March 2–May 20, 2007
"If you wou'd not be forgotten As soon as you are dead and rotten, Either write things worth reading, Or do things worth the writing."
— Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
Scientist. Entrepreneur. Diplomat. Inventor. Philanthropist. A man of many talents and interests, Benjamin Franklin led an extraordinary and extraordinarily productive life. He was a master printer, invented swim fins, bifocals, and the flexible catheter, served as Postmaster General for North America, co-founded America's first public hospital and circulating library, and charted Gulf Stream currents, to name a few things. He had his quirks as well; he was into skinny-dipping, liked to jam on the violin and guitar, and wrote saucy essays.
Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World delves into the multi-faceted personality of a man who profoundly influenced the path of a nation and whose contributions still resonate today. The exhibit moves thematically through his life and pairs more than 250 original Franklin artifacts and five U.S. founding documents with over 40 video animations, hands-on displays, and computer-based interactive kiosks that borrow from Franklin's curiosity, wit, and wisdom.
The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Website
Learn more about the exhibition, view select artifacts, experience some of the exhibition's interactives, and get more details on Franklin's life.
"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn."
— Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1755
Visitor Info
Related Events, Programs & Exhibitions
Teacher Resources
- School Groups Website—Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World
- Educator's Guide (PDF | 2MB)
Fun Stuff
- Visit Ben's Profile: Ladies ... Do you think you and Ben might have hit it off? Gents ... Would Ben have been someone you'd enjoy watching the game with? Visit his profile and find out!
- Ben@dmns.org: E-mail Ben with questions
- Ben's Neighbors: Historical enactors will be on-hand at the Museum
Media
Presented in Denver by the Key Foundation and KeyBank:
The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, a non-profit organization supported by a lead grant of $4 million from The Pew Charitable Trusts, was established to mark the 300-year anniversary of Benjamin Franklins birth (1706-2006) with a celebration dedicated to educating the public about Franklin's enduring legacy and inspiring renewed appreciation of the values he embodied.
The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary was founded in 2000 by a consortium of five Philadelphia cultural institutions: the American Philosophical Society, The Franklin Institute, The Library Company of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, an Act of Congress in 2002 created the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission, a panel of fifteen outstanding Americans chosen to study and recommend programs to celebrate Franklin's 300th birthday. The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary can be found online at www.benfranklin300.org.