News From Terre Haute, Indiana

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January 19, 2012

Children’s Museum to host Benjamin Franklin birthday celebration

TERRE HAUTE — The Terre Haute Children’s Museum will celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s birthday from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 22 with a number of special activities and presentations, including a special appearance by Ben Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin, born Jan. 17, 1706, became famous for being a scientist, inventor, statesman, printer, philosopher and economist, and during the Benjamin Franklin Birthday Celebration, museum guests will get to learn about some of his many accomplishments. The celebration will feature presentations by community members and organizations and several hands-on experiments and activities for kids of all ages, coordinated by students from the Indiana State University Center for Mathematics Education.

Like everyone else, Benjamin Franklin was affected by weather; but unlike most people of his time, he tried to explain the reasons for various weather-related phenomena, and even discovered some ways to predict the weather. During Sunday’s event at the museum, WTHI chief meteorologist David Wire will be on hand to talk about how Franklin used observation to help explain weather and talk about some of the weather prediction tools that are used today.

Franklin’s interest in the scientific culture of the 18th century drew him into many positive acquaintances and associations. It was his friendship with Dr. Thomas Bond that inspired him to assist in the founding of Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first hospital. During the birthday celebration event at the museum, representatives from Union Hospital will teach guests about making healthy choices in exercise and nutrition.

In addition to helping start the nation’s first hospital, Franklin also started many other things. He started the first fire department, and representatives from the Terre Haute Fire Department will be on hand to share information about fire safety. He also established the first public lending library in America, and representatives from Cunningham Memorial Library at ISU will engage guests in a number of hands-on activities. Franklin was the first postmaster general, and the United States Postal Service will have information available regarding the postal service’s history and how barcodes have helped streamline mail sorting processes.

ISU’s Networks Financial Institute Networks Scholars also will be on hand to provide a brief lesson on how to “read” important information on U.S. paper currency, offer some quick fun exercises on counting money and share some of the unique security features on the new $100 Ben Franklin bill. There also will be events and activities related to Franklin’s role as a printer, publisher and journalist.

At 3:30 p.m., Ben Franklin will make an appearance at the museum to talk about his many accomplishments.

The Benjamin Franklin Birthday Celebration is free for members of the Terre Haute Children’s Museum and free with museum admission for non-members. Admission to the museum is $7 for adults and children 2 and older. Admission for children up to 24 months is free.

The Terre Haute Children’s Museum is at the corner of Eighth Street and Wabash Avenue in downtown Terre Haute. For more information about the museum, visit thchildrensmuseum.com, email info@terrehautechildrensmuseum.com, or call (812) 235-5548.

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