Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Ben Franklin Bust of Keys

Artist James Peniston made a bust of Ben Franklin inlaid in part with 1,000 casts of keys collected by school children.

Address:: 325 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA
Directions:: Near the corner of N 4th St and Arch St. on a brick pedestal.
Hours:: Open daily can be seen from the street Local health policies may affect hours and access.

Results 1 to 3 of 3...

Visitor Tips and News About Ben Franklin Bust of Keys

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Keys.

Ben Franklin Bust of Keys

One of the many tributes to Benjamin Franklin throughout the city of Philadelphia. It' a huge sculpted bust; the surface is inlaid with a thousand keys collected by school kids. It's located at the entry to Girard Fountain Park on Arch Street.

[Mike Gassmann, 11/02/2018]

The official name of the big Franklin head is "Keys to Community." In 2007 it replaced a 1971 Franklin head, "Penny Benny," which was inlaid with thousands of you-know-whats.

Ben Franklin keys.

Ben Franklin Bust of Keys

So many amazing historical things to see in Philadelphia that are so close together. This bust made of keys is a one minute walk from Ben Franklins grave.

[Brian From Rockland County NY, 03/24/2018]

Franklin bust keys.

Ben Franklin Keys to Community

Next to the fire station is a nine foot tall bronze bust of Ben Franklin decorated in part with casts of 1,000 keys collected by school children. Artist James Peniston engaged the kids to provide the keys and to collect over 1.8 million pennies to pay for his bronze casting that overlooks the street. The artist also used bronze nameplates of fallen Philadelphia firefighters in his alloy when casting the massive work.

[Phil Pasquini, 10/07/2015]