By MyFM’s Marissa Santos – Franklin, the first town named after Benjamin Franklin, celebrates its literary legacy with the inaugural Ben Franklin Book Week. Born on January 17, 1706, Franklin generously gifted books to the town, leading to the establishment of North America’s first free public lending library. The town’s commitment to education continued with Horace Mann, the “father” of American Public education. Today, with a renewed focus on arts and culture, Franklin embraces its literary past. The Franklin Historical Museum sponsors Ben Franklin Book Week, featuring a public reading of his autobiography on January 17th, along with various events at the museum, Franklin Public Library, and Escape into Fiction Book Store. The event, supported by a grant from the Franklin Cultural District Committee, aims to honor Franklin’s contributions annually. For details, visit www.benfranklinbookweek.com and the museum’s Facebook page.
