Fragments of Franklin Court, Explore the Genius of a Founding Father

318 Market Street
The place where a great person has lived
3.8

Introduction

Benjamin Franklin is a famous Founding Father in American history, as well as an outstanding scientist, educator, diplomat, and writer. In addition to participating in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, he also invented the lightning rod through his kite experiment and founded the University of Pennsylvania. Many streets and buildings in Philadelphia are named after him, and his portrait appears on the $100 bill. Franklin died in 1790, and his former residence no longer exists. However, the original site has been preserved and turned into the Franklin Museum, which displays his inventions and personal items he used during his lifetime. Visitors can also learn more about his life and accomplishments through multimedia exhibits. The Franklin Post Office is the only surviving pre-Revolutionary War post office and visitors can send mail and have it stamped with Franklin's signature. The Franklin Museum reopened on August 24, 2013, and is now listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places.
Address
318 Market Street
Opening hours
Museum: 9:00-17:00, last admission at 16:15
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Post office: 9:00-17:00, closed on Sundays.
Transportation
Take bus number 17, 33, 48, or 57 to the Market St & 4th St stop. Take the blue subway line (MFL) to 5th St Station and walk east for about 5 minutes to arrive.