Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, Philadelphia

The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, a significant monument to one of America's most illustrious figures, is located within the rotunda of the Franklin Institute science museum in Philadelphia. This monumental site features a grand statue of Benjamin Franklin, renowned as an American writer, inventor, statesman, and one of the Founding Fathers. Crafted by James Earle Fraser, the statue stands impressively at 20 feet (approximately 6.1 meters) in height. Fraser worked on this project from 1906 to 1911, with the memorial being officially dedicated in 1938.

This enormous statue weighs about 30 short tons and is perched on a pedestal made from white Seravezza marble, itself weighing 92 short tons. The statue is the centerpiece of Memorial Hall in the Franklin Institute, an architectural wonder designed by John Windrim and inspired by the Roman Pantheon.

Significant enhancements were made to the memorial in 2008. These improvements included a restoration project that saw the introduction of a multi-media presentation, titled "Benjamin Franklin Forever." This 3陆-minute show leverages digital projection, theatrical lighting, and audio effects to celebrate Franklin's legacy.

Additionally, the refurbishment enhanced the acoustics and incorporated state-of-the-art LED lighting. The oculus of the memorial was also restored and re-gilded to its original splendor. An engaging aspect of the memorial is the projection of Franklin's quotes onto the walls throughout the day.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Philadelphia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
Sight Location: Philadelphia, USA (See walking tours in Philadelphia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Franklin Parkway Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Create Your Own Walk in Philadelphia

Creating your own self-guided walk in Philadelphia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Philadelphia Introduction Walking Tour

The sixth largest city in the United States and the largest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is a dynamic city heaped with old-world charm and contemporary infrastructure. Notable for its rich history, primarily as the birthplace of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin's journey to becoming one of the most influential figures in Revolutionary America began when he, as a teenager, ventured from a Puritan family in Boston to Philadelphia. This city would not only become his home but also a stage for his remarkable life as a writer, printer, philosopher, postmaster, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. His life epitomizes the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Franklin Parkway Walking Tour

Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a scenic boulevard running through the cultural heart of Philadelphia. Named for America's Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, this mile-long tree-lined parkway is lined with several notable sights and world-class museums.

At its heart lies Logan Circle, a charming green space centered around a picturesque fountain. This spot can provide a refreshing break on... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Rocky Movie Sites Walking Tour

There's hardly any other character, fictional or real, as iconically Philadelphian as Rocky. Indeed, this American sports drama franchise, centered on the boxing career of Rocky Balboa, released in 1976, has become synonymous with and arguably done more for the city of Philadelphia than anyone else since Ben Franklin.

The cultural phenomenon was created by Sylvester Stallone, who wrote,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.3 Km or 3.9 Miles

University of Pennsylvania Walking Tour

As America's first university, The University of Pennsylvania (aka Penn or Upenn, for short) has a history stretching back to the mid-18th century, closely bound with the city's colonial past and the birth of the United States. Initially, this Ivy League institution emerged as the College of Philadelphia, one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the US Declaration of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

Philadelphia Old City Walking Tour

King Charles II of England, while seriously indebted to Admiral Sir William Penn, settled his debt in 1681 by granting lands in America to William Penn, the Admiral's Quaker son. A thorn in the King's side, young Penn sailed to America, where he envisioned a utopian society based on tolerance and founded Philadelphia, the "City of Brotherly Love."

The Old City Center, the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

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