The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Information About The Tercentenary Mission & Members

en Franklin 300 Philadelphia refers to the year-long commemoration of Benjamin Franklin’s 300th birthday in Philadelphia and Its Countryside. The celebration will run from fall 2005 through 2006, and will focus on the world premiere of the international traveling exhibition, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World at the National Constitution Center. It will include an array of complementary exhibitions, lectures, symposia, concerts and special events and offers at many of the region’s historical and cultural organizations, restaurants and hotels.

Ben Franklin 300 Philadelphia partners include:

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) is the marketing partner for the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary and the Ben Franklin 300 Philadelphia activities. GPTMC is responsible for promoting the celebration to leisure travelers in the U.S. and Canada.

The National Constitution Center is the Philadelphia host of the exhibition Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World.

The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) is responsible for promoting the Ben Franklin 300 Philadelphia celebration to groups and international audiences.

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a leading museum in science and innovation. Interactive exhibits include Sir Isaac’s Loft: Where Art & Physics Collide, The Franklin Air Show, and the famous Giant Heart. Now through April 23, 2006, the museum is hosting Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies. For more information about The Franklin Institute, and for ticket information, call 215-448-1200 or visit the museum’s website: www.fi.edu.

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, “to promote useful knowledge,” The American Philosophical Society served in the first half century of the republic as a national library, museum and academy of science. Today, the Society continues as an eminent scholarly organization of world-wide reputation, renowned for its excellence in scholarly research and publications, its extraordinary manuscript library and its international roster of elected members who make up a veritable “Who’s Who” of outstanding individuals in the arts, humanities and the sciences.

The Library Company of Philadelphia, founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and a group of his friends, was the nation’s first public circulating library. Today, the Library Company is an independent, non-profit research library of national importance comprised of over half a million rare books, manuscripts, prints, and photographs documenting every aspect of American history and culture from the colonial period through the end of the 19th century. Our mission is to preserve, interpret, make available, and augment the valuable materials within our care. We are a research center serving a national and international constituency, offering comprehensive reader services, an internationally renowned fellowship program, an on-line public access catalog, and regular exhibitions and public programs which are open to the public free of charge.

The University of Pennsylvania, founded by Ben Franklin, is the academic home of more than 20,000 students from around the world and the workplace of more than 20,000 Philadelphia-area residents. The University's 12 schools are located on one beautiful campus in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Penn, led by its president, Dr. Amy Gutmann, enjoys a global reputation as a research and teaching institution of the highest caliber.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States, showcasing more than 2,000 years of exceptional human creativity in masterpieces of painting, sculpture, works on paper, decorative arts and architectural settings from Europe, Asia and the Americas. The striking neoclassical building stands on a nine-acre site above the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and houses more than 200 galleries. The Museum offers a wide variety of enriching activities, including programs for children and families,lectures, concerts and films. Both the Rodin Museum and two historic houses in Fairmount Park are administered by the Museum.

The McNeil Center for Early American Studies—a consortium of mid-Atlantic and research and educational institutions—supports scholarly inquiry into the histories and cultures of North America in the Atlantic world before 1850. The Center offers fellowships to encourage use of the Philadelphia area’s magnificent manuscript, rare book, and museum collections; it sponsors a seminars, workshops, and conferences to foster interdisciplinary research; and, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania Press, it publishes a book series and the journal Early American Studies.

The American Swedish Historical Museum, located in FDR Park in South Philadelphia near the Sports Complex at 1900 Pattison Avenue, is dedicated to preserving and promoting the contributions of Swedes and Swedish-Americans in the United States. Visit our 12 permanent galleries, changing exhibition gallery, and library, each an outstanding example of twentieth century Swedish interior design. From early Pennsylvania history to decorative arts to architecture to science and technology, we know there is something for you!

The Academy of Natural Sciences, founded in 1812, is a world leader in natural science research, education and exhibition. Four floors of exciting family exhibits are inspired by the Academy's own research about the environment and its diverse species. Meet T. rex in Dinosaur Hall, touch live animals, explore your watershed, enjoy a nature show. From Nov. 12-May 14, 2006, see Frogs-A Chorus of Colors featuring beautiful and bizarre live frogs from around the world. www.acnatsci.org, 215-299-1000.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the all-new Adventure Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront! Explore the West African River Experience featuring hippopotamuses and 20 species of birds in a free-flight aviary, be surrounded by sharks in a 40-foot tunnel, and visit the 4D Theatre for a hair-raising deep sea adventure. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. $16.95 Adults / $13.95 Children (2-12) / $13.95 seniors, Children under 2 FREE with accompanying adult. 4D tickets $3.00. Info: 800-616-JAWS, or www.AdventureAquarium.com.

