About the Franconia Heritage Museum

In 1997, the Franconia Heritage Council accepted responsibility for managing the Brooks collection of 1,500 artifacts for the town of Franconia. An 1880 Victorian house near the center of town was purchased with a generous donation from the trust fund of Sarah Nelson Welch, the last owner/compiler of the artifacts. Since the opening of the Museum in 1998, the collection has grown to nearly 10,000 items. Financial contributions from a growing Museum membership and the ongoing efforts of volunteers have allowed the Museum to open for the season every Memorial Day since.

The Museum is a late 1800s farmhouse in Victorian fashion, with winter and summer kitchens, a parlor with a working Victrola, and an attached barn with artifacts, period tools, and farm implements. Every two years (or so), the Board presents an exhibit of collected materials showcasing historical area subject matter or prominent individuals. Our 2024 Exhibit, which opens May 25, 2024 is titled “Stitches in Time”, and showcases 46 Signature Quilt Squares created by Franconia area ladies between 1876-1895, and recently discovered in the attic of Franconia’s Pinestead Farm.

Upstairs in the Museum is a library, a collection of family files and artifacts, and a research room for use by the public.

The Museum is located at 553 Main Street in Franconia and is open on Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm and by appointment from Memorial Day weekend thru Columbus Day weekend.

Board of Directors: Franconia Area Heritage Council
Jeff Bartlett, President

Mary-Jo Opalinski, Vice President

Phil Krill, Treasurer

Alyssa Sherburn, Recording Secretary

Kay Whitcomb, Corresponding Secretary

Timothy Brown, Sara Daley, Shepherd Holcombe, Bob Desimone, Ted Cammann

Emeritus: Dot Wiggins, Nancy Heinemann, Amy Kelly, Amy Bahr