Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
Park Monument honoring Franklin with large seated statue
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial stands inside Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute: a large neoclassical rotunda and seated statue of Franklin. Visitors pair the memorial with hands-on exhibits at the museum and nearby historic sites.
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is a memorial to Benjamin Franklin located in the Franklin Institute on Logan Square in Philadelphia. It is centered on a large seated statue of Franklin that is roughly 20 feet tall.
The focal point is the monumental seated statue by sculptor James Earle Fraser, set within a domed rotunda inside the Franklin Institute. The scale of the statue and the rotunda make it a prominent indoor landmark on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The memorial was created for display at the Franklin Institute and the statue was executed by James Earle Fraser. Over time the site has served as a formal indoor monument to Franklin and a point of civic display within the museum complex.
The memorial sits on Logan Square in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, inside the Franklin Institute on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- Statue size: The seated statue measures about 20 feet (6.1 m) in height and dominates the rotunda.
- Access: Located inside the Franklin Institute on Logan Square, it is accessible from the museum building.
How to Get to Benjamin Franklin National Memorial #
The memorial is in the rotunda of the Franklin Institute on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in central Philadelphia. From Center City, it’s a 10-20 minute walk west along the Parkway; several SEPTA bus routes and regional rail stops serve the area. Check the Franklin Institute website for museum hours if one wants interior access.
Tips for Visiting Benjamin Franklin National Memorial #
- The statue is in the rotunda of the Franklin Institute - it can be photographed without paying museum admission, but accessing the rotunda is easiest during museum hours.
- Visit on weekday mornings to avoid school groups and weekend family crowds in the museum's surrounding spaces.
- Notice the 20-foot marble statue's scale: an inscription mentions it was sculpted by James Earle Fraser and dedicated in 1938; look for commemorative plaques around the rotunda for context.
Best Time to Visit Benjamin Franklin National Memorial #
The memorial is viewable year-round; visit with the Franklin Institute for best access to the rotunda and exhibitions.
Weather & Climate near Benjamin Franklin National Memorial #
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1129 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (113 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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