Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Person: Benjamin Franklin

Also memorialized by the Ben Franklin Bridge, Franklin Institute, Franklin Square and Franklin Court.

Last Resting Place of Benjamin Franklin
* Memorial to and relief bust of (with quotes from) Benjamin Franklin, Honore Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, Anne Robert Jacques Turgot and George Washington
* small head
* inscription:
The last resting place of Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790
"Venerated for benevolence, admired for talent, esteemed for patriotism, beloved for philanthropy"
-Washington
"The sage whom two worlds claimed as their own."
-Mirabeua
"He tore from the skies the lightning and from tyrants the sceptre"
-Turgot

* Fencepost. South side of Arch, just East of 5th.
* 39.952450,-75.148250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mirabeau page
+wikipedia.org's Turgot page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page

Benjamin Franklin
Francesco Lazzarini, 1789 (original)
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* standing person, staff, books
* Replica of Benjamin Franklin
* Pediment. Library Hall. 105 S. 5th St, West side of 5th, South of Chestnut.
* 39.948425,-75.149190 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+ushistory.org's history of the Library Company

Benjamin Franklin
Francesco Lazzarini, 1789
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* standing person, staff, books,
* Behind dark and very reflective glass.
* The replica in the original location at 5th and Chestnut: Benjamin Franklin
* inscription:
Philadelphia merchant William Bingham commissioned this marble statue to honor Franklin. It was carved in Carrara, Italy and installed in 1792 in a niche above the entrance to the Library Company's first building on Fifth Street South of Chestnut Street. As seen in William Birch's 1800 engraving, above.
Exposure to the elements at its original site and in later years has produced the evident deterioration.
The dedication stone below the statue reads:
This statue of Dr. Benjamin Franklin was presented by William Bingham, Esq. MDCCXCII
* Front window. Library Company of Philadelphia. South side of Locust between 13th and Juniper.
* 39.947975,-75.163065 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+librarycompany.org

Benjamin Franklin
John J. Boyle, 1899
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* seated person, chair, papers
* In front of College Hall. Woodland Walk West of 34th Street.
* 39.951950,-75.193700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1913 picture of this piece at 9th and Chestnut
+wikipedia.org's John J. Boyle page
+wikipedia.org's College Hall page

Benjamin Franklin in 1723
R. Tait McKenzie, 1914
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* standing person, hat, walking stick, bag of belongings
* Also listed as "Youthful Franklin" and "The Young Franklin". A small version of this piece is in the Children's Department of the main library at 20th and Race.
* inscription:
front: Benjamin Franklin in 1723
left: "I have been the more particular in this description of my journey that you may compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure I have since made there." -Franklin to his son.
right: This memorial dedicated to the Tenth Reunion of the Class of 1904 is a tribute to the inspiration and example of the founder of the University to many generations of the sons of Pennsylvania
* East side of 33rd Street, North of Spruce.
* 39.950800,-75.191000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's R. Tait McKenzie page

PSFS Franklin Logo
George Howe (Architect), 1924
* relief bust of Benjamin Franklin
* big head, PSFS logo
* inscription:
PHILADELPHIA SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY
CRESCIT EUNDO
1706-1790
* Wall. Southeast corner, Broad, McKean, and Passyunk.
* 39.925460,-75.169250 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Philly tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org's entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's George Howe page

Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
James Earle Fraser, 1938
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* big seated person, chair
* Free, but not always open. Check times. The last picture is of a reference from the mural at 24th and Chestnut.
* Interior. Franklin Institute. West side of 20th, South of the Parkway.
* 39.958200,-75.173000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+official page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's James Earle Fraser page
+fi.edu

Benjamin Franklin Medallion
Sydney Jelinek (Architect), 1959
* Portrait of Benjamin Franklin
* big head
* Originally on the wall of the Franklin Motor Inn on the Northeast corner of 22nd and Pennsylvania/Hamilton. The medallion survived an eventual rename to Best Western, but not the demolition of the building in June, 2008.
* Wall.
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+baldwinparkphilly.org's history of what is now Dalian on the Park, including the Franklin Motor Inn, with a picture of this piece

Benjamin Franklin and His Kite
Agnes Yarnall, 1966 (installed 1994)
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* small standing person, kite
* inscription: June 12th, 1752 was the day on which Benjamin Franklin extracted lightning from the sky with his kite and key.
* Coxe Park. South Side of Cherry, just East of 22nd.
* 39.956800,-75.175550 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* See also:
+ulheritagecenter.pastperfectonline.com's Agnes Yarnall page

Benjamin Franklin in Fireman's Hat
Dexter Jones, 1968
* Head of Benjamin Franklin
* big head, hat
* South wall. Engine 8. North side of Arch, East of 4th.
* 39.952425,-75.146450 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters
* See also:
+woodmereartmuseum.org's Dexter Jones page
+nationalsculpture.org's Dexter Jones Award
+firemanshallmuseum.org's Engine 8 page

Ghost Structures
Venturi, Scott Brown (and Rauch), 1976
* Representation of houses belonging to Benjamin Franklin
* big buildings
* At the time this piece was built the firm was named Venturi and Rauch.
* Franklin Court. Between 3nd and 4th, Market and Chestnut, entrances on Market and Chestnut.
* 39.949650,-75.146525 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Robert Venturi page
+wikipedia.org's Denise Scott Brown page
+ushistory.org's Franklin Court tour page

