Fact Sheet

Franklin In Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin Bridge

Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Benjamin Franklin's presence is everywhere in Philadelphia. Here's a look at some of the many places visited by, founded by, inspired by or named for the city's most famous citizen. More information about many of the following historic sites and cultural attractions is available at www.gophila.com/culturefiles.

Philadelphia Landmarks in Franklin's Life:

Independence Hall - A signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the framers of the Constitution, Franklin spent many, many days here. Chestnut Street between 5th & 6th Streets, (215) 965-2305, www.nps.gov/inde
Franklin Court - Franklin Court, the site of Franklin's home and the printing office of his grandson, also includes an underground museum focused on Franklin's many accomplishments. Because he was postmaster general of the new nation, there is a U.S. Post Office as well. 314-322 Market Street, (215) 965-2305, www.nps.gov/inde
Christ Church - Franklin worshipped here on occasion and even had his children baptized in this historic church. He also supervised the lottery that financed the Church's tower and steeple. 2nd & Market Streets, (215) 922-1695, www.christchurchphila.org
Christ Church Burial Ground - Here lie Ben and his wife, Deborah, along with a number of other historic figures. Visitors often toss pennies on Franklin's grave for good luck. Arch Street between 4th & 5th Streets, (215) 922-1695, www.christchurchphila.org
Bartram's Garden - On one of John and William Bartram's many explorations to gather plant specimens, several of which were supported by Franklin, the father-and-son botanist team discovered seeds of a tree that they later propagated and named the Franklinia alatamaha tree in honor of their friend. 54th Street & Lindbergh Boulevard, (215) 729-5281, www.bartramsgarden.org
Stenton - Franklin often visited the 1730 Georgian home of James Logan, his friend and secretary to Pennsylvania founder, William Penn. 460 1 N. 18th Street, (215) 329-7312, www.stenton.org
Free Quaker Meeting House - Franklin supported an individual's right to worship as he or she wished. The Free Quaker Meeting House was one of several places of worship that were made possible through Franklin's financial support. 5th & Arch Streets, (215) 965-2305
Masonic Temple - Like a number of the nation's founding fathers, Franklin was an active member of the Freemasons. 1 N. Broad Street, (215) 988-1900, www.pagrandlodge.org
Carpenters' Hall - The site of the First Continental Congress was once the home of Franklin's Library Company and the American Philosophical Society, two organizations founded by Franklin. 320 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-0167, www.ushistory.org/carpentershall

Founded by Franklin:

American Philosophical Society - Franklin founded the American Philosophical Society (APS) "to cultivate the finer arts, and improve the common stock of knowledge" in the young colonies. Since its founding in 1743, APS has boasted more than 200 Nobel Prize winners as members. 104-105 S. 5th Street, (215) 440-3400, www.amphilsoc.org
The Library Company of Philadelphia - Books were rare and expensive in the colonies and that inspired Franklin to form this subscription library, a precursor to today's public lending libraries. 1314 Locust Street, (215) 546-3181, www.librarycompany.org
Fire Department (Fireman's Hall Museum) - To combat the lethal fires that destroyed lives and property, Franklin organized a group of volunteers to fight fires, and the idea soon caught on throughout the city. 147 N. 2nd Street, (215) 923-1438, www.mfrconsultants.com/pfd/index.shtml
University of Pennsylvania - Unlike other schools that focused on educating the clergy, Franklin's Pennsylvania Academy and College, later named the University of Pennsylvania, prepared students for business and public service. 3451 Walnut Street, (215) 898-5000, www.upenn.edu
Pennsylvania Hospital - When Franklin helped found Pennsylvania Hospital in 1751, he created the first public hospital in America. 8th & Spruce Streets, (215) 829-3000, www.uphs.upenn.edu/paharc
B. Free Franklin Post Office - As postmaster general for Philadelphia, and later for all the colonies, Franklin created regular postal delivery routes, established postal rates and laid the groundwork for a nationwide mail system. 315 Market Street

Named After Franklin:

The Franklin Institute - Franklin's scientific experiments were the inspiration for this interactive museum, which began as a scientific research institution in 1824. Built partly with money raised by the Poor Richard Club, the Franklin Institute is now home to a national memorial dedicated to Franklin. 222 N. 20th Street, (215) 448-1200, www.fi.edu
Franklin Square - One of the five original squares in William Penn's "greene countrie towne," Northeast Square was renamed Franklin Square in 1825. Today, Bolt of Lightning, a 101 -foot sculpture by Isamu Noguchi, dominates the Square. 6th Street at Vine Street
Franklin Field - Like its namesake, the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field has a long history of firsts, including the first running of the famous Penn Relays, first scoreboard, first two-tiered stadium, site of the first radio and television football broadcasts and site of Vince Lombardi's only NFL playoff loss. 33rd Street at South Street, (215) 898-6151, www.pennathletics.com
Benjamin Franklin Parkway - Often compared to the Champs Elysees in Paris, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway stretches from Logan Circle to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and is nicknamed "Museum Row" because of the many cultural institutions that line the broad boulevard.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge - Connecting Center City Philadelphia to Camden, New Jersey, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge features changing computer-generated lights that have become one of the city's signature landmarks. www.drpa.org
Franklin Mills Mall - Hundreds of outlet stores and shops make Franklin Mills Mall a bargain hunter's paradise. Woodhaven & Knights Roads, (215) 632-1500,
www.franklin-mills-mall.com

