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Square & Landmark

Statue of Benjamin Franklin

📍 School Street at Old City Hall, Boston, MA 02108, USA
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4.2/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
USA, Boston
Category
Square & Landmark
Duration
15-30 minutes
Address
School Street at Old City Hall, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Coordinates
42.3578, -71.0595

Introduction

The bronze Benjamin Franklin stands on a granite pedestal before Old City Hall on School Street, Boston — sculpted by Richard Saltonstall Greenough and unveiled in 1856, one of the city's earliest public monuments to a notable figure. Franklin wears the fur coat he took to France in 1776 and holds the Declaration of Independence, his most familiar public image; the pedestal inscriptions record his life, one face devoted to his work in electricity. The site was the first home of Boston Latin School, which the young Franklin attended, so the statue also nods to the schoolboy who became a founding father. It sits on the Freedom Trail in the same block as King's Chapel.

✨ Highlights

1
An 1856 bronze
Sculpted by Greenough, one of Boston's earliest public monuments to a notable figure.
2
Fur coat and Declaration
Franklin in his 1776 envoy's dress, holding the Declaration — his most familiar image.
3
Four inscribed faces
The pedestal records his life; one face is devoted to his work on electricity and the lightning rod.
4
Boston Latin School site
The school Franklin attended as a boy stood here — the city's most famous dropout.
5
Old City Hall backdrop
The 1865 Second Empire red-brick hall behind makes this the best photo pairing on School Street.
6
On the Freedom Trail
King's Chapel and Granary Burying Ground north, Park Street Church south.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：In front of Old City Hall on School Street (beside 45 School St)
→Metro：State (Blue/Orange) 2 min; Downtown Crossing 5 min
→Time needed：15-30 minutes; most Freedom Trail walkers stop briefly
→Photography：Morning light is best, with the Old City Hall façade behind
→Access：On the sidewalk, reachable with strollers and wheelchairs
→Opening Hours：{"note": "An outdoor public statue, viewable around the clock with no set hours"}
→Transportation：Metro Blue/Orange Line to State (2 min walk) or Red/Orange Line to Downtown Crossing (5 min); on the Freedom Trail along School St

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free AdmissionFree

A statue on the public street; no ticket needed

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Statue of Benjamin Franklin?

{"note": "An outdoor public statue, viewable around the clock with no set hours"}

How much is the admission for Statue of Benjamin Franklin?

Free Admission: Free; A statue on the public street; no ticket needed

How long should I spend at Statue of Benjamin Franklin?

A typical visit takes 15-30 minutes.