Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery
Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World
February 10 – May 6, 2012
Founding Father, scientist, diplomat, humorist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, Benjamin Franklin is one of the most remarkable and influential Americans of any generation. Learn more about the many sides of Benjamin Franklin and discover his impact on the world in this fascinating, interactive exhibition.
Meet young Franklin in Boston, as a rebellious, ambitious teenager, and then travel with him to Philadelphia, London, and Paris. Learn about Franklin’s scientific experiments and civic initiatives, while exploring the world through his ever-curious eyes.
A special section appearing in Washington, DC, features original documents from the holdings of the National Archives -- including original Franklin letters, the original journals from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, and a rare 1787 printed version of the Constitution. This section includes the original Treaty of Paris of 1783. Negotiated and signed by Franklin, John Adams, John Jay for the United States and David Hartley for Great Britain, it formally ended the Revolutionary War and established the United States as an independent and sovereign nation.
Other exhibition highlights include:
- A print shop setting featuring 18th-century equipment and an opportunity to learn how to set type.
- Original scientific instruments dating from Franklin’s time, and correspondence from Franklin about his electrical experiments.
Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World is free and open to the public, and will be on display in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, through May 6, 2012.
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Learning activities and primary sources for teaching about the American Revolution on DocsTeach.
This Exhibition is organized by the Minnesota Historical Society in association with the Bakken Museum and Library and the National Archives. It is made possible in part by the Foundation for the National Archives and Lead Sponsor the General Motors Foundation with additional support from Stradley Ronon. Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World was originally organized by The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, a consortium of five Philadelphia institutions: the American Philosophical Society; The Franklin Institute; the Library Company of Philadelphia; Philadelphia Museum of Art; and University of Pennsylvania, with leading support from The Pew Charitable Trusts.
