It's All About the Benjamins

NPS: Philly's Franklin Museum needs $18M upgrade

PHILADELPHIA -- A Philadelphia museum built to honor Benjamin Franklin needs an overhaul, the National Park Service said.
 
The agency plans to ask Congress for $6 million this fiscal year toward a planned $18 million renovation of the Franklin Court museum.
 
The 7,000 square foot underground museum opened for the nation's bicentennial to honor one of Philadelphia's most well-known figures. It's built at the site in the city's historic neighborhood where Franklin's three-story brick house once stood.
 
But now, many of the exhibits don't work and the roof leaks. Officials also say some exhibits don't resonate with children the way they first did more than 30 years ago.
 
The Pew Charitable Trusts has already promised a $6 million matching grant and also helped raise more than $5 million.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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