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Ten days of art, culture, and fun at Artweek in Franklin, MA

Warren Reynolds — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 10:40:13 +0000

ArtWeek 2019 gets underway in Franklin, MA on Friday, April 26 and ends on Sunday, May 5. It’s part of the annual springtime celebration of the arts held across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“ArtWeek” is something of a misnomer: over the years, it has grown into ten days of events, shows, and activities in many participating Massachusetts communities.

Franklin Cultural District site of many ArtWeek events

This will be the first ArtWeek in Franklin with The Franklin Cultural District officially in place.

Full schedule of events

You can download the ten day schedule of ArtWeek events in Franklin via the hotlink at left or in the image below.

“Taste of ArtWeek” craft and food festival in Franklin Saturday, April 27

The first weekend of ArtWeek in Franklin, MA gets off to a fun start with live music, food, drink, and a craft fair this Saturday, April 27. It’s called the “Taste of ArtWeek” and is a new event in town. You can access a comprehensive review of all the scheduled events for the Taste of Artweek here or in the hotlink embedded in the image below.

This new event in Franklin runs from 4 PM to 8 PM on Saturday, and it will be held at the Franklin Town Common and the adjacent Hayward Manor.

It’s a grand opportunity to get outside, see and be seen, meet local crafters, and have a good time enjoying the warmer weather! You’ll be able to inspect and buy a variety of handmade crafts, decorations, jewelry, and artwork. There will be a juried crafts exhibition, food trucks, and a beer garden. (Wine will also be available for purchase.)

Purchase tickets on-line

You can purchase tickets for use at the food trucks and the beer garden on-line here or by following the hotlink in the image below.

Taste of Artweek supports good causes

The Taste of ArtWeek proceeds will benefit both the Random Smile Project charity and the Franklin Cultural Council.

If you can’t attend the Taste of Artweek event, you can make a donation to Random Smile here. And you can contact the FCC here to get involved in this important support for the arts and culture in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Here’s hoping the Taste of ArtWeek is a big success and becomes an annual event in town!

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Franklin Cultural District a milestone for Franklin, MA

Warren Reynolds — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 22:08:13 +0000

The designation of an official cultural district in Franklin, MA was recently announced by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC ). The new Franklin Cultural District should help advance the ongoing revitalization of the downtown area of Franklin by drawing more visitors and activity to downtown Franklin.

The approval of the district also entitles Franklin to funding and support from a range of state departments and programs that further the arts and historic preservation. In announcing the approval of the Franklin Cultural District, Franklin Cultural District Committee’s website quoted the MCC’s Executive Director Anita Walker as identifying the “Red Brick School, Franklin Historical Museum, and the Ray Memorial Building” as potential recipients of such funding and support.

Franklin Cultural District includes many cultural assets

The Franklin Cultural District is geographically extensive. It includes the downtown, Dean College, the town common, the High School and Oak Street Elementary/ Horace Mann Middle schools, the Union Street Cemetery and the former mill buildings on Fisher and Howard Streets.

This is a highly walkable district with many shops and eateries and interesting things to see.

Congratulations to the many town residents who worked hard to make the Franklin Cultural District a reality!

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New Mexican restaurant serves excellence in Franklin

Warren Reynolds — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 10:31:20 +0000

A new Mexican restaurant called the Santa Fe Burrito Grill has opened in downtown Franklin to long lines and rave reviews. Family owned and serving locally sourced foods, the Grill is located across from the Black Box Theater at the site of the former Rick’s Café at 28 West Central Street, Franklin, MA.

Great food at reasonable prices

The food is fresh and delicious! Having eaten a lot at Moe’s and Chipotle, I can confidently say that Santa Fe’s food is better and costs less!

Santa Fe’s food service is similar to Moe’s and Chipotle. You line up, place your order and your food is prepared right in front of you. A smart alternative is to order on-line.

The on-line ordering enabled me to bypass a very long ordering line one evening recently. A big time saver that makes take-out easy!

Pleasant, colorful interior

The Grill’s interior is clean and pleasant with vibrant, colors.

The Grill at 11:30 AM on a weekday

Tables and seating are on the utilitarian side (again, very reminiscent of Moe’s and Chipotle).

