The Franklin Township Historical Society has been an important part of our township for the last 50 years, supplying facts, photos, books, articles, historical and genealogical information, material for township teachers and educators, and a museum of physical objects from the last 200 years of our township’s history. But now the Society needs room to grow in order to continue its important service in our township. We have started an Expansion Project Fund to make growth opportunities possible, and we would love your support.
Our mission to preserve our Meeting House, the 1871 Big Run Baptist Church (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), and to preserve the detailed history of Franklin Township takes commitment, energy, money, and space. As our township grows, thanks to our excellent school system, community days in Acton and Wanamaker, our local businesses, and the work of the Flagle Trust to revitalize Wanamaker, our history itself grows every day. As time passes, we find ourselves the custodians of not just early township history, but its continuing story, along with the ephemera, photographs, and artifacts that document it.
Simply put, we are out of room in our Meeting House museum. The Historical Society receives many requests to accept important and historic township items, but we simply don’t have the space in our 154-year-old building. Currently the overflow is housed in barns, garages, basements, and living rooms. Many of these spaces do not allow for the kind of temperature and humidity control required to preserve materials in optimal condition. We also want to be able to create additional displays and present educational programming on our grounds, and–let’s face it–we’d love to have running water and toilet facilities onsite, too!
Please consider partnering with us in our effort to expand. We have the opportunity to acquire the property immediately adjacent to the Meeting House, with its 1930s house and excellent garage, and we also have plans drawn up for a new building north of the Meeting House on our property. But doing either of these things will take more money than we currently have. We have set an initial fundraising goal of $300,000 to take the initial steps toward making one or both of these expanded facilities a reality.
We are grateful for ALL contributions, regardless of size! The Historical Society is 501(c)(3) organization and your gifts are tax deductible. Tax receipts are available upon request.
In addition, if you wish to leave a visible legacy or to honor someone with a memorial gift, we have some special giving opportunities available:
- Contributor ($100-$199) – Receive a small thank-you gift from the FTHS
- Supporter ($200 – $999) – Your name or designated recipient’s name will be engraved on a permanent commemorative brick used in our project landscaping
- Partner ($1,000 – $4,999) – Your name or designated recipient’s name will be engraved on a donor plaque inside our new facility
- Legacy ($5,000 – $9,999) – Your name or designated recipient’s name will be honored on a large granite stone to be displayed on our grounds
- Patron ($10,000 – $49,999) – Your name or designated recipient’s name will be engraved on a wall plaque in an area of your choice within the new facility
- Founder ($50,000+) – Primary sponsors of the expanded facilities will be recognized with your name or designated recipient’s name on a permanent exterior plaque mounted at the main entrance of the expanded facility
Thank you so much for your interest. For more information about the Franklin Township Historical Society’s Expansion Project, or if you would like to talk with one of us about this project, you can email us at info@fths.org or contact us by postal mail at Franklin Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 39015, Indianapolis, Indiana 46239. Donations can be made via cash, check (payable to Franklin Township Historical Society), ACH, or credit card. You can reach FTHS Treasurer Ann Hansen at (317) 432-7037.
Again, thank you for your interest and support!
Make your tax-deductible donation now!