Johnson County Museum of History
Encyclopedia
The Johnson County Museum of History is a local historical museum located in Franklin, Indiana
. The museum is run by the Johnson County Historical Society. The museum officially opened in 1931, under the name "Johnson County Museum". It was organized by the local Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Originally located in a small room at the county courthouse, the museum has grown over the years, making it necessary to relocate. In 1963 it moved to the Suckow home, and in 1989 it moved again to its current building.
were able to organize efforts for a museum in 1931.
The original museum was located in a small room at the Johnson County Courthouse. The gallery was later moved to the Suckow home in Franklin in 1963. In 1989 Johnson County officials along with the Johnson County Historical Society combined to purchase the former Masonic Temple
in Franklin located at 135 Main Street. The museum is currently operating at the same address.
The museum currently offers permanent and seasonal exhibits, various programs and events, a genealogy library with original Johnson County and surrounding area records, a gift shop, and a 1830s cabin located next to the museum.
Contains Native American artifacts, tools, weapons, and fur trade items.
Johnson County Pioneer Settlers
Contains original artifacts, Conestoga wagon reproduction, a replica fiddler with playable audio, and replica children's clothing.
Victorian Life
Contains a Victorian Parlor reproduction complete with clothing, furniture, and accessories.
Indiana Infantry in the Civil War
Contains original photographs and Civil War regalia, equipment and weaponry used in the war, and a mock encampment scene.
Serving County and Country
Contains memorabilia from the Spanish-American War to present day, historic items and photographs, authentic World War II
attire, and historical contents from Camp Atterbury
in nearby Edinburgh, Indiana
.
The Fabulous '50s
Contains a replica diner scene, 1953 Chrysler Imperial, drive-in marquee, authentic 1950s popcorn machine used in the Artcraft Theatre
, and other 1950s regalia.
Artwork
Includes works of art from local Johnson County artists past and present.
between 1922 and 1924 by Franklin Lodge No. 107 (a lodge of Freemasons
) who used it as their meeting place until 1987.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1991. Although it had already been converted to a museum by that time, it is listed under the name Masonic Temple in the register.
Franklin, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s , with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The...
. The museum is run by the Johnson County Historical Society. The museum officially opened in 1931, under the name "Johnson County Museum". It was organized by the local Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Originally located in a small room at the county courthouse, the museum has grown over the years, making it necessary to relocate. In 1963 it moved to the Suckow home, and in 1989 it moved again to its current building.
About the Museum
The Johnson County Museum of History has been in existence since 1931. Originally, historical artifacts were on display in store windows in downtown Franklin. The local chapter of the Daughters of the American RevolutionDaughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
were able to organize efforts for a museum in 1931.
The original museum was located in a small room at the Johnson County Courthouse. The gallery was later moved to the Suckow home in Franklin in 1963. In 1989 Johnson County officials along with the Johnson County Historical Society combined to purchase the former Masonic Temple
Masonic Temple
Masonic Temple is a term commonly used in Freemasonry with multiple but related meanings. It is used to describe an abstract spiritual goal, the conceptual ritualistic space formed when a Masonic Lodge meets, and the physical rooms and structures in which a Lodge meets...
in Franklin located at 135 Main Street. The museum is currently operating at the same address.
The museum currently offers permanent and seasonal exhibits, various programs and events, a genealogy library with original Johnson County and surrounding area records, a gift shop, and a 1830s cabin located next to the museum.
Permanent Exhibits
Early InhabitantsContains Native American artifacts, tools, weapons, and fur trade items.
Johnson County Pioneer Settlers
Contains original artifacts, Conestoga wagon reproduction, a replica fiddler with playable audio, and replica children's clothing.
Victorian Life
Contains a Victorian Parlor reproduction complete with clothing, furniture, and accessories.
Indiana Infantry in the Civil War
Contains original photographs and Civil War regalia, equipment and weaponry used in the war, and a mock encampment scene.
Serving County and Country
Contains memorabilia from the Spanish-American War to present day, historic items and photographs, authentic World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
attire, and historical contents from Camp Atterbury
Camp Atterbury
Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, Indiana, USA, is a training base of the Indiana National Guard. It was planned just months before the U.S. entry into World War II. Originally surveyed and researched by the Hurd Company, the present site was recommended to Congress in 1941. Construction commenced...
in nearby Edinburgh, Indiana
Edinburgh, Indiana
Edinburgh is a town in Bartholomew, Johnson, and Shelby Counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 4,480 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Columbus, Indiana metropolitan statistical area. Edinburgh was named in honor of Edinburgh, Scotland and for many years was pronounced the...
.
The Fabulous '50s
Contains a replica diner scene, 1953 Chrysler Imperial, drive-in marquee, authentic 1950s popcorn machine used in the Artcraft Theatre
Artcraft Theatre
The Artcraft Theatre is a classic grand movie theater in downtown Franklin, Indiana. It was built in 1922 in an Art Deco style, and was used for vaudeville and silent movies. The theater was one of the first in the area to feature cool air when it installed a swamp cooler. It served as a full-time...
, and other 1950s regalia.
Artwork
Includes works of art from local Johnson County artists past and present.
Genealogy Library
The museum has access to Johnson County records resources. Such records include: Marriage record books, guardianship records, tax records, court records, inventory and sales records, military and veteran records, school yearbooks and records, local township records, written town histories, cemetery records, church records, oral histories, records from 28 surrounding counties and 11 states, and more.Building
The museum's current building was constructed as a Masonic TempleMasonic Temple
Masonic Temple is a term commonly used in Freemasonry with multiple but related meanings. It is used to describe an abstract spiritual goal, the conceptual ritualistic space formed when a Masonic Lodge meets, and the physical rooms and structures in which a Lodge meets...
between 1922 and 1924 by Franklin Lodge No. 107 (a lodge of Freemasons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
) who used it as their meeting place until 1987.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1991. Although it had already been converted to a museum by that time, it is listed under the name Masonic Temple in the register.