View source for Benjamin Franklin National Memorial

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
|OrganizationType=Cultural Institutions (Sub-organization)
|Mission=To honor and educate the public about Benjamin Franklin, one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, through his legacy in science, invention, statesmanship, and civic contributions. The memorial aims to inspire visitors with Franklin's life, work, and wisdom.
|ParentOrganization=The Franklin Institute
|Services=Historical education; Multimedia presentations; Public tours; Educational programs
|HeadquartersLocation=39.95839, -75.17319
|HeadquartersAddress=222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
|Website=https://www.fi.edu/benjamin-franklin-national-memorial
}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
| image = Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.jpg
| caption = The monument in 2007
| location = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| owner = [[Franklin Institute]]
| visitation_num = 171,033
| visitation_year = 2009
| designation1 = NMEM
| designation1_date = October 25, 1972<ref name=THOMAS>{{citation|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/T?&report=sr147&dbname=109&|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715173939/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/T?&report=sr147&dbname=109&|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2012|publisher=THOMAS (Library of Congress)|title=Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemoration Act of 2005|access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>
| website = [https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/benjamin-franklin-memorial/ Benjamin Franklin Memorial]
}}
The '''Benjamin Franklin National Memorial''', located in the rotunda of the [[Franklin Institute]] science museum in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], features a large statue of a seated [[Benjamin Franklin]], American writer, inventor, statesman, and [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father]]. The {{convert|20|ft|adj=on}}-tall memorial was sculpted by [[James Earle Fraser (sculptor)|James Earle Fraser]] between 1932 and 1938<ref>PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER 31 January 1932, Page 10 and 17 May 1938 Page 9</ref><ref name=SIRIS/> and dedicated in 1938.<ref name=THOMAS/> 

With a weight of {{convert|30|ST}} the statue rests on a {{convert|92|ST|adj=on}} pedestal of white Seravezza marble. It is the focal piece of the Memorial Hall of the Franklin Institute, which was designed by [[John T. Windrim|John Windrim]] and modeled after the [[Roman Pantheon]]. The statue and Memorial Hall were designated as the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in 1972. It is the primary location memorializing Benjamin Franklin in the U.S.<ref name=SIRIS>{{citation|url=http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13070LH9B1624.10747&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!307281~!0&ri=10&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=benjamin+franklin&index=.GW&uindex=&oper=&term=james+earle+fraser&index=.AW&uindex=&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ri=10#focus|title=Benjamin Franklin, (sculpture)|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS)|access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>

==History==
[[Congress of the United States|Congress]] designated the [[List of national memorials of the United States|national memorial]] on October 25, 1972 ({{USPL|92|551}}).  Unlike most national memorials, the statue is not listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].  The national memorial is an affiliated area of the [[National Park Service]], assigned to [[Independence National Historical Park]] through a Memorandum of Agreement entered into on November 6, 1973.  Under terms of the agreement, the Institute owns and maintains the publicly accessible memorial, and the Park Service includes the memorial in official publications and otherwise cooperates with the Institute in all appropriate and mutually agreeable ways on behalf of the memorial.

Public Law 109-153 (December 30, 2005) authorizes the [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]] to make available to the Institute up to $10,000,000 in matching grants for the rehabilitation of the memorial and for the development of related exhibits.  This appropriation commemorates the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth on January 17, 1706.<ref>[http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ153.109 Public Law 109-153]</ref>

In 2008, the Memorial underwent a $3.8 million restoration, which included installation of a multi-media presentation about Philadelphia's most famous citizen, now featured in the 3½-minute show "Benjamin Franklin Forever". The memorial's new digital projection, theatrical lighting, and audio effects are fully utilized in a program that introduces Franklin as a curious tinkerer, and demonstrates his profound impact on the world as a premiere international citizen, statesman, civic leader, and scientist. The refurbishment also included improved acoustics, state-of-the-art LED lighting upgrades, and restoration and re-gilding of the oculus to its original brilliance. Throughout the day, quotes from Franklin are projected onto the walls, and graphic panels highlighting his life and accomplishments provide visitors with a still greater appreciation of this Founding Father.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id%3D38186 |title=Benjamin Franklin National Memorial to Receive Funds for Renovation - the Pew Charitable Trusts |access-date=2012-02-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703142323/http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=38186 |archive-date=2011-07-03 }}</ref>

Admission to the National Memorial is free.

==In popular culture==
The memorial appears in the 2004 film ''[[National Treasure (film)|National Treasure]].''

==See also==
{{Portal|Philadelphia|Visual arts}}
*[[Franklin Court]]
*[[Benjamin Franklin House]], in [[London]], [[England]], the only surviving home of Benjamin Franklin, now a museum.
*[[Jefferson Memorial]]
*[[James Madison Memorial Building]]
*[[George Mason Memorial]]
*[[Washington Monument]]
*[[Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence]]
*[[List of national memorials of the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/places-benjaminfranklinnationalmemorial.htm Official page] within [https://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm Independence National Historical Park]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060213041505/http://photo.itc.nps.gov/storage/images/frme/frme-Thumb.00001.html National Park Service images of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial] (archived 13 February 2006)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060513095149/http://www.doi.gov/ocl/2004/S1852.htm Statement by NPS Dept. Director Durand concerning financial assistance for the Ben. Franklin Nat'l Memorial] (archived 13 May 2006)
* [http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/research/r_a_fras.html James Earle Fraser biography]

{{James Earle Fraser}}
{{Benjamin Franklin|state=expanded}}
{{Protected areas of Pennsylvania}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1911 sculptures]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Franklin Institute]]
[[Category:Greek Revival architecture in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:History of Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Independence National Historical Park]]
[[Category:Marble sculptures in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:National memorials of the United States]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1972]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Statues of Benjamin Franklin| ]]
[[Category:Works by James Earle Fraser (sculptor)]]
[[Category:Colossal statues in the United States]]