Ben Franklin still electrifies Philadelphia: Not far by car

ben in neon.jpg
Ben Franklin is loved for his character..and his quirks. (Ann Witmer)
Ann Witmer | By Ann Witmer | The Patriot-News
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on October 23, 2013 at 11:45 AM, updated October 24, 2013 at 12:12 PM

"Philadelphia has a love affair with Ben Franklin. He never died."

That's how Neil Ronk, historian for the Christ Church Preservation Trust, sees it, even though Franklin's grave is front and center in the 270-year-old church's burial ground.

Every day tourists toss pennies and other coins onto Ben's grave for good luck. Many of those pennies were made right across the street at the U.S. Mint and many, like Franklin himself, have traveled the world and come home to roost in Philadelphia.

Last year those tossings added up to $2,847, said Anne McLaughlin, head of tourism for Christ Church. "The money helps to maintain and keep the burial ground open to the public."

In a quirky twist on Franklin's famous saying, a penny not saved (by tourists) is a penny earned (by Ben).

Still with us after all these years

This is but one example of how Franklin, an 18th-century Renaissance man who died 223 years ago, still connects with people in the country's fifth largest city.

His spirit is alive in oft-visited historic buildings such as Independence Hall (where he served) and Carpenter's Hall (where he set up the first library).

ben at franklin institute.jpgView full sizeHuge and white, the Founding Father presides over the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in the Franklin Institute.

As a 30-ton and very white marble statue, Franklin lives on in one of the nation's first science museums. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial with its short multimedia show in the rotunda of the Franklin Institute is free to the public.

There are more than 14 Ben Franklin replicas standing or sitting in places around the city. Isamu Noguchi's towering steel tribute to Franklin and his kite, Bolt of Lightning, rises from one end of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge; it was the longest single span suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1926.

Philadelphia's Champs-Élysées-style parkway is named after him, and so is one of William Penn's original five squares.

His pith rings true

The pithy things he wrote and said still ring true:





Still relevant? You betcha.

"Franklin was the Dr. Phil of the 18th century," said Ed Mauger whose Philadelphia on Foot history tours breathe life into people from the past.

A museum by his mulberry tree

museum exterior.jpgView full sizeThe new Benjamin Franklin Museum is under the ground at Franklin Court, site of Franklin's long-gone home.

In August, a new $23 million Benjamin Franklin Museum opened in Franklin Court in the Independence National Historic Park. It explores Franklin's legacy in a very human way.

You enter the museum from a courtyard where Franklin once schmoozed with friends in the shade of a mulberry tree. "Shadow structures," built for the Bicentennial in 1976, outline what was once Franklin's home; it was torn down in 1812.

The museum, below ground, replaces one built in 1976 that used the (then) modern technology of Princess phones to transmit voices from the past talking about Franklin.

The new museum resembles rooms in a home. Each focuses on an aspect of Franklin's character that made him au courant in his time and a good example for today. He was sociable, industrious, dutiful, tolerant and curious.

Rather than preaching, the museum takes a hands-on approach with 30 computer interactives and Franklin's pet squirrel, Skuggs, who gets kids involved in learning about the man.

There are artifacts, of course, such as Ben's bifocals (which he invented) and his chess set (which taught him how to think strategically and served him well as a statesman).

armonica.jpgView full sizeFranklin's armonica "mechanized" the art of making music on the rims of wine glasses.

Franklin's armonica is an instrument he invented after watching someone "play" water-filled wine glasses in England. It makes music when, with moistened fingers, you touch the rims of glass bowls mounted on a pedal-turned spindle.

Although you can't touch the real thing, you can play it using a computer simulation.

the journey.jpgView full sizeFranklin, a 17-year-old runaway apprentice, had tough decisions to make when he fled from Boston to Philadelphia. Youngsters struggle with choices he had to make.

You also can set type like Franklin did in his print shop and agonize over the tough decisions Franklin had to make when, as a 17-year-old runaway apprentice, he fled from Boston to Philadelphia.

A sense of wonder

Maybe the most appealing thing about Franklin was his curiosity and sense of wonder. He never stopped observing, asking questions and seeking solutions.

He invented swim fins when he was 14.

Most of us picture Franklin as paunchy and old. That's because people couldn't afford portraits until they got older.

"Young Ben was strong and athletic," Mauger said. "He could lift 200 pounds and swim for hours. He was the Michael Phelps of his time."

Franklin improved street lamps so they gave more light. He started a library because books were expensive. And he formed the first volunteer fire company - and fire insurance - to protect people's homes.

He invented the Franklin stove that both preserved heat and let you enjoy the romance of seeing the flame.

used lightning rod.jpgView full sizeA relic prized by the Franklin Institute is a used lightning rod that belonged to Ben Franklin.

And, famously, he discovered many things about electricity that led to practical inventions such as the lightning rod and batteries.

"He once cooked a turkey on a spit powered by electricity," Mauger said with a grin. "He was the founder of the American barbecue."

We can only assume that Franklin would have been pleased to know that innovations in the new $100 bill bearing his likeness are likely to foil counterfeiters.

Ben Franklin was no angel. He spent years away from home in London and Paris working for the country and having a good time. He fathered an illegitimate son, he owned slaves and he once authored an essay called "Fart Proudly."

Perhaps this mix of character strengths and human flaws is why we're so fond of this Founding Father.

In 1789 Franklin wrote this in a letter to a fellow scientist in France: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

A year later, at the age of 84, Franklin died on April 17. We can remember him each year ... when we pay our taxes.

If you go:

Benjamin Franklin Museum

317 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19106


How far by car?  1 hr 50 min

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: Adults $5, children 16 and younger $2

Benjamin Franklin National Memorial at

The Franklin Institute

222 N. 20th St.


Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission to the Franklin Memorial, free.

Admission to other parts of the Franklin Institute, adults $16.50, children 3-11 $12.50.

Christ Church

20 N. American St.

(2nd Street above Market Street)


Christ Church Burial Ground is located at the SE corner of Fifth and Arch

Staying over: Penn's View Hotel, 14 N. Front St., 215-992-7600, is conveniently located in the historic district. Includes complimentary WIFI and breakfast. Rates: $149-$289.

Eating: City Tavern , 138 S. Second St., 215-413-1443, is an iconic restaurant in Independence National Historic Park. It opened in 1773 and was frequented by the Founding Fathers. Its menu is inspired by customs and foods of 18th-century Colonial America.

ben at tipplers tour.jpgView full sizeYou never know who's going to show up on the Tippler's Tour. Maybe even Ben!

For fun: If you're in town on a Thursday night, try the two-hour Tippler's Tour.  It leaves at 5:30 p.m. from Historic Philadelphia Center, Sixth and Chestnut streets, 215-629-4026. A costumed guide leads you on a Colonial pub crawl through four modern-day watering holes, including City Tavern, for tastings and food. Adults $40. Must be 21 or older with ID.