The Lost State of Franklin: America’s Almost 14th State

After the American Revolution, western North Carolina was left loosely governed under the weak Articles of Confederation. Frustrated settlers took matters into their own hands and attempted to form a brand-new state called Franklin. Join historian Matthew Carter as he shares the dramatic story of this forgotten frontier experiment — why it began, why it failed, and how it directly influenced the U.S. Constitution’s rules for creating new states. A fascinating look at early America’s growing pains and the challenges of self-government.

Presenter: Matthew Carter, Executive Director, Dakota County Historical Society