Passage to Franklin Court - Ben Franklin - Philadelphia, PA
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Passage to Franklin Court - Ben Franklin - Philadelphia, PA
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The arched carriage entrance from Market Street to Franklin Court passes through the townhouses that Benjamin Franklin built as a rental property in the 1780s. Franklin traveled this passageway daily to and from his home in the courtyard. Although his house no longer exists, its former location is marked by a ghost structure outline along with archaeological remnants of his dwelling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The B. Free Franklin Post Office, a United States Postal Service subsidiary, is on the left side of the image. Benjamin Franklin was designated as Philadelphia's postmaster in 1737 and later ascended to co-Postmaster General for the British North American colonies. He held this role from 1757 to 1774, during which he implemented improvements in bookkeeping, delivery routes, and more to enhance postal service efficiency. Between 1775 and 1776, under the Continental Congress's jurisdiction, Franklin functioned as Postmaster General. Given that postmasters usually operated from their homes or printing offices during this era, this would not have been Franklin's actual post office.
On the right side of this image is a recreated 18th-century printing office. While this was not the location of Franklin’s Print Shop. Benjamin Franklin well understood the power of the press. He operated and played the pivotal role of the printed word during the American Revolution and the founding of the nation.
Copyright 2023 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
December 1st, 2023
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