Penn Library Marks Benjamin Franklin's 300th Birthday With a History of Philadelphia-Area Schools Exhibit

WHAT:Opening of Benjamin Franklin exhibit, "Educating the Youth of Pennsylvania: Worlds of Learning in the Age of Franklin"

WHEN:Jan. 17, 2006, 5 p.m.

WHERE:University of Pennsylvania

Van Pelt Library

Rare Books and Manuscripts

Locust Walk, near 34th Street

The exhibit highlights Benjamin Franklin's contributions to education in the Philadelphia area, including the founding of the University of Pennsylvania.  The exhibit also puts Franklin's vision into perspective with glimpses of the educational environment in the Philadelphia region in the 18th century at schools such as Germantown Academy, Episcopal Academy and the Westtown School.

Examples of what students did in school, how they learned and what they learned will be on display.  The exhibit includes a three-dimensional handmade cloth needlework globe made by a Westtown School student in 1817, an alphabet chart from the early 1800s and a gallery of photos of buildings that once functioned as schooling sites, such as the humble one-room schoolhouse of the Beggarstown School on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia.  

Also on display is a book printed by Benjamin Franklin in 1750 recently acquired by the Penn Library and believed to be the only copy that exists.  "The Friendly Instructor" is a book written as a guide for proper conduct for young boys and girls.  The book is on display in the exhibit and is the most recent major addition to Penn's Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  

High-resolution digital photos of some of the exhibit items are available upon request.

The exhibit runs from Jan. 17 through May 31.