Johnson County Museum of History, Historical museum in Franklin, Indiana.
Johnson County Museum of History is a museum in Franklin, Indiana housed in a former Masonic Temple that displays Native American artifacts, pioneer settlements, Victorian life, and military history. The site also features an 1830s log cabin on the adjacent property that illustrates frontier living conditions.
The museum was founded in 1931 by the Daughters of the American Revolution to preserve local history and family records. Its building, originally constructed as a Masonic Lodge from 1922 to 1924, became the museum's permanent home in 1989 after decades at the county courthouse.
The collections reflect how Native American communities, settlers, and later residents shaped the identity of Johnson County through their daily lives and work. Visitors can see objects that reveal family traditions, craftsmanship, and the social fabric that developed over centuries.
The museum is located in the downtown area and accessible on foot, with permanent exhibits and seasonal events throughout the year. The on-site genealogy library allows visitors to research family history through records and documents, which requires advance planning for serious research.
The building served as the Franklin Lodge No. 107 Masonic Temple until 1987, constructed between 1922 and 1924 by the Shopbell & Company firm. This architectural conversion shows how civic institutions transform their spaces to serve changing community needs.
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