Middletown Community Foundation awards grant to FAHS

Middletown Community Foundation awarded Franklin Area Historical Society $15,900 for phase one of a project to expand the Society's office space in the Harding Museum.

Members of the MCF's staff and board presented a giant check (and a smaller one to take to the bank) to Society staff and board members on August. 6.

Our house museum is just that – a house – built in the early 1900s, and it did not include an office. We currently use what was the building’s original breakfast room as an office (121 square feet). It's overcrowded and has no room for a worktable or space to spread out a project or do research. We plan to enclose the adjacent, unused, screened porch to expand the office space, increasing the usable space by 79%. Because our building is historically significant, work on the porch must be in keeping with the architectural features of the rest of the house.

We are gratified by MCF's support of our vision and look forward to getting started on this exciting project.

Murder Mystery October 24

Calling you Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys wannabes! Can you and the other guests solve a whodunit? 

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 24, 6 to 8 p.m., for a Murder Mystery.

Preregistration is required. Tickets must be purchased individually so we can contact you personally to provide details about your character. Ages 18+, please.

Participants are limited to 18. Costumes are encouraged, but not mandatory.



Light refreshments will be served. Registration deadline is October 1.

Register online via Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/murder-mystery--2026-4

Questions? Email franklinohhistory@gmail.com.

Harding Circle Membership

Franklin Area Historical Society Introduces New Harding Circle Membership with Nationwide Museum Benefits

The Franklin Area Historical Society (FAHS) is proud to announce the launch of its new Harding Circle Membership, a premier membership level designed for individuals who wish to make a lasting investment in preserving Franklin's rich history while enjoying benefits that extend far beyond the city.

The Harding Circle Membership includes annual membership in the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, providing members with reciprocal admission privileges at more than 1,560 participating museums, botanical gardens, arboretums, historic homes, and cultural institutions throughout the United States, Canada, Bermuda, El Salvador, and Mexico.

How it works: Join or renew your Franklin Area Historical Society membership at the Harding Circle level ($100/pp annually) and receive reciprocal admission to hundreds of cultural institutions. See paragraph above. Learn more about NARM. If you like to visit museums and other cultural institutions, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars annually.

More 2026 Events

FAHS has more events on the 2026 calendar.

Worldwide Day of Play: Sat., Sept. 26, Noon to 5 p.m., Harding Museum. This event is organized nationally by the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) and Nickelodeon. It's designed to engage kids in device-free play and to enjoy toys and activities from the past. Image courtesy of Association of Children's Museum.

Cemetery Tours: Join one of three guided tours of several sections of Woodhill Cemetery to learn about historic and militarily-significant graves there. This event will require preregistration and a small fee. Ages 16+, please. Registration will open soon.

Thurs., Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.

Historic Holiday Home Tour: Sunday, December 13, 1 to 5 p.m. Many details to be announced. Tour homes decorated for the holidays. $25 pp. Tour will begin at the Harding Museum.

Partnership with the Miami Tribe

Members of the FAHS staff and board recently met with Logan York, who is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. He holds a degree in Anthropology from Miami University and works to protect culturally significant ancestral lands and artifacts. He serves as a member of the Ohio Historic Preservation Advisory Board and represented the Miami Nation at the UN delegation for the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

Mr. York has agreed to share information and provide education resources to FAHS and to Franklin City Schools. A follow-up meeting is scheduled with him on August 18. We will share more information as it is available.

Memories of Franklin in the 50s and 60s

FAHS hosted the Northwest Warren County Chamber of Commerce's Women's Networking Group (FEWL) on July 22.

About 20 guests enjoyed networking, refreshments, and touring the space. FAHS member Amy Bridge shared some memories of Franklin with the group.

We thought you might enjoy this walk down memory lane.

History Exchange

History lovers: Late summer and fall are the perfect time to experience the rich history of our region. The History Exchange brings together 15 museums and historical societies from across the tri-state to offer unique programs, special events, and educational experiences in celebration of America's 250th birthday.

From outdoor activities and family programs to exhibits and evening lectures, there's no shortage of ways to learn, explore, and have fun. Click this link to find an event near you! Check these out: https://tinyurl.com/HExchange-2

Memberships and Donations

Thank you for memberships, memorials, and donations: Josh Clifford (new member), Cindy Banks, Robert Lipps, Beverly Wolfe, and Tonya Hittner.

Have you renewed or would you like to join? It's easy to do it online!

2026 Officers and Directors

President: Diana Buchanan-Lovett

Vice President: Steve Peters

Secretary: Tom Wiggershaus

Treasurer: Robin Kendrick

Membership secretary: Ron Edwards

Past President: Peggy Darragh-Jeromos

Directors: Robyn Donisi, Ron Edwards, Janet Pursley Hollingsworth, Ben Kendrick, Mary Nenninger, Kaylee Raines, and Kristy Kinder York.

Museum manager: Julie Kellis. Julie is the contact for anything related to either museum. To reach her, call (937) 746-8295 or email franklinohhistory@gmail.com.

Museums' Hours

The Harding Museum is open on Friday from 10 to 3. Come see us!

The Log Post Office is open several Saturdays per month. Watch our Facebook page for details about open times.

Admission to both museums is free, thanks to a generous donation from one of our members.

Watch our Facebook page for news about our hours.

Kroger Rewards!



Kroger shoppers: The Kroger Family of Companies is committed to community engagement, positive social impact, and charitable giving at the national and local levels.

One of the ways Kroger does this is via the Kroger Community Rewards program. This program makes fundraising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do every day. Please consider linking your card to Franklin Area Historical Society. Once you link your Card to FAHS, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card.  

Read more here about how to sign up.

Free admission!

There is no charge to visit either the Harding Museum or the Log Post Office, thanks to a generous, anonymous donation.