Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World - National Constitution Center

Civic Visions: 1731 - 1751

Civic Visions tells the story of Franklin’s involvement with the founding of several key philanthropic, educational and civic institutions. Franklin, and a group of eleven working-class friends, known as the Junto, were at the core of several Philadelphia institutions that were founded in the mid-18th century on behalf of the citizens of the city.

Many of these institutions, such as Pennsylvania Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania, continue today, and the account of their founding is told in this section.

Useful Knowledge: 1747 - 1785

Having made enough money to retire from active business at the age of 42, Franklin devoted the next part of his life to the search for Useful Knowledge. At the center of his search was the American Philosophical Society, formed with like-minded friends in 1743.

In this section visitors see an array of scientific instruments used by Franklin and the most famous scientists "known as philosophers" of his day, such as astronomer David Rittenhouse. Here, too, visitors have fun investigating many of the scientific problems that intrigued Franklin.

World Stage: 1744 - 1787

World Stage begins with Franklin’s political career in colonial Pennsylvania, proceeds to his years in England and France, and concludes in Philadelphia, where he returned in 1785 as an elder statesman and was welcomed as a hero.

Seventy-nine years old and suffering from gout, Franklin re-entered the Philadelphia political scene, became President of the Pennsylvania Assembly and served in the Constitutional Convention.

At the very end of his life, Franklin espoused a new cause, the abolition of slavery. World Stage covers the time in Franklin’s life when all his worlds - literature, science, politics, diplomacy, and his fascination with the material world - came together at a critical time in history.

Seeing Franklin: 1787 - Today

The final section includes Franklin's Autobiography, the last-life portrait of Franklin, and his epitaph. Images of Franklin from the 19th and 20th centuries combine with quotations from those who were profoundly influenced by him.

The final exhibit is what appears to be a great pair of spectacles - the kind Franklin wore - set atop enormous, leather-bound books. The lenses reveal an image of Franklin wearing his fur cap. Franklin’s image is composed of hundreds of wooden tiles, which gradually move and tilt to reflect an image of the visitor. Above this, we read, "Do you See Yourself in Franklin?" This reflective experience is the final and lasting image of the exhibition.

Visiting the Exhibition

As you can see, that's a lot to see and do. Allow at least an hour or two to tour the exhibition. The exhibition will be at the National Constitution Center from December 15, 2005 - April 30, 2006. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, children 4-12, and college students. Groups of 20 or more pay just $8.50. Admission to the Constitution Center's permanent exhibitions is also included. Ticket information is available at the National Constitution Center's website.

The National Constitution Center will also feature an array of Franklin-themed programs throughout the run of the exhibition. A highlight will be a discussion with a group of Franklin biographers in January 2006, which will include Walter Isaacson and Gordon Wood. There will also be special Franklin Family Fun Days one Saturday each month.

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World is the keystone exhibition of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, but by no means the only part of what will be a year-long celebration of the life of this founding father throughout the Philadelphia region in 2006. We'll keep you posted on other events as they are announced.