So check out the Santa Fe Burrito Grill, a welcome addition to the culinary scene in Franklin, MA!

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Downtown Franklin facelift’s striking success

Warren Reynolds — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:25:31 +0000

It took over two years and $7 million, but Downtown Franklin, MA’s road and streetscape remodeling project was worth the effort and inconvenience. For many long months in 2015 and 2016, construction equipment and road workers disrupted the downtown area. But now the “facelift” has Downtown Franklin looking great! The quickest way to show you the striking success of the enhancements to the downtown district of Franklin, Massachusetts is by this series of “before and after” photos:

Many changes and improvements, some obvious and others subtle

The most obvious change is the restoration of two way traffic in Downtown Franklin, MA to the portions of Main, Emmons and West Central Streets that had been one way for several decades.

Two way traffic has improved accessibility and seems to have beneficially slowed the speed of vehicular traffic. But just as important to the improvement of travel flow in the downtown district has been the creation of subtle “traffic calming” features to further slow vehicles and encourage pedestrian traffic.

These changes include brick crosswalks, curb extensions that narrow travel lanes, bollards and plantings, and variations in road surface textures.

All of these features deter aggressive, fast driving and make the downtown area more friendly to foot traffic . . . and they look good too!

Aesthetic enhancements increase appeal of downtown

The Downtown streetscape also now boasts new sidewalks with red brick aprons and handicap accessible curb cuts, new period lighting with attractive “Welcome to Franklin” and “Meet me in Downtown Franklin” banners, as well as new benches, bike stands and pleasant green spaces.

In a boon to shoppers, the annoying parking meters that used to dot the downtown are no more!

The many fairs and festivals held annually in Downtown Franklin will benefit from the inclusion of sources of electric power on Main Street.

In sum, the facelift to Downtown Franklin, Massachusetts have significantly improved the look and function of the downtown district. The improvements should help the ongoing revitalization of what can become again a shopping and services destination in town!

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How to avoid trouble with 2 way traffic in Downtown Franklin, MA

Warren Reynolds — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 12:06:30 +0000

It took a bit longer than originally expected, but two way traffic has finally become a reality in Downtown Franklin, MA.

The change in traffic patterns is part of an ongoing $7M+ road and streetcape improvement project aimed at transforming Franklin’s Downtown area. The goal is to make Downtown Franklin more shopper and pedestrian friendly. The work coincides with the development of Horace Mann Square, a new 7,000+ sq ft shopping complex currently being built at the corner of West Central and Emmons Streets.

Traffic routing changes to be aware of

Change can be difficult to adjust to, and Franklin residents are faced with adapting to some major alterations in how vehicles get to and through the heavily trafficked Downtown area. While these changes enable drivers to enjoy more convenient travel across Downtown Franklin, they also create at least a couple of potential traffic trouble spots for the unwary. So to help ease the adjustment process, below is an early take on the most important routing changes to which you’ll have to become accustomed.

Right turn from Main to West Central

Not only can you now travel south on Main Street, you can make a right turn from Main to West Central Street. This reverses the former direction of traffic on this very well know Downtown turn lane!

1st trouble spot for the unwary

However, since you now can turn right from Main Street onto westbound West Central Street, it only makes sense that you can no longer turn left onto Main St from the eastbound lane of West Central Street.

Seeing the new traffic flow on this turn lane can be disorienting to drivers on West Central Street; this is the biggest potential trouble spot to be aware of with the reconfigured traffic flow in the Downtown area!

2nd trouble spot for the unwary

Since you can’t turn left onto Main Street from eastbound West Central Street any more, it would seem to make sense to simply drive a 100 ft or so further east on West Central and make a U turn onto Main as you near Cottage Street, right?

You can’t do that . . . No U turns allowed!

So avoid getting into trouble – don’t attempt the U turn that the van in the photo above was caught making recently!

How do you get from West Central Street to Main Street?

If you find yourself scratching your head trying to figure out how to get onto Main Street from West Central, here’s one sensible (and legal) way to do it:

Simply head west on West Central, turn right on Emmons Street (that’s allowed now) and then turn right on Main – easy!

