Taking inspiration from Benjamin Franklin’s commitment to the pursuit of knowledge for the “Benefit of Mankind in General,” Dr. Franklin, Citizen Scientist considers the relationship between science and public life in the 18th-century Atlantic World. The exhibition examines the unequal production, circulation, application, and accessibility of scientific knowledge through the life and work of Benjamin Franklin. Throughout, it highlights lesser-known contributors to the scientific enterprise and the various spaces where science was performed.
The Virtual Tour and Exhibition Catalog expand upon the exhibition's themes and narrative. The Virtual Tour, split into separate tracks for Adults and Students, allows users to watch videos and explore curator-selected object highlights. The Exhibition Catalog features an essay by lead curator Janine Yorimoto Boldt and includes a complete Illustrated Checklist of the exhibition with accompanying labels.
This project has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this workshop do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The virtual tour of Dr. Franklin, Citizen Scientist allows users to explore the exhibition through two tracks: one for adults and one for youth.
The Curators provide narration and object selections for the adult track. Meanwhile, the youth track provides the same opportunities but for a 6th - 8th grade audience via videos and selections made by our Education Programs department.
Both tracks give users an in-depth view of the exhibition and allow for plenty of exploration!
The Exhibition Catalog features an essay by lead curator Janine Yorimoto Boldt that expands the narrative of the exhibition beyond the gallery. It also includes a complete Illustrated Checklist of the exhibition with accompanying labels, by Boldt and Emily A. Margolis. Download the complete catalog for free. Copies of the catalog will be available for sale, in-person only, when the exhibition opens to the public on Friday, August 6.