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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: LEAD RELEASE

'Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World' Opens at History Center, Day After Thanksgiving, November 27, 2009

In many ways Benjamin Franklin is the founding father nobody knows – misunderstood because of the sheer breadth and diversity of his accomplishments. Discover the adventures of this extraordinary man and the many ways he has affected our world today when "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World," presented by Xcel Energy, comes to the Minnesota History Center the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, 2009.

You know about Ben Franklin's famous experiment with a kite, a key and some lightning, but did you also know about his rebellious youth? That he pioneered wind surfing and invented swim fins? That he helped found the nation's first hospital, was an environmentalist and charted the Gulf Stream to assist in ocean travel?

Dan Spock, Director, History Center Museum, says "Ben is by far the most charismatic founding father. The exhibit shows how Franklin went from self-taught teenage runaway to pivotal statesman and scientist. And his writings are still hilarious." The exhibit is laid out in six sections including Character Matters, B. Franklin Printer, Civic Visions, Useful Knowledge, World Stage and Seeing Franklin. In addition, visitors will experience more than 40 interactive opportunities, all inspired by Franklin's charming blend of curiosity, wit and wisdom.

The "Electricity Party" area, developed by The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis, is where adults and children can get a charge out of learning about electricity. The exhibit features a "please-touch" generator and activities where visitors can create static electricity to make hair stand up, confetti dance and sparks fly.

This exhibit, originally developed in celebration of the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth in 2006, and redesigned by the Minnesota Historical Society, is meant to immerse the visitor in Franklin's world, providing an introduction to many previously unknown aspects of his life and career.

"Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" will be on view through July 4, 2010. Admission to the exhibit is included with regular museum admission of $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, $5 for children ages 6 to 17, and free for children age 5 and under and Minnesota Historical Society members. Educational and group tours are available, call 651-259-3000.

Media seeking additional information about the exhibit can access the original web site at www.benfranklin300.org. A new web site will be available soon at www.mnhs.org/benfranklin. For information about the Minnesota History Center, visitors can call 651-259-3000 or visit www.mnhs.org.

Attend a media and blogger preview on Friday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. or Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. (please note new time). Media can tour the exhibit and conduct interviews with:

• Page Talbott, exhibit curator, Philadelphia
• Dan Spock, director, Minnesota History Center Museum
• Kate Roberts, exhibit curator, Minnesota History Center Museum

Media are encouraged to bring their families and to stay afterwards to visit the other History Center museum galleries. Please RSVP by emailing Jessica.Kohen@mnhs.org or calling 651-259-3148.

"Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" is presented by Xcel Energy with additional support by Medtronic Foundation. Media support is provided by KARE 11 and WCCO Radio. Program support is provided by The Bakken Museum.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849 to preserve and share Minnesota history. The Society tells the stories of history through museum exhibits developed by the Society, traveling exhibits from other museums and organizations, extensive libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing.

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