Special Group Tours are now available
History is closer than you think. Come to the Ashbel Woodward Museum to see an original 1776 copy of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, currently featured in our "Rebel Yankeys" exhibit. See the actual words that electrified Connecticut colonists and inspired local militias to march for freedom. Don't just read about history stand right in front of it!
Rebel Yankeys, a powerful exploration of two Revolutionary War soldiers from Franklin—Lebbeus Quy and Jacob Kingsbury—and the very different lives they led. Their stories open a window into the social and racial dynamics of 18th‑century Franklin, brought to life through voices and artifacts from the era.