Franklin Court Review

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Franklin Court

  • Address: 314-322 Market St., or enter from Chestnut St. walkway, Historic Area, Philadelphia, PA | Map It
  • Phone: 215/965-2305
  • www.nps.gov
Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.2/5

Fodor's Review:

Kids will love this highly interactive and informative museum built on the site that was Benjamin Franklin's first permanent home in Philadelphia. The museum is an imaginative tribute to a Renaissance man: scientist and inventor (of bifocals and the lightning rod), philosopher and writer, savvy politician and successful businessman. Franklin, publisher of Poor Richard's Almanac, helped draft the Declaration of Independence and negotiate the peace with Great Britain. He also helped found Pennsylvania Hospital, the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Contributionship, and the American Philosophical Society.

In the courtyard adjacent to the museum, achitect Robert Venturi erected a steel skeleton of Franklin's former home. You can peek through "windows" into cutaways to see wall foundations, outdoor privy wells, and other parts of his home that were uncovered during excavations. At the Market Street side are several houses, now exhibition halls, that Franklin had rented in addition to his main home. In one, you can see how Franklin fireproofed the building: his interest in fireproofing led him to experiment with kite flying and lightning. Here, too, you can find a restoration of a Colonial-era print shop and a post office. Don't forget to get a letter hand-stamped with a "b. free franklin" cancellation.

  • Cost: Free
  • Open: Hrs vary
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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 10/19/08
A history museum that's good for kids, less essential if you're not. Has some adjacent historic houses, an outline (with some excavations) showing where Franklin's original house was, a few artifacts, and a history exhibit.

Member Rating: 3.2
Ratings details: Experience: 3.0 Ease: 4.0 Value: 3.0 Don't Miss: 3.0
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