Main Street – Franklin County Historical Society

October 16: The Farewell Tour: The Death Industry Downtown Ottawa Walking Tour

October 9, 2025 Diana Staresinic-Deane

Victorian-era downtown buildings. Building on far left includes a large sign that reads COFFINS & CASKETS.

The Farewell Tour: The Death Industry Downtown Ottawa Walking Tour Thursday, October 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Tours begin at Haley Park, 201 S Main, Ottawa, Kansas Death is part of life in any town, and death industry services–undertakers, coffin makers, stone carvers, and concrete vault casters–have been an important part of Ottawa’s downtown since the town was founded. The Franklin County Historical Society’s August Third Thursdays Walking Tour will explore the history of Ottawa’s downtown death-related businesses in buildings along Main Street. Tours are free,…

October 13: Buildings On the Brink Series: 207 S Main & 401 S Main

October 5, 2025 Diana Staresinic-Deane

A large two-story brick building at an intersection.

Buildings On the Brink Series: 207 S Main & 401 S Main Monday, October 13, 7 p.m. Ottawa Memorial Auditorium, 301 S Hickory, Ottawa, KS Have you ever walked by an empty downtown historic building and hoped someone would bring it back to life? The Buildings on the Brink series features stories about downtown buildings that are now thriving, as told by the owners who gave those buildings a new life. We’ll explore the history of those buildings, the vision of their owners, and the trials and tribulations of…

POSTPONED: November 14: Main Street Richmond: 1880-1980 (online program)

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 Diana Staresinic-Deane

An aerial view of a street lined with businesses and cars.

Main Street Richmond: 1880-1980 presented by Dennis Peters Register at Zoom or watch via Facebook Live The small town of Richmond, Kansas, has changed a lot over the years. Changing businesses, shifting community needs, and destructive fires have shaped and reshaped the community. Dennis Peters, volunteer with the Richmond Community Museum, will present a history of Richmond through photographs in the museum’s collection. This program will be rescheduled as in in-person program in the spring of 2022.