Work not complete, better signage coming

If you’re feeling aggravated or uncertain about how to deal with the new traffic flows in Downtown Franklin, you probably have a lot of company. Just keep in mind that change can be challenging, but often proves very beneficial. I suggest that over time, we’ll get used to the new traffic flows in Downtown Franklin, Massachusetts. Time, and some better directional signage that seems sure to be on tap, will make dealing with the new Downtown 2 way vehicle routing just like second nature!

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Family fun at Franklin Cultural Festival

Warren Reynolds — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:47:15 +0000

The Franklin Cultural Festival is a newcomer to the many annual festivals and fairs held in the Town of Franklin, MA. This week, the second annual Cultural Festival will enliven Downtown Franklin from July 27 through July 30, 2016. All four days will feature free entertainment and activities for all ages at various venues throughout the Downtown area. This is a wonderful opportunity to soak in some culture and show your support for the proposed Franklin Cultural District in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Events begin Wednesday, July 27 at 5 PM

The first day of fun begins at 5 PM this Wednesday at the Franklin Town Common. Highlights include arts related children’s activities (block printing, sidewalk chalk art and face painting),

and a live performance at the beloved Town Gazebo by Franklin’s own Electric Youth.

Later in that evening, head over to the Black Box Theater for a series of one act plays – admission is free!

Lots of fun on tap

There’s a boatload of entertainment and activities slated throughout the four day Franklin Cultural Festival in Franklin, Massachusetts!

Click on the hotlink in the image above to access an interactive schedule of all the days’ events and performances slated at this year’s Franklin Cultural Festival.

Thursday, July 28

On Thursday, events kick off at 5 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum,

where you can enjoy the sounds of The Fiddling Thomsons,

and take in the many interesting exhibits and artifacts documenting the industrial past and bygone days of Franklin, MA.

That same evening at the Town Common, you can partake in some Laughter Yoga,

and enjoy Shakespeare on the Common at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 29

On Friday, July 29, you get to go to the beautiful Auditorium at the $105M+ Franklin High School for a summer music performance starting at 11 AM.

There will also be a live rock music concert by the Kevin T Wolfe Band at the Sculpture Park on Panther Way at 6 PM and Shakespeare on the Common returns for another engagement at 8 PM at the Town Common.

Saturday, July 30

The Festival concludes on Saturday, July 30 with an extensive slate of events. Check the schedule (linked above and here) for all activities planned that day; highlights follow:

On Saturday, the action will be both inside The Black Box Theater at 15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA and outside in its large parking lot.

There will be live music inside and outside the theater all afternoon. The music will accompany the Taste of Franklin, where you’ll be able to sample food offerings from many local restaurants and eateries (nominal charges may apply). A series of free plays will be presented starting at 6:30 PM. Events continue right up to 10 PM, so plan for a late night of fun and entertainment!

Please attend the second annual Franklin Cultural Festival and help it grow into a wonderful Franklin tradition!

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Franklin Library opens at temporary home

Warren Reynolds — Mon, 02 May 2016 22:02:30 +0000

The Franklin Public Library has opened at its new temporary home at 25 Kenwood Circle, Franklin, MA.

The Library will be at the new facility on Kenwood Circle to at least until the summer of 2017 while a new addition is constructed at the permanent library building on Main Street. The addition and accompanying renovations to the permanent Franklin library building will greatly enhance the beautiful facility first put into service in the early 1900s.

Attractive, modern interior

The temporary library occupies approximately 8,000 sq ft of space in a large office park off of Grove Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

The staff I spoke with said the office space was essentially move in ready and that the Town of Franklin did not have to spend significant funds on modifications to accommodate the Library.

The above room looks to have been a dressing room for the studio which formerly occupied the office. The room now is a reading room with the counter becoming desk space with electric supply for laptops and other electronic devices.

The stacks area is functional, but clearly houses only a fraction of the full inventory of reading material owned by the Franklin Public Library system.

There’s a nice periodicals room . . .

. . . a cute children’s area . . .

. . . and a number of computer terminals.

Gallery of images of temporary Library

Here is a gallery showing more views of the new temporary Franklin Public Library . . .

