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Built in 1838, Franklin House is located in Franklin Village, which is
located over six kilometers from central Launceston. It was owned by Britton Jones-
a brewer and an innkeeper. Jones sold the house to Mr Willliam Keeler Hawkes,
who converted it into a Classical and Commercial School, a boarding school for
boys. The House then fell into the ownership of the Greers, who renamed it 'the
Hollies'.
The Hollies was renamed Franklin House since it was located at Franklin
Village. The Village had been named after Sir John Franklin, the Governor of
Tasmania from 1837 to 1843.
Much of the interior work of Franklin House is done in Australian cedar;
the house serves as example of the architecture of the period.
Once utilized as a school for young boys, Franklin House is now a property
of the National Trust, whose efforts led to the refurbishment of the house.
The National Trust has been unreservedly dedicated in its object of preserving
natural heritage around Australia.
The beautiful garden in Franklin House is a sure treat to the eyes; the garden
also has two oak trees, a strawberry tree and a chestnut tree- all of which
figure on the list of Significant Tree. Come September and the Franklin House
garden is overlaid with a colorful sheet of flowers. The inner gardens of the
House are adorned with roses during the months of January.
Visitors to Franklin House are served tea in the morning and afternoon;
also present are souvenir shops. The residents of Franklin Village have been
known to use Franklin House as a site for Victorian style of picnics.
The National Trust intents to sensitize more and more children to the existence
and history of Franklin House for the achievement of which it plans to conducts
various tours of the school children.
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