Franklin Township Historical Society

Open Hours at Meeting House
2022-03-20 14:00 - 16:00, 2022-03-05 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Our building is open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month, March through October. Stop by for a visit!

Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration
2021-12-12 18:00 - 19:30 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us for our annual holiday celebration! Come to the Meeting House for Christmas carols accompanied by our original antique pump organ, holiday history and stories, candle luminaria lining the walkway, cookies and punch… and quite possibly a visit from old St. Nicholas himself! Please park at the south end of The Creek’s paved lot next door in order to reserve our gravel lot for handicapped and limited-mobility parking.
To keep everyone safe this holiday season, face masks are required for anyone over 2 years of age. Thank you for your cooperation.

Holiday Members' Outing: Lunch & Irvington Historical Society Visit
2021-12-04 11:30 - 14:00
Join us on Saturday, December 4 for lunch and a visit to the Irvington Historical Society, housed in the lovely Bona Thompson Memorial building. The Memorial was built in 1902 as the Butler University Library and was funded by Bona’s parents in memory of their daughter who had died not long after graduating from Butler University, which at that time was located in Irvington.
Attendees will meet for lunch as a group at 11:30 a.m. at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, 5646 E. Washington Street, before visiting the Irvington Historical Society. Those not wishing to lunch beforehand are welcome to go directly to the Bona Memorial (5350 E. University Avenue), which opens at 1 p.m. There will be a Christmas display in addition to the Irvington Historical Society’s usual wide array of exhibits. There are stairs into the building, but an elevator is available from the east entrance. Please bring a face mask in case of public health restrictions in place at the time of our visit.
Advance registration is requested so that we can give a head count to the restaurant when reserving space for our group. RSVP by November 30 to franklintownshiphistory@gmail.com. Carpooling is recommended to simplify parking; please let us know when you RSVP whether you would like to carpool or will be driving separately.
There is no charge for this event other than whatever you spend for lunch.

The Black Dress & Other Stories
2021-10-21 18:30 - 19:30 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us in October for spooky legends around a fire!
Bring a lawn chair to the Meeting House parking lot, 6510 S. Franklin Rd, at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21st (please park next door at the south end of The Creek’s lot) to hear seasonal ghostly stories around a wood fire! Free event. Marshmallows and roasting sticks provided. Since this is an outdoor event, it will not take place if it’s significantly raining. Check our Facebook page for any updates about last-minute cancellation.

Open Hours at Meeting House
2021-10-17 13:00 - 16:00, 2021-10-02 13:00 - 16:00, 2021-09-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2021-09-04 13:00 - 16:00, 2021-08-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2021-07-18 13:00 - 16:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Open Hours at the Historical Society Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, are held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the first Saturday and the third Sunday of each month, March through October. There is no charge to visit.

Sesquicentennial Celebration
2021-08-07 13:00 - 16:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
The Franklin Township Historical Society Meeting House (the former Big Run Baptist Church) was built in 1871 and hence is 150 years old this year, and we are planning a Sesquicentennial Celebration! The building is listed on the National Historic Register. Join us at 6510 S. Franklin Rd on Aug. 7th from 1 to 4 p.m. for refreshments, pump organ concert, special exhibits, remarks from area pioneer descendant William Maze, a Big Run Cemetery walking tour, history presentations, and more! Free event. Join us.

Trolley to Lunch and a Movie!
2021-07-23 11:50 - 16:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Our Historical Society is pleased to offer a special package in connection with the Historic Artcraft Theatre’s July 23rd 2:00 pm showing of Ma & Pa Kettle Back on the Farm, starring Acton Indiana’s very own Marjorie Main!
Our event costs just $12 and will give attendees transportation in a trolley down scenic backroads from our Meeting House to the theatre (with time for lunch before the film, the Main & Madison Market Cafe is right across the street), and a movie ticket, popcorn and soft drink at the theatre, plus an optional interpretative visit to the theatre’s original 1922 projection booth, before riding the trolley back to the Meeting House. Trolley will depart the Meeting House parking lot at noon, and will return attendees to that same location about 4 p.m. Reservations are required and may be purchased here on our website, FTHS.org. Have questions? Need other purchase options? Email FranklinTownshipHistory@gmail.com. The movie’s not ‘til July, but be sure to buy your tickets now so that you don’t miss out on the fun!

Rummage Sale Day
2021-07-10 08:00 - 14:00
Our popular fundraiser Rummage Sale will again be held at the Civic League building, 8822 Southeastern Ave. Donation drop-off will be July 9th from noon to 6 p.m. (donation tax receipts will be available). The sale itself will be July 10th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. No early sales. We accept household goods, antiques, toys, tools, books, entertainment media, collectibles, furniture, etc., but no clothing, except for specialty antique or vintage items.

Rummage Sale Donation Drop Day
2021-07-09 12:00 - 18:00

Open Hours at the Meeting House
2021-06-20 13:00 - 16:00, 2021-06-05 13:00 - 16:00 | FTHS Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Visit to Waterman's building
2021-06-14 11:00 - 13:00
Those interested in a tour of the interior of the 1880s H.A. Waterman Company building at 7006 Southeastern Ave will have that opportunity on Monday June 14th at 11:00 a.m. This building housed a blacksmith shop, a carriage works, automobile shop, hardware store, and other things before its current function as a mower repair facility. There is no charge for the tour, but those planning to attend should RSVP to FranklinTownshipHistory@gmail.com. Take note that there are stairs involved should you decide to visit the second floor of the building.
