Tercentenary Franklin Exhibition at Orland Park Public Library

The Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibition was organized by the Benjamn Franklin Tercentenary, and the American Library Association, Public Programs Office. The 1,000 square foot traveling exhibition was made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life.

The splendid exhibit is now on display through February 19, 2010 at the Orland Park Public Library in Orland Park, Illinois. The library has scheduled more than 20 activities and events to complement the display.

Christopher Lowell as Benjamn Franklin

One of America's foremost presenters of Dr. Franklin can be seen in the video.

He recently visited the Swedenborg Memorial Library of Urbana University in Ohio to amplify the national traveling exhibition.

Picturing America Exhibit and Franklin

The Illinois State Library is currently displaying art prints from the "Picturing America" portfolio from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Prints from the 40 large, high-quality reproductions of great American art will be displayed on the library's second floor bridge throughout the rest of the summer. Prints include a James Audubon watercolor of pink flamingos; a stained-glass window by Tiffany; and a black-and-white photograph of Abraham Lincoln by Alexander Gardner as well as a handsome photograph of the 1862 Hiram Powers statue of Benjamin Franklin in the U.S. Senate Collection. All of the artwork is accompanied by "Artist Bio" and "Inspiration" statements as well as a listing of linked resources.

"Picturing America" is distributed by the NEH in cooperation with the American Library Association.
To view the entire collection, visit the Picturing America website.

Benjamin Franklin and the Hudson Valley

is the fall tour, September 30-October 4, sponsored by the Friends of Franklin. The tour will explore Franklin's New York connections in the scenic Hudson Valley and consider the 3 themes connecting Franklin to this area: his 1754 Albany Plan of Union, his 1776 visit of Canada to advance the American Revolution, and the Indian treaties he negotiated at Fort Stanwix. For further information contact Kathy DeLuca at 856-854-7257.

Fourth of July is Independence Day

Check out the U.S. government's web page replete with histories, quizzes, recipes, and more, even the founding document.

What kind of computer would Dr. Franklin own?

Dr. Alan Houston's Amazing Discovery at the British Library

Dr. Houston, a political science profesor at the Unversity of California at San Diego, came across copies of 47 letters writen by Benjamin Franklin. His Spring,2007 find is reported in the April issue of the William and Mary Quarterly.