Backstory

I was approached by Buffie from Lovely Franklin with a dream to share the story of how the City of Franklin was named after Benjamin Franklin and the County of Williamson after Dr. Hugh Williamson—two close friends who both signed the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Along with asking me to design this gallery wall, Buffie was also on a mission to bring a bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin to a prominent spot outside the museum, facing Five Points in downtown Franklin, Tennessee.

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The project was a huge undertaking, with a tight deadline: everything needed to be completed within five months in time for the unveiling, to coincide with both the kick-off of America 250 and Benjamin Franklin’s 320th birthday. It was an honor working with Lovely Franklin and Old Glory Chapter DAR, Franklin, TN, to make their dream a reality and be part of such a historic event.

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The final wall design features framed archival portraits of Franklin and Dr. Williamson, as well as reproductions of the Charters of Freedom—the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution—along with the iconic painting of the signing of the Constitution. Each piece serves as a tribute to the legacy of these two remarkable men and the history they helped shape.

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It was an incredible day of celebration, and what made it even more special was meeting Daniel Bache, a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin, along with his wife Lisa. Daniel, a great-grandson of Ben Franklin, was there to honor the unveiling, and the resemblance was truly amazing—nine generations down the line.

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Scope of work:

Gallery Wall Layout & Design, Archive Research of Photos and Documents, Signage Design, Framing, Materials and Paper Stock Selection. Overseeing the Printing. Designed Event Invitations and Programs.