Penn: Franklin's University

Philadelphia, USA

A founding-themed walk across the university Benjamin Franklin built \u2014 the only Ivy founded by a Founding Father, and the secular, practical outlier among colleges training ministers. Since Penn's actual 1740s founding happened in Center City, this West Philadelphia campus tells the story through its Franklin monuments and oldest halls: from the young-runaway statue and Franklin Field, through Houston Hall (America's first student union) and College Hall with its presiding Franklin, to Van Pelt and a closing seat beside 'Ben on the Bench' on Locust Walk.

Stops on this walk

1. Young Benjamin Franklin
2. Franklin Field
3. Houston Hall
4. College Hall & the Franklin Statue
5. Van Pelt Library & The Button
6. Locust Walk: the Compass & Ben on the Bench

Read the story: Chasing Ben Franklin Across Penn's Campus: A West Philadelphia Walk Through the Only Ivy a Founding Father Built →

Part of: Ivy League Campus Walking Tours

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