Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia

From his beginnings as a young printer to becoming one of the most extraordinary innovators and statesmen in our history

Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States

Created By: PocketSights

Tour Information

The descriptions below have been adapted from:

Donate to the Association for Public Art:

  • Donate Here or use the donation support feature at the end of your tour.

Tour Information:

Benjamin Franklin called Philadelphia home and his achievements here were many: he founded public societies and institutions; co-founded the nation’s first hospital; established the first lending library; reformed the postal system – the list goes on.

Accordingly, there is perhaps no other city where Benjamin Franklin’s life and legacy is so greatly remembered as in Philadelphia. On a stroll throughout the city, one is likely to run into public artworks honoring Franklin, as well as institutions, roads, businesses and parks that bear his name (The Franklin Institute, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Franklin Square, etc.). To give a sense of the scope of his influence in Philadelphia, the following is a glimpse at some of the many ways Franklin is represented throughout the city.

See full tour at: Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia

About:

The Association for Public Art (aPA, formerly the Fairmount Park Art Association) is the nation's first private, nonprofit organization dedicated to integrating public art and urban planning. Founded in 1872, the Association commissions, preserves, promotes and interprets public art in Philadelphia.


Tour Map

Loading Tour

 

What You'll See on the Tour

Artist: George Lundeen (1948-) Location: University of Pennsylvania, 37th Street and Locust Walk (southeast corner) Sitting on a bench with a newspaper in hand and a pigeon at his side, George Lundeen’s Benjamin Franklin (on a bench) wa... Read more
When artist John J. Boyle was commissioned by Justus C. Strawbridge to create a statue of Benjamin Franklin, he was one of Philadelphia’s most prominent sculptors. (His works include Stone Age in America on Kelly Drive and John Christi... Read more
Artist: Claes Oldenburg (1929-) & Coosje van Bruggen (1942-2009) Location: University of Pennsylvania, Locust Walk Between 34th and 36th Streets Since commonplace, mass-produced objects dominate American life, Claes Oldenburg makes the... Read more
Artist: R. Tait McKenzie (1867-1938) Location: University of Pennsylvania in front of Weightman Hall, 33rd Street south of Locust Street R. Tait McKenzie’s portrait of a young Benjamin Franklin was considered appropriate as an example to ... Read more
Artist: James Earle Fraser (1876-1953)  Location: Interior of the Franklin Institute 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway A gift to the Franklin Institute from William L. McLean, this substantial sculpture of Benjamin Franklin b... Read more

 

Leave a Comment

 


 

Download the App

Download the PocketSights Tour Guide mobile app to take this self-guided tour on your GPS-enabled mobile device.

iOS Tour Guide Android Tour Guide

 


 

Updates and Corrections

Please send change requests to changerequest@pocketsights.com.