Commemorative plaque reading Benjamin Franklin lived here, 1706-1790

Share

Few American figures left as many traces across the country as Benjamin Franklin, and this plaque, which simply states that he lived on the site and gives his dates of 1706 to 1790, marks one of those places. Such markers were often placed by local historical societies or civic groups to tie a building or lot to a famous resident, since many of the homes where Franklin lived no longer stand. Franklin spent his life as a printer, writer, scientist, and diplomat, and his years of residence bridge the colonial era and the early republic. The plaque's plain wording reflects a common practice of commemoration, where a few words and dates are enough to connect passersby to a life that shaped the nation.

More from the Presidents collection

Snapshots of the Past helps heritage brands, museums, historians and storytellers tell stories with history: historic prints, image licensing and historical storytelling drawn from more than 25 years of research and curation.