Franklin Court
| Type | Historic site / Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 314-322 Market Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Old City |
| Phone | (215) 965-2305 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1976 |
| Hours | Daily 9am-5pm |
Franklin Court is a historic site and museum complex in Old City, Philadelphia, located on the block where Benjamin Franklin's house once stood. It's part of Independence National Historical Park, and the site features a "ghost structure" outline of Franklin's home, an underground museum, a working print shop, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum.[1]
History
Franklin's Home
Benjamin Franklin lived on this site from 1763 to 1790, though he spent considerable time abroad in London and Paris. He returned to Philadelphia in 1785 and died here five years later. The original house no longer exists, having been demolished in 1812, decades after Franklin's death.
The Site Today
For over a century, Franklin's former property remained undeveloped. That changed in the 1950s and 60s when the site underwent excavation. When the area opened as a memorial in 1976, it coincided with America's Bicentennial celebration and gave visitors a new way to connect with one of the nation's most important figures.
The Ghost Structure
Design
Here's the real challenge: Franklin's house is gone, and no pictures of it survive. So architect Robert Venturi came up with something clever instead of pretending to know what it looked like. He designed a steel frame that outlines where the building stood, showing its footprint without attempting false reconstruction. The excavated foundations sit beneath the frame, visible to anyone walking through the courtyard.
Significance
The "ghost structure" has become a landmark of postmodern architecture in its own right. It's a genuinely creative response to an impossible situation: how do you memorialize a building that no longer exists and was never documented visually? Venturi's solution was elegant. Honest. It doesn't lie about what we don't know.
Benjamin Franklin Museum
Underground Museum
Below the courtyard sits the Benjamin Franklin Museum, an underground space packed with information about Franklin's remarkable life. You'll find interactive exhibits covering his scientific demonstrations and inventions, his diplomatic career, and details about his personal life and family. It's immersive without being overwhelming.
Admission
The courtyard and ghost structure don't cost anything. The underground museum charges $5 for adults, a modest fee for what you get. If you're visiting other sites within Independence National Historical Park, some combined passes exist.
Other Features
B. Free Franklin Post Office
This is a working post office, and it's still operating. You can actually mail letters from here using a hand-cancellation stamp with Franklin's portrait on it. Collectors love this place. There's something special about sending a letter postmarked "B. Free Franklin" from his own neighborhood.
Printing Office
Franklin was a printer by trade, and the site includes a working 18th-century print shop where rangers demonstrate how period printing actually worked. They explain Franklin's career in the trade and show visitors the techniques that would've been common in his day.
Market Street Houses
Franklin owned a row of restored 18th-century houses on Market Street that he rented out as income property. These structures now feature architectural exhibits and period rooms that give you a sense of what daily life looked like in that era.
Visiting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9am-5pm |
| Admission | Courtyard free; Museum $5 adults |
| Address | Enter from Market Street (between 3rd and 4th) |
| Time needed | 45 minutes - 1 hour |
| Managed by | National Park Service |
Tips
The courtyard is free and worth lingering in, even if you skip the museum. Still, the underground museum deserves the small fee if you've got the time. You should definitely send a letter from the B. Free Franklin Post Office if you can. Watch a printing demonstration if one's happening. On top of that, consider combining your visit with other Independence Park sites nearby.
Getting There
Take the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line to 2nd Street Station and you're close. It's walking distance from Independence Hall, right in the heart of Old City. The entrance sits on Market Street in a mid-block archway between 3rd and 4th.
Frequently Asked Questions
See Also
References
- ↑ "Franklin Court". National Park Service. Retrieved December 23, 2025