Ben Franklin: In Search of A Better World, at the Minnesota History Museum

1.17.10 UPDATE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEN FRANKLIN!
In honor of Mr. Franklin's 304th birthday, the Minnesota Historical Society has recently added another fascinating artifact to Ben Franklin: In Search of A Better World. This late edition to the exhibit is a rare draft of the U.S. Constitution -- it's a version that is older than the hand-written document in the collections of the National Archives.

I LEARNED A VALUABLE LESSON AT THE MINNESOTA HISTORY MUSEUM'S Ben Franklin exhibit: If I ever decide to curate a show about Ben Franklin, I'm going to fill a room with things he didn't have a part in creating. It will be easier that way.

The guy pretty much invented para sailing, for pete's sake -- he'd float in the water while flying a kite because he enjoyed being pulled around in the water. This is one of his lesser-known kite experiments, of course. I guess he really liked kites.

With that, Ben Franklin: In Search of A Better World, opening at the Minnesota History Museum on Friday November 27, has many interesting surprises along with new ways of looking at the more commonly known Ben Franklin facts.

There are interactive displays throughout, including touch-screen choose-your-own-adventure style games in which you recreate Franklin's trek from New York, south along the Eastern seaboard, using up shillings to buy food and passage. Here's a tip, kids: don't pick the option to sleep in the flop house. All your food and money will get stolen.

Besides his affinity for lightening, Franklin may be most well-known for being a printer (or creating libraries or organizing fire departments). A touch-screen printing press demonstration is part of the exhibit, which is in the same room as Franklin's actual printing equipment and publications.

There are many Franklin originals in this exhibit, including his books and even his wallet which hides a receipt for rum, as well as an original item that belonged to Franklin's father, who was a soap and candle maker. Much like the red and white spiral poles denoting barber shops, Franklin's father used a big blue ball to represent his store. The MNHS has this ball on display.

The original one.



This exhibit is host to an oddly touching reunion, one that involves Franklin's china breakfast bowl and his silver spoon, gifts from his wife. At some point the bowl and spoon were separated, perhaps filling exhibits at separate museums. For this exhibit however, after being separated for 100 years, the bowl and spoon are reunited and share a clear protective display box.

It's difficult to not list each and every object in this exhibit, as every item is fascinating. But, in keeping with Ben Franklin's lifelong lust for learning and discovery, I will leave you to head over to the Minnesota History Museum in St. Paul to make some discoveries of your own.

If anything, though, just go to experience the fan chairs.


Visit my entire photoset from this exhibit on my Flickr page.

When you visit MNHS, be sure to check out another of my favorites called Open House. Here's what I have to say about it, as published in City Pages:

"Open House: If These Walls Could Talk," is the recreation of a house that still exists in the Railroad Island neighborhood of St. Paul. The Minnesota History Museum is always bursting with hands-on exhibits, and "Open House" is no exception. Upon entering the house, every object in the Victorian-era living room begs to be touched, including a piano that acts much like its stage-fright-addled owner. Each successive room is dedicated to a later era and other families who lived there. In the bedroom there is a sign on the pink chenille-covered bed that says Sit On Me. Sitting on the bed awakes an audio recording of a woman telling a hilarious—and startling—story about a troublesome bed she owned when she lived in the house in the '50s. Even the littlest objects trigger stories and home movies. The dining-room table has an amazing setting, which will only whet your appetite for more stories and delightful surprises.

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Minnesota History Center
345 Kellogg Blvd W.
St. Paul MN 55102-1903
651-259-3000, 651-282-6073 (TTY)
800-657-3773 (toll free)

$10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.

Hours for Museum and Stores:
Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (free admission 5 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays except Monday holidays year round (open Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's day.

Library Hours:
Tuesday noon to 8 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Closed Monday, Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends, and major holidays including the day after Thanksgiving.