Benjamin Franklin Grave Plaque

A simple, unassuming plaque. Yet, it marks the final resting place of one of history’s most remarkable figures. Here lies Benjamin Franklin, at the Christ Church Burial Ground. Benjamin Franklin, the printer, the statesman, the inventor, the writer, rests beneath our feet. The Christ Church Burial Ground isn’t just Franklin’s final home. It also houses the remains of his wife, Deborah, and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes, and George Ross. Opened in 1719, this burial ground became the chosen resting place for many prominent figures of the American Revolution. While the burial ground is usually open to the public, even when it’s not, you can still see Benjamin Franklin’s grave. Peer through the iron rails at the corner of 5th and Arch Streets. These rails, by the way, were installed in 1858 thanks to the Franklin Institute. They ensured that the public could always pay their respects to Franklin. One peculiar tradition stands out at the Benjamin Franklin Grave Plaque: leaving pennies. It’s a nod to Franklin’s famous saying, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” So, as you stand here, consider the life and legacy of this remarkable man, commemorated by a simple plaque, visited by thousands, and remembered with the toss of a penny.