Visit Bartram’s Garden, a unique setting for recreation and learning about history and horticulture through the legacy of its 18th century founder, John Bartram, America’s most renowned 18th century naturalist. The 45-acre site features the National Historic Landmark John Bartram House, America's oldest living botanic garden, a wildflower meadow, a tidal wetland and a river trail along the Schuylkill River. See the Franklinia alatamaha tree, named after Benjamin Franklin, John Bartram’s close friend and fellow founder of the American Philosophical Society.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners is a statewide network that catalyzes entrepreneurship and technological innovation as drivers of economic growth. Operating regionally with four Partners strategically located throughout the Commonwealth, Ben Franklin provides emerging and existing businesses with access to risk capital, business and technology expertise, and specialized third party resources. Ben Franklin’s investments, services and access to resources comprise a comprehensive support structure that helps emerging companies succeed, existing companies to innovate and grow, and supports the development of a vibrant entrepreneurial culture that is critical to sustainable growth.

Christ Church was established in 1695. The current church, started in 1727, has long been considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America. The steeple, financed by a lottery organized by Benjamin Franklin, was the tallest structure in the colonies for 75 years.
Christ Church Burial Ground is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence, early medical pioneers, and Revolutionary War heroes. Both sites offer daily tours. www.oldchristchurch.org

Founded in 1787 by Benjamin Rush, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia is the historic home of American medicine. Today, the College is a non-profit educational and cultural institution dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of medicine and its role in society. It is also an active forum for critical debate and a trusted interpreter of information for legislators, policymakers, industry and the public. The College is the home of an innovative community health information center (Philly Health Info), a distinguished medical museum and one of the nation's best historical medical libraries.

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia takes visitors on a walking journey through America's most historic square mile, the birthplace of our nation. The Constitutional includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Constitutional guides visitors on a walk through history where The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were created. Visitors can experience The Constitutional: 1) as a free self-guided walking tour and/or 2) with a lively tour guide for a fee.

The Fox School of Business and Management, at Temple University, is the largest, most comprehensive business school in the Greater Philadelphia region and among the largest in the world, with more than 5,500 students, 150 full-time faculty and 45,000 alumni. Accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), The Fox School’s programs are ranked internationally and nationally by leading business publications, such as U.S. News & World Report and Entrepreneur magazine. For more information, visit www.fox.temple.edu

The Free Library of Philadelphia is to provide to all segments of Philadelphia's diverse population a comprehensive collection of recorded knowledge, ideas, artistic expression and information in a variety of media, including current technology; to assure ease of access to these materials; and to provide programs to stimulate the awareness and use of these resources. The Free Library will create a welcoming and inspiring environment for learning and will promote individual enlightenment, community enrichment and economic vitality throughout the region.

Founded in 1833, Haverford College is a private coeducational college located in suburban Philadelphia. It is the oldest institution of higher learning with Quaker roots in North America. While the College is not formally affiliated with any religious body today, the values of individual dignity, academic strength, and tolerance upon which it was founded remain central to its character. Haverford awards bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in the social sciences, humanities, life sciences and physical sciences.

Founded in 1824 in Philadelphia, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest historical societies in the United States and holds many national treasures, including one of the best collections of Frankliniana. HSP’s building houses some 600,000 printed items and over 19 million manuscript and graphic items in all. Old and new, these make HSP one of the most important centers of American historical documentation, education, and study.

Located on historic Penn's Landing, Independence Seaport Museum presents an exciting journey of discovery through the history and traditions of Philadelphia's maritime past with family-oriented, interactive exhibits and magnificent artifacts and art! Visitors can also watch a wooden boat being built in the Museum's boat shop, climb aboard Admiral Dewey's flagship Olympia and tour the WWII submarine Becuna, both National Historic Landmarks. The Museum's exhibit, "Boatloads of Ben: Franklin's 'Strong Inclination for the Sea'" will be on display through September 5, 2006.

The National Museum of American Jewish History's mission is to
present educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore and
celebrate the history of Jews in America. Our purpose is to connect
Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all
backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American
Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.

Independence National Historical Park, located in downtown Philadelphia, is often referred to as the birthplace of our nation. At the park, visitors can see the Liberty Bell, an international symbol of freedom, and Independence Hall, a World Heritage Site where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created. In addition, the park interprets events and the lives of the diverse population during the years when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800.

Lights of Liberty Show, an evening outdoor sound and light spectacular, runs from April through October. Experience the American Revolution as it happened, where it happened - with headsets providing full surround sound, music and celebrity narration. Breathtaking hand-painted images are projected upon the buildings where the historic events actually took place. Children's and foreign language versions available. Reservations
required. Call 215-LIBERTY (215-542-3789) or 1-877-GO-2-1776 (1-877-462-1776) or www.lightsofliberty.org. The Lights of Liberty Show is presented by PECO, An Exelon Company.

Mercer Museum. The towering castle houses dramatic displays of the implements, folk art and furnishings of early America before mechanization. Walk into the Central Court and see a Conestoga wagon, whaling boats, carriages and antique fire engine suspended overhead. There are 40,000 tools of more than 60 early American crafts and trades displayed. Interactive exhibits for children. Open daily. Take Septa R5 to Doylestown. Pine & Ashland Sts., Doylestown, PA. (215) 345-0210. www.mercermuseum.org.

The National Liberty Museum celebrates America's diversity and democracy with the stories of more than 2,000 "Heroes of Liberty," ranging from world leaders to the everyday heroes of September 11th. Life-sized dioramas and interactive exhibits provide visitors a fresh, hands-on perspective on liberty. The beauty and fragility of freedom is also captured in the Museum's stunning collection of contemporary glass art. More than 125 works, include the two-floor "Flame of Liberty" by artist Dale Chihuly, compare America's liberties to glass art - beautiful, but easily broken.

Established in 1975, Nexus/Foundation for Today's Art is as an artist-run, not for profit exhibition space. Nexus serves as an incubator for local emerging and experimental artists engaged in new art practices, and a venue for traveling and curated art exhibits exploring a wide range of present-day issues. Our exhibitions of challenging, innovative, and compelling contemporary art are intended to stimulate creative thought and dialog among the diverse visitors to Nexus.

Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond to care for the "sick-poor" and mentally ill of Philadelphia.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of The Philadelphia Antiques Show, recognized as the finest American antiques and decorative arts show in the country. The Show features 56 of the nation's leading dealers and galleries. This year's loan exhibit, The Schuylkill Villas, will showcase the history and architecture of 18th century houses in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park.

Philadelphia Sculptors is the only professional organization of sculptors in the Philadelphia region. Incorporated in 1997, our mission is to promote contemporary sculpture and serve as an advocate for sculptors by expanding public awareness of the role and value of sculpture within our culture. Since our inception, we have organized numerous indoor and outdoor juried and non-juried group exhibitions at both traditional and non-traditional venues and have sponsored programs, conferences, workshops and performances. Membership is open to all.

Philadelphia Theatre Company is dedicated to presenting the Philadelphia and world premieres of major works by contemporary American playwrights. We seek to develop an audience of open-minded theatre-goers across cultural, ethnic, and social lines by producing works that are at once challenging, entertaining and imaginatively staged. Under the direction of Sara Garonzik since 1982, PTC has produced over 100 World and Philadelphia premieres and has become home to dozens of nationally recognized artists.

Now entering its 30th Anniversary Season, Philomel Baroque enjoys an enviable reputation as Philadelphia’s premier original instruments ensemble. Philomel specializes in 17th- and 18th-century music and presents music for both baroque orchestra and chamber ensembles. Philomel’s activities include a major subscription series; an ongoing series of concerts exploring Music of Colonial Philadelphia and highlighting the musical world of Benjamin Franklin; East Coast touring; outreach programs around the Delaware Valley; as well as local and regional radio broadcasts and CD recordings.

Please Touch Museum is the first museum in the nation designed for children age seven and younger. The museum is home to nine interactive exhibits, including The SuperMarket, Barnyard Babies and Move It! Please Touch also features live theater performances and special art, science and musical gallery activites. Please Touch is the perfect first museum experience for children. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Located in the heart of Philadelphia's Museum District.

RELÂCHE, for 25 years, has maintained an international reputation as a leader in commissioning and performing the innovative music of our time. The Ensemble performs works from the "downtown" repertoire - a new avant garde that is neither classical, nor popular, but somewhere in between - a melding of Western classical traditions with jazz, rock, hip-hop, folk, electronica, world music, and a myriad of other styles.

Renaissance Artist Puppet Company's mission is to promote excellence in puppetry as a Theatrical art form and as an Educational tool by incorporating historical and cultural diversity along with quality performance techniques to tell our stories.

Singing City was founded in Philadelphia in 1948. The Choir remains committed to is founding vision of artistic excellence and betterment of the community. Singing City’s nationally recognized schools residency program, Singing City in the Schools was taken to a new level with the launching of the Singing City Prize for Young Composers. Winners benefit from a monetary prize, a performance of their work by Singing City, and a year under the tutelage of a professional composer. Under the banner of Performance, Community and Education, Singing City strives to be an artistic, social and spiritual force, bringing people together through choral music.

Stenton is “the most authentic of all Philadelphia’s historic houses,” noted for its early Georgian architecture and outstanding collections. James Logan – secretary to William Penn, merchant, politician, justice, scientist, and scholar - built Stenton in the 1720s as a country house. Benjamin Franklin spent long hours with Logan in the great Library at Stenton, discussing books, ideas and the affairs of the day. Virtually unchanged, Stenton is a place where visitors can gain insights into the shaping of Franklin’s views.

Walnut Street Theatre is America's oldest theatre, a National Historic Landmark, the official State Theatre of Pennsylvania and home to Philadelphia's most popular theatre company. Since 1809, many of the world's greatest theatre names have graced its stage, and many seminal works in American Theatre premiered at the Walnut Street Theatre, including Streetcar Named Desire, A Raisin in The Sun, and A Member of the Wedding. Today, with over 55,000 subscribers, the Walnut is the most subscribed theatre company in the world.