Ben on the Bench Statue to Be Unveiled at Williamson County Archives and Museum
Franklin, Tennessee, is getting a new piece of public art with the arrival of a bronze Ben on the Bench statue by sculptor George Lundeen. The statue depicts Benjamin Franklin seated on a bench, inviting passersby to stop, sit, and engage with one of the nation’s most influential Founding Fathers.
The statue will be unveiled on January 17, 2026, marking Benjamin Franklin’s 320th birthday. It will be installed outside the Williamson County Archives and Museum, near the Five Points Post Office, a nod to Franklin’s role as America’s first Postmaster General.
The project is funded by a donation from Pamela Lewis, founder of PLA Media, made specifically in support of America250, the nationwide observance of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. Her contribution made the statue possible and positions the site as a lasting reminder of the Revolutionary era during a milestone year in American history.
Franklin’s connection to the city runs deeper than its name. The town of Franklin was founded in 1799 and named in his honor, and Williamson County takes its name from Dr. Hugh Williamson, a signer of the U.S. Constitution and a close friend of Franklin.
Alongside the statue, a companion historical marker will highlight Franklin’s role as the only Founding Father to sign four key documents of the nation’s founding, as well as his work as a printer, scientist, diplomat, and civic innovator. Inside the museum, a new gallery wall exhibit will expand on that story with archival portraits, reproductions of the Charters of Freedom, and the iconic painting of the signing of the Constitution, on view through the end of 2026.
The celebration begins at 10 am with the statue and marker unveiling, accompanied by fife and drum music, a Color Guard ceremonial musket salute, and living history elements. A public reception will immediately follow, featuring a military cake-cutting ceremony and birthday cake for attendees. A Benjamin Franklin historical interpreter will be available for photos and conversation. Families are encouraged to attend, with children invited to wear colonial attire or dress like Ben Franklin or Betsy Ross and explore the SAR-sponsored Patriot Box filled with hands-on Revolutionary Era objects.
Learn more and RSVP by emailing BenontheBenchTN@gmail.com.