Public Art Inspired by Franklin:

Just some of the dozens of pieces of outdoor art dedicated to Franklin :

Benjamin Franklin - Franklin, the colonial postmaster, was honored in 1899 with this statue created by John J. Boyle. University of Pennsylvania, Blanche Levy Park, College Hall, between Spruce & Locust Streets and 34th & 36th Streets
Ben Franklin (on a bench) - Casually seated on a bench reading his newspaper, Franklin seems ready to engage in conversation with a passerby. By George Lundeen. University of Pennsylvania, 37th Street & Locust Walk
Benjamin Franklin in 1723 - The artist who sculpted this statue of Franklin with a walking stick was also a physician, physical therapist and the first professor of physical education at the University of Pennsylvania. By R. Tait McKenzie. University of Pennsylvania, Weightman Hall, 33rd Street south of Locust Street
Bolt of Lightning...A Memorial to Benjamin Franklin - Iconic images of a kite, key and lighting bolt in metal capture Franklin's famous experiment. By Isamu Noguchi. Monument Plaza, foot of Benjamin Franklin Bridge, 6th & Vine Streets
Benjamin Franklin, Craftsman (or Young Ben Franklin) - A young and strong Franklin is depicted working at a printing press. By Joseph Brown. Municipal Services Building, Broad Street & John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Benjamin Franklin in Fireman's Hat - A profile of Franklin in a fireman's helmet is mounted to the building's facade. By Dexter (Charles D. Wentworth III) Jones.
Fire Station, 4th & Arch Streets
Benjamin Franklin - Majestic and larger than life, the national Benjamin Franklin memorial dominates the rotunda of The Franklin Institute Science Museum. The statue is 20-feet high, weighs 30 tons and sits on a 92-ton marble pedestal. By James Earle Fraser. 20th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Untitled Keystones - Along with the sculpture of Franklin, the keystones include images of William Penn, Moses and Sympathy. By Alexander Milne Calder. City Hall, Broad & Market Streets
Big Ben at Franklin Town - This lighthearted metal sculpture of Franklin's head is complete with eyeglasses. By Alexander Generalis. I-676 overpass, 17th & Vine Streets
Benjamin Franklin - When an 18th-century Englishman traveling through America saw a bust of Franklin in Congress Hall, he called Franklin "the author of their great liberties." Artist Unknown. Congress Hall, 6th & Chestnut Streets
Benjamin Franklin - Franklin (made of stone and marble) stands with a scepter in his hand.By Joseph A. Bailly. Public Ledger Building (interior), 6th & Chestnut Streets
Benjamin Franklin - A replica of the statue at the Library Company of Philadelphia, this piece depicts Franklin holding an inverted scepter, indicating the colonies' triumph over British rule. By Lewis Iselin (after Francesco Lazzarini and Jean Jacques Caffiéri ). American Philosophical Society, 5th & Chestnut Streets
Benjamin Franklin - Franklin himself approved his garb in this piece, a combination of a gown and modern dress. By Francesco Lazzarini. Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust Street
Benjamin Franklin with Kite - Franklin stands with a kite by his side, a salute to his famous experiment. By Agnes Yarnall. Coxe Park, Cherry & Beechwood Streets
Benjamin Franklin - This painting on glass depicts Franklin and some other 18th-century Philadelphia residents. By David Mitchell. Lights of Liberty, 6th & Chestnut Streets
Ben Franklin and William Penn - This mural features a painting of Penn and Franklin in an architectural setting. By Richard Haas. Chestnut Street between 23rd & 24th Streets
Signers' Hall - Life-size statues depict Franklin and other delegates of the Philadelphia Convention as they created the Constitution in 1787. By StudioEIS. National Constitution Center, Arch Street between 5th & 6th Streets

###

Ben Franklin 300 Philadelphia is a year-long celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday, coordinated and marketed by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, the National Constitution Center and CBS 3. Festivities will run from fall 2005 through 2006 and will focus on the world premiere of the international traveling exhibition, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World at the National Constitution Center. The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, a non-profit organization, is supported by a lead grant of $4 million from The Pew Charitable Trusts and established to reaffirm Franklin's enduring legacy in his 300th birthday year. The Tercentenary was founded in 2000 by the American Philosophical Society, The Franklin Institute, the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the University of Pennsylvania. For more information about the exhibition, related programs and traveling to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com/ben.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Cara Schneider, GPTMC
(215) 599-0789, cara@gptmc.com

Cheri LaSpada, Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
(215) 790-7825, cheri@alta247.com