Johnson County Museum of History: Pioneer Heritage in Franklin
The Johnson County Museum of History occupies the historic and stately Masonic Temple building in Franklin, Indiana, the county seat of Johnson County and a suburb of Indianapolis. Aside from an enormous collection of historic memorabilia, this multi-storied museum houses an art gallery, a genealogy library, a gift shop, a meeting room and an auditorium.
It was the local Daughters of the American Revolution group that originally opened the Johnson County Museum of History back in 1931. Before that time, during the centennial celebration of Johnson County in 1923, historical exhibits were displayed in store windows, since there was no museum.
Today, the museum is a hub of activity, attracting all the communities in the county, including Bargersville, Edinburgh, Franklin, Greenwood, New Whiteland, Whiteland, Princes Lakes and Trafalgar, as well as their neighboring burgs.
The Johnson County Historical Society maintains the museum facility today, and keeps up an excellent genealogy library. This group also arranges ongoing activities and educational programs for the public. To that end, the Historical Society also regulates a membership program and screens donations.
Video profile of two volunteers at the Johnson County Museum of History in Franklin, Indiana
The staff of the Johnson County Museum of History offers tours of the facility’s exhibit galleries. Some of these displays are truly unique walk-through environments set up to mimic authentic scenes from life in bygone times. There’s a reproduction of a Victorian parlor, for example, authentic down to the flowered wallpaper, and containing some extraordinary period pieces, including an ornate pump organ of the time.
Genealogy is quite a popular hobby these days, and the Johnson County Museum of History’s genealogy library is a popular destination, housing records from as far back as 1823. Their genealogical collection is one of the best in the state of Indiana.
Johnson County Museum of History
135 N Main St
Franklin, IN 46131
317.346.4500
Fax: 317.736.5451
Alt: 317.346.4501
http://www.johnsoncountymuseum.org/
