFY TIME AND LOCATION]

• Kirkus Reviews said: "Historian Chaplin focuses on Benjamin Franklin’s multiple renditions of an innovative stove to examine the intersection of scientific inquiry, race, class, politics, and economics at a time of climate change and resource depletion―a period, she underscores, not unlike our own.”

▪ Special Events for All Ages--Live Reading of the Franklin Autobiography, Thursday, January 15 @ 9:30am-7:30pm….A tradition returns home! Join us for a live reading of Ben Franklin's Autobiography at the Franklin Public Library. Everyone is welcome to read, listen, and comment on the life of our favorite Founding Father.

▪ Franklin as Composer w/ Metro-west Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, January 17 @ 11am -- Benjamin Franklin: statesman, entrepreneur, scientist… composer?! Yes, our beloved Ben even
dabbled in composing his own music. Join us to explore this aspect of our namesake with the help of the Metro-West Symphony Orchestra at the Franklin Public Library.

▪ Ben Franklin Birthday Bash, Saturday, January 17 @ 2pm Join us as we celebrate the birthday of Ben
Franklin himself! Music, games, and more at the Franklin Public Library.​​​​