Philadelphia in Franklin's era was known as the Athens of the New World. As master builders and carpenters erected homes ranging from simple to elaborate, Franklin turned his attention to safety features that were both useful and practical helping to provide the infrastructure for this growing metropolis. Through his Pennsylvania Gazette he stressed the need for a better water supply, urged the formation of fire companies, and suggested the paving and lighting of streets. In his private time he created the Franklin stove and his experiments with electricity gave rise to the lightning rod.

On January 16, 2015, the Franklin Birthday Celebration will present the Franklin Founders Award to Laurie D. Olin in recognition of his lifetime work in landscape design and urban planning. In 2013, Mr. Olin received the National Medal of Arts. His work through his firm, The Olin Studio, has helped make Philadelphia a more livable and successful city - a shining reflection of Dr. Franklin's commitment to the improvement of civic life.

Events

The 2015 Philadelphia Celebration includes a free morning seminar on the topic of Building the City.
 

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Location: Benjamin Franklin Hall

• Dr. Sandra L. Tatman, Executive Director of The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
• Paul R. Levy, President and CEO of the Central Philadelphia Development Corp.
• Harris M. Steinberg, FAIA, Executive Director of the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation, Drexel University

Procession, wreath laying and tributes at Benjamin Franklin's grave

11:00 am - 11:45 am

Procession will begin at the American Philosophical society's Library Hall

Luncheon in celebration of Laurie D. Olin

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District, 400 Arch Street

Cost: Individual ticket $70

To reserve your ticket, please visit www.ushistory.org/Celebration