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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin's Grave

Ben Franklin, famous kite-flier and revolutionary, has an easily-visible grave that people throw pennies onto, perhaps hoping that the accumulated metal will attract lighting.

Christ Church Burial Ground

Address:
Arch St., Philadelphia, PA
Directions:
Christ Church Burial Ground. In the historic district, on the south side of Arch St. just east of its intersection with N. 5th St. The grave slab is visible for free on the far side of an iron gate, but you can get a better view by wandering the cemetery for a small fee.
Hours:
M-Sa 10-4, Su 12-4 Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:
Adults $3.
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Ben Franklin's Grave.

Ben Franklin's Grave

Benjamin Franklin is buried with his wife Deborah, daughter Sarah, and son Francis (his other son was a Loyalist during the Revolution, and is buried in England). The Christ Church Preservation Trust restored the Franklin family plot in 2017 -- adding a new brick walkway, marble edging, and repairing the major crack in Ben's tablet. The brick wall near Franklin was replaced with an iron fence in the late 1800s so folks could see his grave from the street. If you are into cemetery walks, pay to go in! You can pay your last respects to many historical movers and Quakers.

[Mike Gassmann, 11/03/2018]

Franklin plaque.

Benjamin Franklin's Grave

There is a brass plaque for the Last Resting Place of Benjamin Franklin on the cemetery wall. There were lots of pennies on Ben's grave for some reason.

[Shannon Hiser, 11/29/2016]

It's a longstanding tradition to toss pennies on Franklin's marble ledger tablet -- to the point that funds are currently being raised to repair coin cracks and damage.

Benjamin Franklin's Grave.

Benjamin Franklin's Grave

The grave of founding father Benjamin Franklin is in Christ Church Burial Ground. People throw pennies on it for luck. It can be seen from the street, or from inside the cemetery for a fee. Other notable burials here include multiple signers of the Declaration of Independence.

[Sarah, 08/15/2015]

The notion that visitors accrue drastically more luck by tossing $100 bills onto it has yet to catch on.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Peter, Stuffed Eagle of the MintPeter, Stuffed Eagle of the Mint, Philadelphia, PA - < 1 mi.
Ben Franklin Bust of KeysBen Franklin Bust of Keys, Philadelphia, PA - < 1 mi.
Bolt of Lightning: Bad ArtBolt of Lightning: Bad Art, Philadelphia, PA - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Statue Covered Lawn, Paulsboro, NJ - 9 mi.

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