Franklin Academy

Franklin County is rich in its cultural achievements. In 1880, Franklin was chosen as a site for one of few Academies in Nebraska. Franklin’s City Park is now located where the Academy once stood.

The Dupee Music Hall, Was the only remaining structure of the Franklin Academy, Standing on its original site until 2016. It was moved to a piece of land outside of Franklin The academy was established in 1881 under the supervision of the Republican Valley Association of Congregational Churches. By 1888, Nebraska had five Congregational academies offering college preparatory courses to students who desired more college preparatory courses to students who desired more academic training than a typical nineteenth-century high school provided.

Listed on the National Historic Register, the Dupee Music Hall was erected in 1902 to house the music department, which had become one of the major interests of the academy. Over 3000 students were enrolled from 1881 until its closing in 1922.

The Museum has preserved this history in the meeting room of the main building. A large bell, the ornate old fireplace and the Academy memorial marker reveal the facts of the glorious days of the Academy.