University of Pennsylvania Class of 1930 Plaque
1980
* Bas relief bust of Benjamin Franklin
* small head, seal of the University of Pennsylvania
* inscription: Benjamin Franklin
1706-1790
The class of 1930 at its 50th Reunion honors Benjamin Franklin founder of the University of Pennsylvania which began at this site in 1749 and which in 1779 became the first University in this nation. We recognize the growth of our beloved institution from small beginning to world renown. May our fellow men note our affection for the University and our respect for its architect.
* Wall. West side of 4th, just South of Arch.
* 39.952250,-75.146900 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour

Benjamin Franklin, Craftsman
Joe Brown, 1981
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* standing person, printing press
* inscription:
Presented to the
City of Philadelphia
by
Pennsylvania Freemasons
Dedicated June 27, 1981
by
The Grand Lodge Free and
Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania
* Northwest corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953700,-75.163550 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org Joe Brown page

Bolt of Lightning
Isamu Noguchi, 1984
* Representation of an act of Benjamin Franklin
* big kite, lightening, key
* At the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge. 6th and Vine.
* 39.955450,-75.148750 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+ushistory.org page for this piece
+noguchi.org
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin Bridge page

Benjamin Franklin
George Lundeen, 1987
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* small seated person, bench, eyeglasses, cane, newspaper, pigeon
* East side of 37th Street, just South of Locust Walk.
* 39.952150,-75.196975 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+lundeensculpture.com's George Lundeen page

Big Ben at Franklin Town
Alexander L. Generalis, Tom Miles, 1992
* Bust of Benjamin Franklin
* big head, eyeglasses, lightning bolts, arch, kite, implied keys
* The eight seat-sized posts each have a letter inscribed on top, spelling out FRANKLIN.
* Bridge over I-676. 17th and Vine.
* 39.958450,-75.167100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* See also:
+milesstudios.info

Pennsylvania National Guard Monument
1997
* Monument to a group organized by Benjamin Franklin
* small lion, sword and shield, keystone
* inscription:
The rampant lion. Crest of the PA National Guard.
1747 1997
Near this site the Associators, a group of citizen-soldiers organized by Benjamin Franklin and predecessor to the modern Pennsylvania National Guard, established the first Pennsylvania military installation to defend the colony and the port of Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania National Guard dedicates this monument to those patriots on our two hundredth anniversary.
* Penn's Landing between Dock and South.
* 39.941850,-75.141325 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour

Philadelphia Firsts
George Greenamyer, 1998
* Portrayals of and references to John Bartram, William Camac, Mary Cassatt, Rebecca Cole, Thomas Eakins, John Fitch, Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson and Betsy Ross
* small standing people, building, tiger, boat, fish, fire, medical and fire-fighting equipment, flag, plant
* inscription:
First American Zoo
1874
The first animal and Dr. William Camac, founder
First American museum and art school
1805
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Thomas Eakins and Mary Cassat
First American volunteer fire company
1736
The union, founded by Benjamin Franklin
First American botanical garden
1728
Bartram's Gardens
John Bartram with Franklinia alatamaha
First American steamboat
1785
John Fitch, inventor
First African-American to graduate from the Women's Medical College
1867
Dr. Rebecca Cole
First American Flag
1777
Betsy Ross, seamstress
Francis Hopkinson, alleged designer
* On top of a pole outside 1515 Arch (aka One Parkway).
* 39.954900,-75.166100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters
* See also:
+greenamyer.com
+wikipedia.org's John Bartram page
+phillymag.com article about the zoo that mentions William Camac
+wikipedia.org's Mary Cassatt page
+wikipedia.org's Rebecca Cole page
+wikipedia.org's Thomas Eakins page
+wikipedia.org's John Fitch page
+wikipedia.org's Francis Hopkinson page
+ushistory.org's Betsy Ross page

Keys to Community
James Peniston, 2007
* bust incorporating symbol of Benjamin Franklin
* big head and torso, keys
* On top of the wall. Girard Fountain Park. North side of Arch, East of 4th.
* 39.952415,-75.146300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+jepsculpture.com
+wikipedia.org's Girard Fountain Park page

Benjamin Franklin's Way
2009
* Quotes from Benjamin Franklin
* ideas, abstract steles
* inscription: (partial)
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of cure. - 1735
Diligence is the Mother of Good-Luck. -1736
Well done is better than well said. - 1737
A true Friend is the best Possession - 1744
There are no Gains without Pains. - 1745
He's a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom - 1745
Doors of wisdom are never shut. - 1755
Half the Truth is often a great Lie. - 1758
* 37th between Walnut and Locust.
* 39.952800,-75.196975 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+upenn.edu article about this piece

The Bond
Jim West, 2017
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington
* two people standing, Masonic emblem
* inscription:
Brother George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, first President of the United States, and member of Alexandria Lodge (Fairfax County, Virginia) shows his Masonic Apron to Brother Benjamin Franklin, diplomat who negotiated French involvement in our independence. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Master of the Loge Les Neuf Soeurs, in Paris. It was a gift from Brother General Lafayette, member of the Loge Contrat Social of Paris, who represented the French government and their commitment to American Independence.
* In front of the Masonic Temple. Northeast corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953510,-75.163150 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+jimwestsculptor.com
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+pamasonictemple.org

Person: Benjamin Franklin

See Also