Franklin Institute

Founded in 1824 by Samuel Vaughn Merrick and William H. Keating, the Franklin Institute (named in honor of Benjamin Franklin) was created for “...the promotion of Mechanic Arts.” It began with an investigation into steam engines and water power, but quickly evolved into one of America’s most celebrated museums, as well as a leader in science/technology education and research. Originally located on South 7th Street (now the Atwater Kent Museum), the Institute building eventually became too small and moved to its present location on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. From the beginning, the design plans called for the Institute to be a completely square building surrounding a memorial statue of Benjamin Franklin. Only two of the four planned wings were ever built. From September 2, to October 11, 1884, the Institute hosted the “International Electrical Exhibition of 1884” - the first great electrical exhibition in America. In the late 20th century, the Institute began educating the public through its many programs. As we passed by the Institute every day on our way into downtown Philadelphia, we immediately recognized its most notable feature, the Science Museum. We just had to stop in for a visit.

Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute is America’s leading science and technology museum, as well as a center for education and research.

Outside the main entrance, the Budd BB1 Pioneer ( a 1930 ‘s experimental flying boat) is the feature that helped us to recognize the building as the Franklin Institute.

The original Franklin Institute building on South 7th Street (now the Atwater Kent museum) eventually became too small to house all of the collections of the museum.

A memorial to the Institute’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin, sits just inside the entrance under a massive dome.

It is a wonderful tribute to one of America’s greatest scientists, inventors, and politicians.

One of the Institute’s first investigations was an exploration into the workings of the steam engine.

Created in1953 as a “ six month temporary exhibit”, the Great Heart became so popular, it was turned into a permanent attraction.

Among children, and those of us young at heart, the “Neural Climber” (part of the “Your Brain” exhibit) is a fascinating exploration of the interconnected pathways of the brain.

There is just so much to see here...

...you could spend days just exploring this one attraction..

...which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.