AboutAbout the Society
Vision
A community relies on its collective memory, from which members enrich their lives, refresh their sense of direction, and teach their children. The Franklin County House of History will strengthen community memory by supporting all efforts in Franklin County to preserve and interpret its history.
Mission
The mission of the Franklin County Historical and Museum Society is to initiate, promote and coordinate educational programs primarily for the benefit of residents and visitors in Franklin County, and to encourage and facilitate research into the life and history of the area.
To achieve its mission, the FCHMS will:
- Collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret materials relevant to the history of Franklin County.
- Use media such as exhibits, programs, and publications to stimulate interest in Franklin County history.
- Develop programmatic partnerships with educational, governmental, and community groups to help the people of the county to enrich their lives, refresh their sense of direction, and teach their children.
- Increase the Society's resources through a growing membership and financial development.
- Support the preservation of the built environment of Franklin County that has historic significance.
The Society
The Society received its charter and became incorporated in 1903, and was reincorporated in 1963.
The House of History
The headquarters of the Society are located at 51 Milwaukee Street in Malone, NY. This building is called the “Franklin House of History” and contains period rooms, collections storage, a research library, and museum offices.
Original records show that the House is located on land once owned by Judge Hiram Horton. He sold the land to his daughter Adeline Holley for $500. In 1863, the land was purchased by Mr. Nathan Knapp, who built the present structure in 1863-1864.
The Tuscan-style brick home was purchased from the Kirk family in 1973, and has housed the Society's museum collection, records and daily operations since that time.
Franklin County Historian
The Franklin County Historical and Museum Society has been appointed by the County Legislators of Franklin County to act as County Historian for Franklin County. Mr. Terry DeCarr, Society Trustee and President 2004-2005, will assume the duties of Franklin County Historian as of November 1, 2005.
Volunteers
Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Generous members of the community give of their time and talent to staff the museum and library, conduct tours, teach crafts, organize special events and edit publications. Many of our retired volunteers serve through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. We also have a volunteer Board of Directors. If you are interested in volunteering, give us a call.
We are currently in need of volunteers in the following areas:
- Gardening / Landscaping
- Genealogy library researchers and assistants
- Tour guides
- Fouth grade school program demonstrators in weaving, broom making, and spinning
- Indexing and data entry
