Franklin Court facts for kids
One of Venturi & Rauch's "ghost structures" in the courtyard
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| Established | 1976 |
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| Location | Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Type | Biographical museum |
| Public transit access | 5th Street/Independence Hall |
Franklin Court is a special place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's part of Independence National Historical Park. This site was once the home of Benjamin Franklin, a famous American printer, scientist, diplomat, and statesman. He lived here from 1763 until he passed away in 1790.
The entire area was designed by a company called Venturi and Rauch. It opened in 1976 to celebrate the 200th birthday of the United States. At Franklin Court, you can see what's left of Franklin's house and other old buildings. There are also "ghost structures" that show where his house and print shop used to be. You can also visit an underground museum about Franklin and see a working post office and print shop.
Contents
History of Franklin's Home
Benjamin Franklin built his house in this courtyard in 1763. He owned it until he died in 1790. Even though he was often overseas, he spent a lot of time in Philadelphia. He was involved in important events like the Second Continental Congress and the United States Constitutional Convention. Franklin moved into the house permanently in 1785.
His house was located in a large courtyard. You could reach it through an alleyway from Market Street.
In 1787, Franklin built a print shop on the property. It was for his grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache. His grandson used it to publish a newspaper called the Philadelphia Aurora. Franklin died at this very site in 1790.
The house and probably the print shop were torn down in 1812. This happened when the courtyard was redeveloped. Later, in the 1950s and 60s, archaeologists dug up the site. They were looking for what remained of Franklin's buildings.
Exploring the Architecture
In 1974, the architectural firm Venturi and Rauch designed Franklin Court. This was just two years before the United States Bicentennial celebration.
The most interesting parts are the two "ghost structures." These are made of square steel tubes. They show the exact outline of Franklin's house and print shop, which were torn down long ago. The designers created these because there wasn't enough information to rebuild the buildings exactly. Also, new ideas about how to show history were emerging. This design has been copied at other historic places.
The larger steel frame shows Franklin's house. The smaller frame shows the print shop. Different pavement patterns on the ground show where the rooms used to be. There are also concrete openings where visitors can look down at the original remains underground.
Benjamin Franklin Museum
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The Benjamin Franklin Museum is located underground, beneath the courtyard. It was built around the actual remains of Franklin's house.
The museum was completely updated between 2011 and 2013. It reopened in August 2013.
The museum has five rooms filled with exhibits. You can watch short films and try interactive activities. These activities explore Franklin's language, hobbies, ideas, and inventions. They also highlight his character traits. Each room has videos, touch screens, mechanical displays, and real artifacts.
The five main character traits of Benjamin Franklin shown in the museum are:
- Ardent and dutiful (meaning passionate and responsible)
- Ambitious and rebellious (meaning wanting to achieve a lot and not always following the rules)
- Motivated to improve (meaning always wanting to make things better)
- Curious and full of wonder (meaning always asking questions and amazed by the world)
- Strategic and persuasive (meaning good at planning and convincing others)
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Glass display case containing a Glass Armonica, a musical instrument Franklin invented.
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A touch screen where you can learn about the Glass Armonica.
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A mechanical display of a printing press.
Franklin Court Printing Office
The Franklin Court Printing Office has several exhibits. You can see a typesetting area, where letters are arranged for printing. There's also a bindery, where books are put together. The office has two reproduction 18th-century printing presses. It also includes the newspaper office that belonged to Benjamin Franklin's grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache.
Park rangers are often in the Printing Office. They show visitors how typesetting works and how to use the old 18th-century printing press. It's a great way to see how newspapers and books were made long ago!
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The entrance to the Franklin Court Printing Office.
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A Park Ranger showing how to add ink to the typesetting on a printing press.
See also
- Ben Franklin House - historic Philadelphia hotel
- Benjamin Franklin House - London residence
- Founding Fathers of the United States
