News Release

03/25/2008
Benjamin Franklin traveling exhibition to come to Providence Public Library April 10 – May 23 | all related events

Varied programs and events planned throughout April and May, 2008*

“Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World,” a traveling exhibition that will officially open at the Providence Public Library (PPL), Central Library, 150 Empire Street, (Lippitt Hall) on April 13, 2008 (Opening Day Event details below), tells the remarkable story of the man who began his life as a poor printer’s apprentice and ended it as a revered elder statesmen known throughout the world for his wisdom, wit, and resourcefulness. Benjamin Franklin’s achievements in diplomacy, science, philanthropy and other fields profoundly influenced the path of a new nation and continue to inspire us more than three hundred years after his birth.

Benjamin Franklin’s accomplishments were the result of a lifelong dedication to improving the world around him. “I would rather have it said, ‘He lived usefully,’ than ‘He died rich,’” he once wrote to his mother. Franklin also placed great value on self-improvement and believed that integrity and moral responsibility were the foundations for a successful life and a strong community.

“Franklin has a particular resonance in twenty-first century America,” biographer Walter Isaacson has written. “We would relate to the way he tried to balance, sometimes uneasily, a pursuit of reputation, wealth, earthly virtues, and spiritual values.” Although Franklin excelled at nearly everything he attempted, his first priority was to use his talents for the greater public good. He refused to seek a patent on his numerous inventions, believing that they should be universally available. As co-founder of a number of civic institutions, including America’s first public hospital and first lending library, and Philadelphia’s first firefighting brigade, Franklin continually encouraged his fellow citizens to collaborate in useful projects for the community.

“We are pleased to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Dale Thompson, PPL director. “Benjamin Franklin’s life is the quintessential American success story. His dedication to the welfare of the community, and his belief that overcoming society’s challenges required mutual action, collaboration and generosity on the part of all citizens, offers us inspiration as we face many difficult issues in contemporary American society. Benjamin Franklin has much to say to 21st century Americans.”

Franklin was the only American political figure to have signed five of his country’s key founding documents: the Albany Plan of Union (1754), Declaration of Independence (1776), Treaties of Amity and Commerce with France (1778), Treaty of Paris (1783) and U.S. Constitution (1787). His last years were spent in writing his autobiography, the most widely published memoir in history, and in promoting the abolition of slavery. In 1787, three years before his death, Franklin became the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention. Although he was in poor health, he played a significant role in the “Great Compromise,” which resulted in the legislature of two houses which is today the United States Congress.

Special programs and events planned in conjunction with the “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” exhibition’s visit to Rhode Island are presented by National Grid and also sponsored by the Rhode Island Freemasons and WJAR-10.*

Organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, Philadelphia, in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): great ideas brought to life. The traveling exhibit is based upon a major exhibit of the same name, developed by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, which has traveled to major cities in the United States and abroad (http://www.benfranklin300.org). The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary is a nonprofit organization established through a major grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts to educate the public about Franklin’s enduring legacy.

“Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” draws upon original documents in the collections of the American Philosophical Society, The Franklin Institute, the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the University of Pennsylvania, other museums and libraries, and private collectors. Photographs of handwritten and printed documents, objects owned by Franklin, maps, paintings and drawings provide a colorful background for Franklin’s story. The traveling exhibition was curated by Rosalind Remer, Ph.D., executive director of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, and Page Talbott, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary and chief curator of the original “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” exhibition.

PPL is sponsoring free programs and other events for the public in connection with the exhibition (see below and attached). Visit www.thelibraryonline.org or www.provlib.org for more information. “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” will be on display at the Library until May 23.

Rhode Island Sponsors
Special programs and events in conjunction with the “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” exhibition’s visit to Rhode Island are presented by National Grid and also sponsored by the Rhode Island Freemasons and WJAR-10.

Ben Franklin Exhibit Programs & Events at Providence Public Library

OPENING DAY RECEPTION & EVENTS – SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2:00 PM
Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Lippitt Exhibit Hall (First floor)
2:00 PM – Opening Remarks – Gordon S. Wood, Professor of History, Brown University
3:00 PM – Franklin portrayer Bill Ochester – “Benjamin Franklin: A 300 Year-Old Man Speaks” – Barnard Room

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS

Gordon S. Wood – “The Invention of Benjamin Franklin”
Monday, April 14, 6:00 pm – Central Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room

Imaginative “Inventions” Workshop
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 am – Central Library, 150 Empire Street, Children’s Room , (Call 455-8025 to register.)
Karen Lambe, Early Childhood Developer at the Providence Children’s Museum

Philip Dray – Meet the Author: Stealing God’s Thunder: Benjamin Franklin Lightening Rod and the Invention of America
Sunday, April 20, 2:00 pm – Central Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room

Ellen R. Cohn – “Historian as Detective: Solving the Mysteries in Franklin’s Papers”
Sunday, April 27, 2:00 pm – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room

Cecilia Brauer – “Ben Franklin and the glass Armonica” – lecture and performance
Sunday, April 27, 3:30 pm – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room
Ms. Brauer will be on hand during the Exhibit (1 – 5 pm)

Robert Allison – “Benjamin Franklin: How to Create a Better World”
Sunday, May 4, 2:00 pm – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room

Martha Elena Rojas – “American Imprints: Franklin’s Emblems for the New United States”
Monday, May 12, 6:30 pm – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room

Book Discussion/Signing – The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, by Gordon Wood
Monday, May 19, 6:00 pm – Central Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room
Book discussion will be led by a Providence Public Library librarian. Professor Gordon Wood will attend the book discussion to answer questions and be available for book signing.

Family Kite Making Day
Sunday, May 18, 1:30 and 3:00 pm – Central Library, 150 Empire Street, Barnard Room

Local kite-maker Tom Casselman will lead two kite-making programs for families. Workshops are free; registration required. Call 455-8025 to register. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Providence Public Library is committed to providing quality programming on a variety of educational topics. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Library. We welcome community members to work with us to provide free, thought-provoking events of interest.