The Franklin Institute

Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s museum district, The Franklin Institute (TFI) is one of the nation’s oldest and leading centers for science education and innovation. Founded in 1824 in honor of America’s first scientist, the museum has dedicated more than 200 years to advancing science and technology learning in ways that would delight its namesake, Benjamin Franklin. 

Today, TFI is the most visited museum in Pennsylvania and one of Philadelphia’s top cultural destinations, serving as a prominent educational resource and economic driver. Each year, the museum engages more than one million people through experiences designed to inspire curiosity and a lifelong passion for discovery among students, families, educators, and adults. 

Since opening to the public in 1934 as the “Wonderland of Science,” TFI has continued to pioneer hands-on, immersive learning. The museum is home to the second-oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, open free to the public, and one of only a few national memorials managed by a private institution. 

Across three floors of interactive exhibits, guests explore science through engaging experiences and internationally recognized special exhibitions, like King Tut, Body Worlds, Galileo, Dead Sea Scrolls, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Disney100: The Exhibition, and Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition. 

In 2024, The Franklin Institute celebrated its bicentennial with the opening of Body Odyssey, a new exhibit surrounding the Giant Heart, and the Hamilton Collections Gallery, which placed hundreds of objects from its nationally significant collections—including artifacts related to Benjamin Franklin and the Wright Brothers—on public display. 

Celebrating more than 200 years of scientific achievement, The Franklin Institute Awards Program is among the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honors in science, technology, and industry, recognizing innovators such as Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Nikola Tesla, and more recently, Jane Goodall, Frances Arnold, and David Rubenstein. 

Beyond its museum walls, The Franklin Institute delivers educational resources to classrooms, libraries, and communities worldwide, supporting underserved youth, educators, and lifelong learners while creating pathways to STEM education and careers.