Benjamin Franklin Museum, part of Independence National Historical Park

SITE OVERVIEW

The Benjamin Franklin Museum at Independence National Historical Park is a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to all things Franklin.

LOCATION

The Benjamin Franklin Museum is located at Franklin Court, which lies within the block of Market, 3^rd, 4^th, and Chestnut streets. Entrances into Franklin Court are on Market and Chestnut.

OPERATING HOURS

• Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
• Closes at 3 PM on Christmas Eve
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

TICKETS AND FEES

There is a fee to enter the museum. See the National Park Service’s Visiting the Benjamin Franklin Museum web page for the current prices. Tickets are sold at the museum.

Inside the Benjamin Franklin Museum at Independence National Historical Park

WHAT TO DO

To tell the truth, I wasn’t particularly looking forward to going to another museum at Independence National Historical Park, but the Franklin Museum turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. I’ve never seen so many videos, touch-screen computers, and games, making it by far the most interactive museum I had visited up to that time (the National Constitution Center is even more interactive, though granted it is ten times the size). In addition to the games, there are plenty of Terry Gilliam-style animated cartoons of Franklin explaining things, so instead of having to read, you can watch and listen, which certainly appeals to the kids. After all, reading is so 20th century. As far as museums within National Parks are concerned, this is definitely one of the best. (Gilliam was the animator for the Monty Python comedy troupe’s TV series and now a film director).

Family enjoying the interactive exhibits at the Franklin Museum, Independence National Historical Park

One of the interactive games in the Franklin Museum, Independence National Historical Park

The exhibits are not arranged in chronological order based on Franklin’s life, but by topic. There are sections on his inventions, his time during the American Revolution, and his interest in printing, writing, and political propaganda.

Exhibit on political propaganda authored by Benjamin Franklin during the America Revolution at the Franklin Museum in Independence National Historical Park

In addition to the interactive exhibits and information panels are plenty of actual artifacts from Franklin’s life such as his bible and scientific instruments.

Franklin’s bible and other artifacts on display in the Benjamin Franklin Museum at Independence National Historical Park

Pneumatic air pump owned by Franklin on display in the Benjamin Franklin Museum at Independence National Historical Park

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

Despite the fact that the Benjamin Franklin Museum is quite large, the exhibits aren’t so packed together that they become overwhelming. I saw and read everything—which is more than most people care to do—in a little over an hour, though I did not play with all of the games and interactive exhibits. I suggest giving yourself at least an hour for your visit.

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