Join us for a trolley ride to a Marjorie Main film!
In July the Franklin Township Historical Society will sponsor the comedy Ma & Pa Kettle Go to Town, starring Acton-born actress Marjorie Main, at The Historic Artcraft Theatre (built 1922) in Franklin, Indiana. Join us on a trolley ride to Franklin on Saturday July 20 to have lunch and see the film. Your event ticket includes the trolley ride to and from Franklin, film admission, movie popcorn and fountain drink, plus a booklet about Marjorie Main and a copy of From Indian Trails to Interstates, a short history of Franklin Township. (Your lunch purchase and any additional theatre concessions you may choose are not included in the event ticket.)
We offered a similar trolley-and-film event in 2021; it sold out, and we were asked to do it again!
Tickets are $32 per person and must be purchased in advance. Due to trolley size, ticket quantities are strictly limited. Tickets can be purchased on our website. Purchasers will later receive an email with menu options for lunch, which you will order in advance and then pay for when the food is delivered that day.
Those attending should be at the Meeting House at 6510 S. Franklin Road at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. The trolley will leave approximately ten minutes later, and cannot wait for late arrivals. Don’t miss this special event featuring Acton’s only Academy Award-nominated actress! Have questions? Email us.
Expanded Acton Campground book now available
The Story of Acton Campground: Expanded Edition is now complete and available for purchase. The book will be available for sale at our booth on Old Settlers Day in Wanamaker on June 30th, but can also be purchased at Open Hours, at our other in-person events, and on our website. This new edition contains the complete original text by Sylvia Henricks, plus additional photos, background material about the history of the Methodist Church and Chautauquas, and more.
New displays going up outside Meeting House
At the time of this writing, the first of two new outdoor displays is in the process of going up on the north side of our 1871 Meeting House. This one showcases the “ACTON” sign from the Acton Depot, dating from the days when that sign identified the rail station when trains stopped there. This exterior display is part of an Eagle Scout project by Ava Rubio, who arranged for both the funding and the construction of the kiosk displaying the sign. The Historical Society will have interpretive signage made to display alongside the depot sign, explaining its history.
The other exterior display kiosk will feature our volunteer fire department bell, with signage telling the history of that once-essential department.
What’s been happening?
On May 7th we offered a members’ outing to the Decatur County Historical Society, then on May 17th we had 27 visitors come from the local 4-H Club to tour our Meeting House. There was a private event in our building May 18th, and on May 21st we partnered with the Southport/Perry Township Historical Society for a presentation about Teddy Roosevelt. On June 7 & 8th we held our popular Antiques & Rummage Sale fundraiser!
What WILL be happening?
We have lots more events coming up, so come have fun with us! Visit our booth at Old Settlers Day in Wanamaker on June 30 and see the things we have to offer; it’s a great time to renew your membership, too! During all of September, stop into the Franklin Road Library to see our month-long display of historic election memorabilia. On Sept. 7th join us for a free guided tour of the Big Run Cemetery and learn about the pioneers buried there and the iconography of the gravestones (arrive before 2:30 and park at the Meeting House). On Oct. 17th from 6:00 to 7:30, bring a lawn chair and sit around a campfire at the Meeting House for seasonal ghostly stories – marshmallows, other s’more ingredients and roasting sticks will be provided! And certainly don’t miss our annual Harvest Dinner Nov. 2nd at noon, with its fall menu, live music, door prizes, and Silent Auction. Looking further ahead, on Saturday Dec. 2nd visit our booth at Christmas in Wanamaker from 10:00 to 3:00, then on Sunday Dec. 8th at 6:00 PM come to Christmas at the Meeting House. This annual holiday celebration includes carols from our Victorian pump organ, stories of Christmas tradition and history, cookies, punch, and a chance to see special displays and our recently added exhibits. Meanwhile, Meeting House Open Hours continue from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month, now through October.
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