Announcement of Franklin Museum Groundbreaking

Philadelphia - The October 24, 10 a.m. groundbreaking for the renovation of the Franklin Court Underground Museum will launch the 18-month project to completely renovate the underground space and exhibits. This $21 million project is funded through a public-private partnership including the National Park Service, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Gerry Lenfest, the William Penn Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Independence Visitor Center.

Who: Cynthia MacLeod, Superintendent, Independence National Historical Park

Don Kimelman, Managing Director, Information Initiatives and the Philadelphia Program, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Suzanne Biemiller, Chief of Staff to Mayor Nutter, City of Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin (portrayed by Bill Robling)

What:Groundbreaking event and contract award announcement

Where:Franklin Courtyard, between Market and Chestnut Streets, between 3^rd and 4^th Streets

When:Monday, October 24, 2011 at 10 a.m.

Why: Two local firms will work to renew the Benjamin Franklin Museum at Franklin Court. Maltbie has been awarded a $4.7 million contract to fabricate the exhibits. Daniel J. Keating Company has been awarded a $9.54 million construction contract. The museum project will be a complete renovation of the 1976 museum and exhibits, which will re-open in 2013.

Access to the Courtyard is from both the Chestnut and Market Street entrances. In the case of rain, the event will be moved indoors into the theater in the Underground Museum, Franklin Court.