Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Happy Birthday Mr. Franklin
In case you missed it today is Ben Franklin's 300th Birthday! If you don't live in Philadelphia that might not be front page news. But here, in a city where you can't more with out tripping over something (or someone or other) Franklin, your morning cup of coffee started off with this. Now many here probably don't like all the "Benergy" in this town for the year (yes that is the official city slogan for the celebration). I, however, love this kind of stuff and some of my favorite things in Philly are things Franklin. Like Franklin Court the site of his home here. I like it in part because of all the archaeology and historic documents they have used and included to interpret the site (the building no longer exists and they haven't tried to rebuild it because they don't have enough information, instead they have nicely presented what they have in a slightly abstract way) and adjacent buildings which give you a view of Franklin's life and how we know what we know.
Those adjacent buildings include a print shop and post office that Franklin ran.
Not far away is first firehouse. His grave is also near by in the church yard of Christ Church Episcopal. (He was born in Boston) . Pennsylvania Hospital , founded by Franklin and the first in the country is not far either. And of course there is the big exhibit at the Constitution Center which I am hoping to go take the kids to see before it leaves this spring.
On the campus of the University of Pennsylvania which Franklin founded, there are close to a dozen statues of the man. My favorite is a bronze of him seated on a park bench reading a paper complete with bronze pigeon. You can sit right down and have a chat with Ben. (I had trouble finding an image on line but you can search for one of the many hidden in the montage linked to above.)
For now the kids and I are just doing some Ben related reading and worksheets. I am still waiting for the glass armonica recording I ordered to come but we read a good book picture about Ben's inventing of this instrument and another about the invention of the lightning rod, giving context to the famous kite experiment. Since you can't go wrong with Gene Fritz we also read "What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?" which was a great age appropriate and fun overview.
With that I cede the computer to my husband and go off to iron so I can celebrate Mr. Franklin by obeying him in going early to bed and rising early, cause who doesn't want to be healthy, wealthy and wise.
Those adjacent buildings include a print shop and post office that Franklin ran.
Not far away is first firehouse. His grave is also near by in the church yard of Christ Church Episcopal. (He was born in Boston) . Pennsylvania Hospital , founded by Franklin and the first in the country is not far either. And of course there is the big exhibit at the Constitution Center which I am hoping to go take the kids to see before it leaves this spring.
On the campus of the University of Pennsylvania which Franklin founded, there are close to a dozen statues of the man. My favorite is a bronze of him seated on a park bench reading a paper complete with bronze pigeon. You can sit right down and have a chat with Ben. (I had trouble finding an image on line but you can search for one of the many hidden in the montage linked to above.)
For now the kids and I are just doing some Ben related reading and worksheets. I am still waiting for the glass armonica recording I ordered to come but we read a good book picture about Ben's inventing of this instrument and another about the invention of the lightning rod, giving context to the famous kite experiment. Since you can't go wrong with Gene Fritz we also read "What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?" which was a great age appropriate and fun overview.
With that I cede the computer to my husband and go off to iron so I can celebrate Mr. Franklin by obeying him in going early to bed and rising early, cause who doesn't want to be healthy, wealthy and wise.
