Explore The Curious Mind Of One Of History’s Most Dynamic Figures

GREENWICH — What do the lightning rod, bifocals, the first American political cartoon, and glass armonica have in common?

They all came from the fertile mind of Benjamin Franklin.

In the exhibition “Ben Franklin’s Curious Mind,” on view from January 28 until through April 23, The Bruce Museum of Arts and Science will celebrate the 300th birthday of one of our country’s most dynamic, inventive and distinguished citizens. With hands-on interactive displays based on his inventions and achievements plus original art and artifacts, the exhibition will bring to life Franklin’s remarkable accomplishments as printer, writer, scientist, inventor, citizen, statesman, and founding father.

The family-friendly exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: “Power of the Press,” which explores Franklin’s relationship to the printed word, both as printer and as author; “Engineering Solutions,” which looks at his many inventions and scientific studies and their resulting practical innovations; and “For the Greater Good,” which visits Franklin’s many roles as an American citizen and statesman, including as a founding father and signer of the Constitution, a leading diplomatic representative to England and France, and even as Postmaster General of the United States.

The exhibition will feature historic objects, artwork and hands-on activities that illuminate the American leader’s colorful life. Original artifacts such as 18th Century scientific instruments and Franklin’s personal letters will be on view along with art and illustrations that highlight Franklin’s influence and accomplishments. One notable highlight is an original copy of the Constitution owned and signed by Benjamin Franklin.

The items are on loan from private collections and museums including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, American Antiquarian Society, Yale University’s Peabody Museum of Natural History, the Gilder Lehrman Collection at New-York Historical Society, and American Numismatic Society.

The show will also offer 21st Century experiments based on Franklin’s varied work to engage visitors of all ages. Guests will get a charge out of hands-on displays explaining electrostatic generation, try a printing activity, and discover the haunting sounds of Franklin’s favorite invention, the glass armonica.

A timeline and an activity book by Lillian Butler Davey resident intern Whitney A. Martinko and Curator of Science Dr Carolyn R. Rebbert will accompany the exhibition.

The museum will also host a variety of family and adult activities in conjunction with “Ben Franklin’s Curious Mind,” ranging from Young People’s Concerts featuring 18th Century music and February school vacation workshops to a visit by a costumed Franklin interpreter.

Among the special events is a family day planned for Sunday, February 26, from 1 to 4 pm. “Celebrating Ben Franklin” will offer hands-on activities and demonstrations for the whole family including Daniel Rosenberg from Harvard University’s science department and his “exploding Thunder House.” At 3 pm, Flying Ship Productions from Encore! will present “The Courage To Dream: The Amazing Life of Ben Franklin,” a show suitable for children in first grade and above.

The museum will offer free admission to anyone named Franklin that day; ID is required.

On Sunday, March 26, at 3 pm, the museum will host “Franklin the Musician.”

Ellen Cohn, editor in chief of The Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Yale University), will speak on Benjamin Franklin’s love of music, particularly simple “unaffected” airs. She will discuss the songs that Franklin wrote, the songs he quoted in his letters, the many instruments he played (including the one he invented, his ideas on music theory, and how playing and singing in intimate settings helped foster many of his most enduring friendships.

Ms Cohn is also a celebrated folk musicians and will sing some of Franklin’s songs during the lecture.

Cost for the program is $5, payable at the door; reservations are recommended.

The Bruce Museum of Arts and Science is at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich; telephone 203-869-0376 or visit www.BruceMuseum.org for more information including a full schedule of the Franklin-related programs.

The museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Free, on-site parking is available for all visitors.