Franklin Institute
| Type | Science museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 222 N 20th Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Logan Square |
| Phone | (215) 448-1200 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1824 |
| Founder | Samuel Vaughan Merrick |
| Collection | Extensive science exhibits |
| Visitors | 1,000,000+/year |
| Admission | $25 adults, $21 children |
| Hours | Daily 9:30am-5pm |
| Transit | SEPTA Suburban Station, Bus 32, 33, 38 |
| Architect | John T. Windrim (1934 building) |
The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most prominent science museums in the United States, located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Logan Square. Named for Benjamin Franklin, the museum welcomes over one million visitors annually with interactive exhibits on science, technology, and innovation.[1]
History
Founding
The Franklin Institute was founded in 1824 by Samuel Vaughan Merrick and William H. Keating to honor Benjamin Franklin and promote scientific education. Originally focused on mechanical arts and applied science, the Institute played a key role in American industrialization, testing inventions and setting technical standards.
The 1934 Building
The current neoclassical building, designed by John T. Windrim, opened on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 1934 as part of the broader City Beautiful development of the Parkway. The building's centerpiece is the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, featuring a 20-foot marble statue of Franklin in a domed rotunda.
Modern Era
The Franklin Institute has continuously evolved, adding interactive exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and traveling exhibitions. Major renovations in the 2010s updated exhibits and added new galleries.
Exhibits
Permanent Exhibits
- The Giant Heart — The museum's most iconic exhibit, a two-story walk-through model of a human heart, has educated visitors since 1954
- The Train Factory — A 350-ton Baldwin locomotive and hands-on railroad exhibits
- Electricity — Interactive demonstrations of electrical principles
- Your Brain — Neuroscience exhibits exploring how the brain works
- Space Command — Space exploration, astronomy, and the Fels Planetarium
- SportsZone — The physics and physiology of sports
- Sir Isaac's Loft — Hands-on science area for young children
The Fels Planetarium
The Fels Planetarium, opened in 1933, was the second planetarium in the United States. It has been updated with digital projection technology for astronomy shows and immersive experiences.
IMAX Theater
The Franklin Institute's IMAX theater features one of the largest screens in Philadelphia, showing science documentaries and feature films.
Traveling Exhibitions
The museum hosts major traveling exhibitions on topics from King Tut to the science of Pixar animation.
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
The building's rotunda houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, the only national memorial in Philadelphia:
- 20-foot-tall marble statue by James Earle Fraser
- 82-foot domed ceiling
- Murals depicting Franklin's achievements
- Official national memorial since 1972
The Franklin Awards
The Franklin Institute Awards, established in 1824, are among the oldest and most prestigious science and technology prizes in the world. Past laureates include:
- Thomas Edison (1915)
- Marie Curie (1921)
- Albert Einstein (1935)
- Stephen Hawking (1981)
- Jane Goodall (2011)
Visiting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9:30am-5pm |
| Admission | $25 adults, $21 children; IMAX and special exhibits extra |
| Address | 222 N 20th Street |
| Parking | On-site garage, street parking |
| Best for | Families, school groups, science enthusiasts |
| Time needed | 3-4 hours for main exhibits |
Getting There
- SEPTA Regional Rail — Suburban Station (short walk)
- SEPTA Bus — Routes 32, 33, 38
- Parking — On-site garage
- Walking — On the Parkway at 20th Street
Frequently Asked Questions
See Also
References
- ↑ "About The Franklin Institute". The Franklin Institute. Retrieved December 23, 2025