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Old Franklin town hall razed

Warren Reynolds — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 20:21:51 +0000

It’s just a memory now! The old town hall building in Franklin, MA is now completely leveled, completing about 2 weeks of demolition work.

Site of the new Horace Mann Square

Once the site is cleared of residual debris, work can commence on the construction of Horace Mann Square, Franklin’s newest shopping plaza.

The Square will be a 7,900 square foot retail center with shops and office space. The economic benefits of the new shopping complex will compliment the facelift Downtown Franklin is getting from its ongoing $7M road and streetscape improvement project. When completed, the two capital improvements should help advance the downtown area’s continued evolution into a modern and vibrant shopping, service and entertainment destination.

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Franklin Library moving to temporary new home

Warren Reynolds — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 17:19:19 +0000

The Franklin Town Library will be closed for the next 3 weeks as it moves to a temporary location in a local industrial park. The move is part of a $10m+ renovation and expansion project that will transform the facility by the middle of 2017. The Library will be closed from April 11, 2016 through May 1, 2016 and reopen to the public on May 2 at 25 Kenwood Circle, Franklin MA.

The Library will likely remain at the Kenwood address until at least the middle of 2017 while the existing library facilities at 118 Main Street undergo an extensive facelift.

Historic 1904 library building getting $10M+ of improvements

The beautiful Public Library is one of the architectural gems of Franklin, Massachusetts and is being enhanced, NOT torn down (!)

A reminder of the days when Franklin was a hub of the Industrial Revolution in America, the Library building was a gift to the town by a wealthy industrialist family which had amassed its fortune operating factories in Franklin. The classic Greek temple exterior is surpassed only by the impressive interior featuring beautiful murals. You can learn more about the first-in-the-nation Franklin Public Library and its ties to Ben Franklin here.

Renovations and a large addition will take over a year

Among other upgrades, the mechanical systems serving the library facility (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and fire suppression) will be replaced with completely new components.

The most exciting change will come with a large new addition to the building which will bring the overall complex into the 21st century. Below are floor plans of the new wing being added to the Franklin Public Library in Franklin, MA along with concept images of alternative facades and select interior features.

The year’s worth of construction will pass quickly and the revitalized and expanded Library will be well worth the inconvenience of the Library’s temporary home in the industrial environs of Kenwood Circle. Here’s to our upcoming new and improved Public Library in 2017!

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New shopping complex coming to downtown Franklin

Warren Reynolds — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 12:37:54 +0000

A new 7,900 square foot shopping venue will soon be taking its place in downtown Franklin. The complex of shops will be call Horace Mann Square and will be located at the corner of West Central and Emmons Streets in the heart of the downtown area of Franklin, MA.

Future site of Horace Mann Square shown in yellow.

Demolition of former Town Hall underway

The shopping center will occupy the site of the former Franklin Town Hall.

A chain link fence with windscreen has been installed around to perimeter of the property.

Demolition of the old building has just begun.

Plan of Horace Mann Square

Horace Mann Square is slated to be a one story commercial building with retail stores and offices. The possibility of a bank with drive-through facilities appears to have been nixed by town officials. The new shopping complex will join the surprisingly abundant and diverse array of retailers and service providers in Franklin, MA that enhance the lives of town residents. There’s whole a lot of shopping in and around Franklin, Massachusetts!

It’s good to see a 37 car parking area is included in the Horace Mann Square plan. This will reduce the number of shoppers parking in other lots and street side in the downtown area.

Statue of Horace Mann

There are also plans to place a bronze statue of the famous early American educational reformer and Franklin native Horace Mann on the property. The Mann statue will be erected near the head of the intersection of West Central and Emmons Streets.

Horace Mann, MA State House.

Although the statue has not yet been commissioned, the existing statue of Horace Mann at the Massachusetts State House may give us some idea of how the Mann statue may look in Franklin, MA.

Learn more about Franklin, Massachusetts

Franklin offers home buyers many fine neighborhoods of single family homes, a broad range of condo communities, great schools, and lots of youth sports and recreational resources. Franklin, MA makes commuting easier with TWO commuter rail stations in town and TWO interchanges on I-495. If you’re looking at buying a home in the I-495 region, Franklin, MA is a wonderful choice!

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