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Museum of the American Philosophical Society
Views of science and humanistic thought at Ben Franklin’s intellectual club
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American Philosophical Society's Philosophical Hall
Photo by P. Butler for GPTMC
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Other Information
Open Wed - Sun, Apr - Sep; Thu - Sun, Oct - Mar
www.amphilsoc.org (Society)
www.nps.gov/inde (Hall)
Insider Tip
Why “Philosophical?” When Franklin founded the Society, the words “natural philosophy” were used to describe the kinds of investigations we call “science” and “technology.”
Kids' Stuff
Every exhibition in Philosophical Hall includes a kids-friendly art cart.
New Exhibit
Discover the extraordinary lives and fascinating personalities of America’s favorite founding father and an outrageous Russian princess in the new exhibit: Princess and the Patriot: Ekaterina Dashkova, Benjamin Franklin, and the Age of Enlightenment. Portraits, memoirs, letters and artifacts never seen before in this country illustrate the ideals of the Enlightenment that flourished throughout Europe and America and that sculpted the lives of these remarkable individuals.
The Experience
Snuggled behind the east wing of Independence Hall is Philosophical Hall, a brick building erected in the late 1780s that was our nation’s first museum, national library and academy of science. Inside, changing exhibitions highlight the intersections of science, history and art. Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Lewis and Clark journals are among the important documents, scientific specimens, patent models, portraits, maps, rare books and manuscripts that comprise this remarkable collection.
Across the street, the library is an international center for research in the history of American science, medicine and technology. Rare and unique items on paper are on display on a rotating basis during business hours.
History
Benjamin Franklin founded the Society in 1743 to promote “useful knowledge.” Today, the Society continues as an eminent scholarly organization of world-wide reputation, renowned for its excellence in scholarly research and publications, its library, its exhibitions and its international roster of elected members who make up a veritable “Who’s Who” of outstanding individuals in the arts, humanities and the sciences.
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