The "History Is Closer Than You Think" 

State -Wide Hunt Contest 

Franklin has incredible history hiding right in plain sight—even along our highways! As part of the statewide CT America 250 Celebration, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), the UConn CT State Historian, and CT Humanities have installed exclusive, commemorative signs at rest areas and welcome centers across the state, showcasing local revolutionary treasures.

One of those signs features a prized piece from our very own Franklin Historical Society collection—the exact collection tied to the groundbreaking "Rebel Yankeys" exhibit currently on display at the Ashbel Woodward Museum.

We challenge Franklin residents to find the sign, tell us where it is, snap a photo, and come see the real history up close!

 Contest Dates

• Kickoff: July 1, 2026

• Submission Deadline: Labor Day, September 7, 2026

 Where to Look: Tracking the Trail

The CT America 250 signs are strategically placed across Connecticut’s travel corridors. To find our town's featured sign, keep your eyes peeled when visiting:

• CTDOT Highway Rest Areas (located along I-95, I-395, and Route 15)

• State Welcome Centers (at the state borders)

• High-Speed Service Plazas

Look for the distinct blue-and-yellow, Connecticut-flag-themed signs that highlight the state's unique Revolutionary history. One of them belongs to Franklin!

 How to Enter (3 Simple Steps)

1. Locate the Sign: Spot the blue-and-yellow CT America 250 sign at a Connecticut rest stop or welcome center featuring Franklin's history.

2. Snap a Selfie: Take a photo of yourself (or your family) next to the sign to prove you found it.

3. Submit Your Entry & Tell Us Where You Found It! Email your timestamped photo to AshbelWoodwardMuseum@gmail.com with "FOUND IT!" in the subject line.
   In your email, make sure to include:

   • Your full name, Franklin street address, and phone number.

   • The specific location of the sign: Tell us which highway/route you were on and the town/city of the rest stop or plaza!

   •  Share what it felt like to see a piece of Franklin's own Revolutionary history standing out on a Connecticut highway!

Complete the Journey: Don't forget to stop by the museum and tie your hunt together by standing right in front of the exhibit's crown jewel: an original 1776 copy of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. See the actual words that electrified Connecticut colonists and inspired local militias to march for freedom!

 Prizes & Glory

All eligible Franklin residents who successfully locate the sign and submit their entry will be entered into a raffle to win:

• Grand Prize: A custom Revolutionary Franklin gift basket, complete with your own copy of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, and a featured spotlight in the next Franklin Life town newsletter!

 Official Contest Rules & Legal Disclaimer (The Fine Print)

• Eligibility: The contest is open exclusively to legal residents of the Town of Franklin, Connecticut. Employees, officers, and board members of the Ashbel Woodward Museum, the Franklin Historical Society, and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

• Entry Requirements: Only one entry per household is permitted. Submissions must be received via email by 11:59 PM EDT on Monday, September 7, 2026. Photos must include a visible date/timestamp or metadata confirming they were taken during the contest window (July 1, 2026 – September 7, 2026). Location details must be provided to validate the entry.

• Safety Warning: Participants must prioritize personal safety and strictly follow all traffic, parking, and pedestrian regulations at CTDOT rest areas and welcome centers. Do not obstruct traffic or enter restricted zones to take photos. The Town of Franklin, the Franklin Historical Society, and the Ashbel Woodward Museum assume no liability for personal injury, property damage, or citations incurred while participating.

• Winner Selection & Notification: The Grand Prize winner will be selected via a random drawing from all qualifying entries. The winner will be notified via phone and/or email by September 15, 2026. If a winner cannot be contacted or fails to claim the prize within 14 days of notification, an alternate winner will be drawn. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.

• Publicity & Media Release: By submitting a photo entry, participants grant the Ashbel Woodward Museum and the Franklin Historical Society the irrevocable right to use the participant's name, likeness, and submitted photograph in community publications (including the Franklin Life newsletter), local media outlets, and official town social media platforms for promotional purposes without further compensation.