Old Settlers Day 2024
2024-06-30 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis)
Join us June 30 at Old Settlers Day, Wanamaker’s annual street fair! We’ll have a booth on Southeastern Avenue with our memberships, publications, and more available for purchase. Stop by to check out our special offers!

Open Hours
2024-07-06 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-21 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-03 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-07 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-10-05 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-10-20 14:00 - 16:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Our Meeting House is open to the public from 2 to 4 PM on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month, March through October. Admission to the building is free. Come in and browse our collection of artifacts, purchase our publications (or collect items purchased online for local pickup), or use our genealogy information for research.

Marjorie Main screening: Ma & Pa Kettle Go To Town
2024-07-20 11:30 - 16:30 | The Historic Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St., Franklin, IN, 46131, United States
The Franklin Township Historical Society will sponsor the comedy Ma & Pa Kettle Go to Town, starring Acton-born actress Marjorie Main, at The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana.

Join us on a trolley ride to Franklin on Saturday, July 20 to have lunch and see the film. Your event ticket includes the trolley ride to and from Franklin, film admission, movie popcorn and fountain drink, plus a booklet about Marjorie Main and a copy of From Indian Trails to Interstates, a short history of Franklin Township. (Your lunch purchase and additional theatre concessions are not included in event ticket.)

Tickets are $32 per person and MUST be purchased in advance. Due to trolley size, ticket quantities are strictly limited. Purchase tickets here.
Those attending should meet at the Meeting House (6510 S. Franklin Rd.) at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. The trolley will not wait for late arrivals.

The Franklin Township Historical Society will sponsor the comedy Ma & Pa Kettle Go to Town, starring Acton-born actress Marjorie Main, at The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana.

Join us on a trolley ride to Franklin on Saturday, July 20 to have lunch and see the film. Your event ticket includes the trolley ride to and from Franklin, film admission, movie popcorn and fountain drink, plus a booklet about Marjorie Main and a copy of From Indian Trails to Interstates, a short history of Franklin Township. (Your lunch purchase and additional theatre concessions are not included in event ticket.)

Tickets are $32 per person and MUST be purchased in advance. Due to trolley size, ticket quantities are strictly limited. Purchase tickets here.
Those attending should meet at the Meeting House (6510 S. Franklin Rd.) at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. The trolley will not wait for late arrivals.

Franklin Road Library display: On the Campaign Trail
2024-09-03 - 2024-09-30 | Franklin Road Library Branch, 5550 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46239, United States
Stop in to the Franklin Road library branch during the month of September to see our display of historic election memorabilia. Whether you Liked Ike or wanted Ross for Boss, you’ll enjoy seeing some artifacts from the last century of races for political office.

Big Run Cemetery Tour
2024-09-07 14:30 - 15:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us September 7 at 2:30PM for a free guided tour of Big Run Cemetery, the graveyard that belonged to the Big Run Baptist Church (now our Meeting House). You’ll learn about some of the pioneers buried there, as well as the iconography of the gravestones. After the tour, stay and explore our collections in the Meeting House for the remainder of Open Hours.
Arrive any time before 2:30 and park at the Meeting House. Guides will stop traffic on Franklin Road for the tour group to cross the road. Note that some walking will be on uneven ground.

Ghost Stories at the Meeting House
2024-10-17 18:00 - 19:30 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Do you enjoy spooky legends and unsolved mysteries? Bring a lawn chair and sit around the campfire to listen to seasonal ghostly stories, including some that took place right in Franklin Township! This event is free to the public. Marshmallows and roasting sticks will be provided.
This event will be held outdoors in the Meeting House parking area. Car parking is next door at the south end of The Creek’s parking lot (you can walk across on the grass between the two properties; there is no need to walk on the road). Since this is an outdoor event, it will not take place if it’s raining significantly. Check our Facebook page for any updates about last-minute cancellation.

Harvest Dinner 2024
2024-11-02 12:00 - 15:00 | Grace Church, 5605 S. Franklin Rd., Indianapolis, IN, 46239, United States
The Historical Society’s annual Harvest Dinner, with its delicious turkey dinner, special entertainment, history presentation, silent auction, door prizes, and more, will be Saturday, November 2 at 12 p.m. The event will be held at Grace Church, 5605 S. Franklin Rd. This year’s catered meal includes a turkey entrée plus two vegetables, salad, dinner rolls, dessert, and beverages. We will again enjoy a concert by Franklin Central High School’s Chamber Choir, which last year received a standing ovation! Attendees can get a jump on their holiday shopping by bidding on gift baskets and local specialties in the Silent Auction. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here, or by sending a check to FTHS, P.O. Box 39015, Indianapolis, IN 46239. Please include the name of each person for whom you are purchasing a ticket. Have questions? Email us at info@fths.org.
ALL TICKET ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 29.

Christmas in Wanamaker 2024
2024-12-07 08:00 - 15:00 | Aadvanced Limousine, 8614 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, 46239
Join the community fun Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy Wanamaker’s annual holiday tradition! The Historical Society is offering books—including some holiday gift sets with special pricing!—as well as memberships, yearbooks, limited-edition couch throws featuring the township’s historic buildings, and our Christmas ornaments.

Christmas at the Meeting House 2024
2024-12-08 18:00 - 19:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us for our annual holiday celebration at the Meeting House! Sing carols accompanied by the building’s original Victorian pump organ, learn a bit of Christmas tradition history, and enjoy punch and cookies while exploring our recently added exhibits.
For this event only, the Meeting House lot is reserved for handicapped-accessible parking. General parking is next door at the south end of The Creek’s lot. There will be a lighted path to cross on the grass between the facilities.

Open Hours
2025-05-03 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-07 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-20 14:00 - 16:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
The Meeting House will be open to visitors from 2 to 4 p.m.

Open Hours
2025-08-17 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-09-06 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-09-21 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-07 14:00 - 16:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Our Meeting House and museum, the former Big Run Baptist Church, is located at 6510 S. Franklin Road. It is open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month, March through October. Admission is free, though donations are gratefully accepted!

Spooky Stories & S'mores at the Meeting House
2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us for a festive storytelling event! Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Toast a marshmallow over a fire while listening to some spooky stories of ghosts and strange happenings from Franklin Township — including the true tale of our famous Black Dress! Plus (weather permitting) we’ll cross the street take an educational walk through the Big Run Cemetery. Learn the significance of the symbols on the tombstones and hear about the mourning and burial traditions of centuries past. This event is child-friendly, and costumes are welcome! S’more ingredients and roasting sticks will be provided.
If you are able to walk across the grass, please park at the south end of the Creek’s parking lot next door, as part of the Meeting House lot will be used for the fire circle. Please reserve the limited Meeting House parking for those with mobility concerns.

Harvest Dinner
2025-11-01 12:00 - 16:00 | Grace Church, 5605 S. Franklin Rd., Indianapolis, IN, 46239, United States
Join us for our annual meeting and Harvest Dinner, which includes a catered meal, a history talk, a performance by the Franklin Central Chamber Choir, and our silent auction!
This year’s Harvest Dinner is generously sponsored by The Auto Center.

Christmas at the Meeting House 2025
2025-12-14 18:00 - 19:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
