Franklin in Boston
There’s plenty to talk about, so it’s time to start a list.
Archive of posts filed under the Locations category.
Franklin and Broomcorn
I enjoyed this story out yesterday for a lovely new piece of public art, pictured above, and what I sense is the good-natured whimsy of the town of Arcola, Illinois. Arcola is embracing its history as The Broomcorn Capital of the World, and has privately commissioned a statue by Jerry McKenna honoring Benjamin Franklin for …
Letters Library Analysis
The Letters Library has done a data analysis on 150,000 letters in the Founders Online Library, including all of Benjamin Franklin’s known correspondence. The graphics of his network of correspondents at three different periods of his life is beautiful. Congrats!
Franklin Square (DC) Renovation
Franklin Square in Washington, DC is undergoing a renovation in 2020. The idea to move the statue of Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania Avenue strikes me very favorably, and I’ll use this page to collect links and information. See Also June 2020: Franklin Square to Close August 2020: Tree Removal August 2020: Opinion: Move the Statue …
From One Statue to Another
Following up on Bumping into Franklin on the West Wing, I found a sweet connection to a dear friend. The seated statuette is a copy of the James Earle Fraser statue at the headquarters of the Franklin Life Insurance Company, Springfield, Illinois, dedicated in 1949. The Sangamon County Historical Society presents the statue on SangamonLink, …
Franklin and the Folger Library
These are two of my favorite topics: Franklin and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC. The two overlap in many ways, but I want to start with a quote of the library’s founder that I came across for the first time today. Henry Folger traced his line back to Abiah’s father, Peter. Henry once …
The State of Franklin
A part of Eastern Tennessee was once envisioned as a state named in honor of Franklin. See also Atlas Obscura story, April 2020.
Franklin Celebration 2020
Bring with you sweet flow’rets from grove and from streamOf things more than mortal your Franklin did dreamAnd beings not mortal shall lend you their aidTo deck the green grave where your Franklin is laid Since 1791, when that line was sung at the graduation ceremonies of The Philadelphia Academy, walking to the gravesite of …
Layoffs at HSP
So sorry to discover today’s posting at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that they have laid of ten staff members, representing a 30% reduction in workforce. I have encountered some precious materials there, entirely unique in Franklin’s legacy, and wish everyone involved well in their current difficulties.
Swimming Hall of Fame
There is a spectacular display on Franklin as a swimmer pictured in this report from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. There is an informative video of a public presentation to a group of young students. Congratulations to all involved!