Benjamin Franklin National Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Benjamin Franklin National Memorial |
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The monument in 2007
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| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Visitors | 171,033 (in 2009) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Benjamin Franklin Memorial |
| Designated | October 25, 1972 |
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is a special place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It's located inside The Franklin Institute, a science museum. This memorial features a huge statue of Benjamin Franklin, who was a very famous American writer, inventor, and leader.
The statue is about 20 feet (6 meters) tall. It was created by James Earle Fraser between 1906 and 1911. The memorial was officially opened in 1938. The statue itself weighs about 30 tons (27,215 kg). It sits on a large base made of white marble that weighs 92 tons (83,461 kg). This statue is the main part of the Memorial Hall at the Franklin Institute. This hall was designed by John T. Windrim to look like the ancient Roman Pantheon. In 1972, the statue and the hall were officially named the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. It is the most important place in the U.S. that honors Benjamin Franklin.
Contents
History of the Memorial
How the Memorial Was Created
The United States Congress officially made this a national memorial on October 25, 1972. This was done through a special law. Unlike many other national memorials, this statue is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is connected to the National Park Service. It works with Independence National Historical Park. This partnership started on November 6, 1973. Under this agreement, The Franklin Institute owns and takes care of the memorial. People can visit it freely. The National Park Service helps by including the memorial in its official books and working with the Institute to promote it.
Funding for Improvements
In 2005, another law was passed. This law allowed the United States Secretary of the Interior to give up to $10,000,000 to The Franklin Institute. This money was for fixing up the memorial and creating new exhibits. This funding was given to celebrate Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday. He was born on January 17, 1706.
Modern Restoration and Exhibits
In 2008, the memorial had a big restoration project. It cost $3.8 million. During this project, new technology was added. Now, there is a special 3½-minute show called "Benjamin Franklin Forever." This show uses digital projections, special lighting, and sound effects. It introduces Franklin as a curious inventor. It also shows how much he influenced the world as a global citizen, leader, and scientist.
The restoration also made the sound better in the hall. It added modern LED lights. The round opening at the top of the hall, called the oculus, was also restored. It was re-gilded to look shiny and new again. Throughout the day, famous quotes from Franklin are shown on the walls. There are also panels with pictures and information about his life. These help visitors learn even more about this important Founding Father.
You can visit the National Memorial for free.
The memorial was also featured in the movie National Treasure.
See also
In Spanish: Memorial nacional Benjamin Franklin para niños
