The Franklin County Historical
Society (FCHS) began when an interested group began to realize that many
mementoes associated with our early area were rapidly disappearing,
especially early agricultural equipment. After several meetings of
various groups, an organization was formed which became to be called the
FCHS, February 29, 1968.
A board was appointed, consisting of one member from each of the 16
townships in the county and one or more members from each town. This
set-up gave us a countywide interest.
We had no home, but lots of enthusiasm. Several things sparked interest.
In 1970, the county decided to renovate the Court House. Many records
were microfilmed and many of the original books and records were given
to the society. A general house cleaning yielded more historical records
and mementoes. We received some of the original furniture: tables, a
desk, bookcases, etc.
Dr. Donald Benge gave a building to the Society. The inside was
renovated, display cases and shelves added, and we moved in October 5,
1976. People and families gave us things of historical significance
because they were displayed and preserved. Soon we were bulging at the
seams.
An Open House was held on Sunday, November 7, 1976 from 1:00 to 6:00
P.M. A new sign was put up in front of the Society Museum on November 9,
1976. At the Annual Meeting a Treasurer’s Report was given and 2 antique
chairs dating back to 1859 were donated and are still on display at the
present Museum.
May 1981 a permit was issued to the Franklin County Historical Society
for $32,000 to construct a metal pole building. The Historical Society
accepted a bid from Henning Construction for $70,596.00 and construction
was underway. At the same time the Society began selling annual and
lifetime memberships.
In 1982, a steel building was built at the Fairgrounds on land leased to
us by the Franklin County Fair Association. We received a $50,000 grant
and the County Supervisors allowed us a small mileage levy. We sold our
first building. We now had a large display room, office, library and
reference room, cleaning room and toilets, air conditioning and heating.
The rear of the building was used for machinery. It was unheated, but
closed to the weather. Moving day, was in April 1982. The building was
officially opened Saturday, May 29, 1982. On September 14, 1982, a
tornado hit the Fairgrounds on a Saturday evening. The new Historical
Building was severely damaged; a wall and the roof were ripped apart.
A big project was taken on in 1979 when it was decided to restore the
Old Stone House on the Geneva black top. A committee was named and a
fund drive was held. Jackson Tuck Pointing was contracted to restore the
exterior. With additional local volunteer help, the building was put on
the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979. Built in the 1850’s,
the Leander Reeve house began to assume its original appearance. June 9,
1985 was a jubilant day as a formal opening and program was held.
Friends and neighbors viewed the results with pride and affection.
In 1985 Rock Island’s dilapidated depot was sold to us for a dollar. It
was moved across the street to the Franklin County Fairgrounds and a
major renovation was needed. Again. An enthused group of members
labored. In 1987 the Fair Association leased to the Historical Society a
place south of the museum to place the depot. Using old brick, a paved
walkway and platform were laid in front of the depot. A Semaphore Tower
was erected, rails laid, crossing signals erected, the interior
redecorated and restored and a caboose was added. It is a place for
railroad artifacts. The caboose was received from Dean Martin of
Waterloo; many volunteer hours were given to restore it.
The old ticket office building for the County Fair at the north gate was
given to the society. Again, volunteers were on hand to repair and
renovate. The interior is used to display old tools, wrenches and early
implements. Outside, on the drive, more early machinery is displayed and
old engines and motors have a place to demonstrate their workings. A
windmill was erected in this area.
May 26, 1988, the Seabee Corporation donated the R.E.C. Generating Plant
south of Hampton to the Franklin County Historical Society.
July 20, 1992 homemade ice cream was being made with gasoline engines
powering ice cream freezers. The Historical Society sold ice cream to
raise money for Pleasant Hill, a century town to be built on the
Fairgrounds. The seed was planted for Pleasant Hill Village and in the
Village Buildings are many historical artifacts. The Village is a joint
effort of the Historical Society, Village Committee and Fair Board. It
continues to grow every year.
January 6, 1993 a 1866 Campbell Newspaper Press was given to the Museum.
In 1994 an addition was built on the Museum to make room for a 4-H and
FFA room and a Military room. This addition was sponsored by the 4-H and
FFA.
January 1, 2002 the Harriman-Nielsen property became part of the museum
holdings. The Franklin County Historical Society was given the historic
Hampton home and acreage. Nielsene Nielsen, who died in January 2001,
left the Harriman-Nielsen Home to the Historical Society. Dr. Oscar
Harriman, a pioneer physician in the area, built the home in 1881.
Nielsen’s father later operated a dairy on the farm. The property is on
the National Register of Historic Places. Restoration ideas include
restoring the barn, orchard, adding gardens and using the farmland in
interpretive ways. |
