Visiting the Benjamin Franklin Museum

Explore Franklin's life and character in the Benjamin Franklin Museum. The museum features artifacts, computer animations, and interactive displays. The exhibits are geared toward visitors of all ages, with displays that are educational, challenging, and fun.

NPS photo

 

Location

The museum is located in Franklin Court. Entrance to the courtyard is from Market or Chestnut Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets.

Hours and FeesOpen daily, 9 am–5 pm

$7.50 for adults
$5.00 Senior Entry, Ages 65+
$5.00 for children, ages 6–17
Children ages 5 and under are FREE
School Groups and Chaperones FREE*

*School Groups
School groups and bona fide academic institutions are eligible for FREE admission to the museum following eligibility requirements set forth on nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/benjaminfranklinmuseum.

• A ratio of 1 Chaperone for every 10 students is required for interpretive fee to be waived
• Additional Chaperones, exceeding the 1:10 ratio, will be charged the corresponding interpretive fee

Please note that the Franklin Court Printing Office has different operating hours than the Benjamin Franklin Museum and may be closed certain days of the week.

As part of the Every Kid Outdoors program, we are providing free admission to the Benjamin Franklin Museum for fourth grade children who have an Every Kid Outdoors pass. Up to three adults accompanying this child are also admitted free.

Ticketing

Admission is available at the door and must be purchased on the day of your visit. Plan to allow at least one hour for your visit.

Passes

Federal recreational lands passes are not accepted for the interpretive fee. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Non-Resident Annual Pass, Senior Lifetime Pass, Senior Annual Pass, Access Pass, Military Lifetime Pass, Military Annual Pass, and Every Kid Outdoors Pass do not apply at BFM.

 

School GroupsSchool groups and other bona fide academic institutions are eligible for FREE admission to the museum. Learn more about the eligibility requirements and reservation process.

 

Exhibits

Explore Benjamin Franklin's life and legacy through his character traits. The exhibit area is divided into five "rooms" with each room focusing on a particular trait: ardent and dutiful, ambitious and rebellious, motivated to improve, curious and full of wonder, and strategic and persuasive. There are videos, touch screen interactives, mechanical interactives, and artifacts in each "room." An additional area called the "Library" presents a video with excerpts from Franklin's Autobiography.

 

Benjamin Franklin Museum Store
The Benjamin Franklin Museum Store, operated by Eastern National, is located on the courtyard level of the museum. The store offers a wide variety of apparel, commemorative items, books, and other merchandise related to Franklin and colonial Philadelphia.

 

AccessibilityThe Benjamin Franklin Museum is fully accessible for visitors with mobility impairments. An elevator allows visitors to access the museum. There are also accessible restrooms located on the lower level. Ask a ranger for an audio described tour of the museum. Tactile objects are located throughout the exhibit area.

 

Family FunFamilies will enjoy looking for the small squirrel figurines located throughout the exhibits. Franklin delighted in pet squirrels, or skuggs as they were known in his day. Read about the Skuggs mascot as you enter the exhibit area and then look high and low to find the figurines.

 

Images and Historical Information

Check out the photos and video of the Benjamin Franklin Museum below. Want to learn more about Benjamin Franklin and his contributions to society? Additional resources about Franklin are available on our website.

 

More to Explore in Franklin Court
Franklin Court Courtyard
Franklin Court Printing Office