Underground Franklin Museum: why are the phones silent?
Published by Becky S February 8th, 2005 in tech, philadelphia
An explanation for non-Philadelphians: these phones are part of the Underground Franklin Museum, the city’s trippy tribute to the real Big Ben. Visitors use the phones to call D.H. Lawrence and Thomas Paine and other famous people who wax poetic about Benjamin Franklin and his various deeds.
Alas, the Franklin Exchange is on the fritz. Out of order, the sign says. A technical glitch? Possibly. The service has always been spotty, connecting people to Washington when they dial Jefferson. So awkward.
Or maybe everyone got cell phones and neglected to provide the Park Service with their updated contact information. Or perhaps, as a friend suggests, the historical figures are on strike, and we are witnessing “history’s first time-traveling labor dispute.”
Forget SEPTA. Call Mayor Street, Governor Rendell, and President Bush and demand that phone service be restored to Franklin Court.
P.S. Aside from the phone exchange, the best part of the Underground Museum is the neon tribute to Dr. Franklin. For a limited time only, click on picture below to see my first panoramic neon movie (3.25 MB).
that’s just……bizarre.
True, this museum looks bizarre to the untrained eye. When we were kids, however, we loved the phones (this was before everyone had a phone–back when being allowed to dial was still a novelty).
The neon part speaks for itself.
Well Ms. Techno Savvy–nice video and image. I am chagrined to admit I have yet to go to the museum–I’ve been waiting to have the nieces and nephews who visit reach an appropriate age. It has been lauded by many.
Now, that’s what I call call waiting. Looks like they’re waiting in line to see “Dial M for Murder” or something. . .
pretty cool.
I always thought that would make a cool afterhours spot.
Haha I didn’t even know we had an underground franklin museum!
I gots ta get with the times, yo!
HUm…I don’t remember that the neon signs seem to go on forever…maybe some of the energy should be used on the phone system. To get with the times maybe there should be a way to hook up with the I-Pod ear-phones!
Oops. Error in selecting the drop drown menue. The previous message came from the original …. Pappy! Mrs Moon Pappy’s at work (5 more to go)
Ah. It all makes sense now–I thought it was strange for Mrs. Moon Pappy to make a comment about iPods.
I just keep thinking about the GERMS on those phones. Ickkk…
all guy man keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep offfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff