Photo of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial located at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, a 20’ statue of Ben Franklin, resides within the Franklin Institute. Sculpted by James Earle Fraser from 1906 to 1911, the statue of our former statesman, writer, and inventor weighs an impressive 30 tons and is seated on a 92-ton pedestal of white Seravezza marble. Dedicated in 1938 and designated a national memorial in 1972, it serves as the focal point of the Memorial Hall, which was designed by John T. Windrim. The Hall itself is 82’ in length, width, and height, with a 1600-ton domed ceiling, and marble walls, ceilings, and columns. Within the Hall are various Franklin memorabilia including the electrostatic machine he used for scientific experiments, a clock from Paris, and the odometer used to measure postal routes in Philadelphia. Interestingly enough, the Benjamin Franklin Memorial has not been placed on the National Register of Historic Places; it is actually affiliated with the National Park Service, as is the Franklin Institute. Grants are made available to the Institute through the Department of the Interior for the upkeep and addition of exhibits to the Memorial. (Note: Free admission to Memorial Hall.)
The following information provided by The Franklin Institute:
Franklin National Memorial Hall Restoration Project
May 2008 marked the beginning of an exciting new project at the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. As the most-visited monument in dedication to Benjamin Franklin, and a centerpiece of the Franklin, the Memorial has attracted over 30 million visitors since its opening 7 decades ago! The $3.8 million project, which is scheduled to be completed at the end of this year, will include full historical refurbishment, new lighting, sound and audio visual systems, and new interpretive programs. The Rotunda dome of the Memorial, which has remained untouched through 70 years of environmental stresses, will be professionally cleaned, repaired and restored, along with the marble structure and bronze fixtures of the hall and lobby. A dramatic new lighting will be installed that will illuminate the statue and architectural details of the Memorial, while newly installed retractable screens and projection system will enhance future audio-visual presentations.
We thank you for your patience as we make these much needed improvements! True to Franklin's ideals, these cutting-edge upgrades will augment The Franklin's on-going pursuit of science and technology by increasing its capabilities and functions, enabling us to provide you with additional educational opportunities!
Please be aware that the Memorial will be completely inaccessible through early July, after which a tunnel with a ramp will open up for special needs visitors. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience - please feel free to contact the Franklin Institute ahead of time or while you are visiting, if you have any questions and concerns.
