Member Events and Updates

For reservations or more information, please call the Membership Office at 215.448.1200, 9:00AM-5:00PM daily.

Just for Members

Member Sundays

When: 11:30AM, 12:45PM, and 2:00PM unless otherwise noted, on the dates listed below.
Cost: $5 per Member. Free 4-hour parking* sticker with advance registration.

Advance reservations required. Space is limited - register early!

May 20, 2012 - The Science of Art: Exploring Paper and Ink
The Dead Sea Scrolls were written over 2000 years ago yet they remain in amazingly good shape. Learn about the science behind the types of papers and inks used by the ancient scroll authors and try your hand at making your own "scroll" to take home.

June 24, 2012 - Kitchen Science
Explore the science that surrounds us everyday-the science of food! This hands-on workshop tests and tastes your way through kitchen chemistry and ends with a special liquid nitrogen ice cream treat.
PLUS! Preschool Session: Play with your food! Come mix, stir, and mash with us as we discover how to combine ingredients to make something yummy. Preschool science at 11:30AM only.

*Parking is first come, first served in The Franklin Institute's parking garage.


Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times

Special Offer

Visit by July and return to see 10 additional scrolls at 50% off already-reduced Member pricing! Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times will feature a total of 20 Scrolls, including 4 never-before-seen. The extreme fragility of the Scrolls limits the amount of time they can be on display, exposed to light before incurring further damage. In order to safeguard and preserve the Scrolls for future generations, the 10 Scrolls that go on display May 12 will be replaced with 10 different Scrolls in July.
See all 20 Scrolls and Save! Mention Code: MEMSCROLL2 to receive this additional discount!

Regular Member Pricing

 

Return Visit (Aug-Oct) Member Pricing

$13.50/Adult Member

 

$6.75/Adult Member

$11.50/Child Member

 

$5.75/Child Member

Must have a reservation between May-July in order to receive additional 50% savings on a return visit August-October.


Lecture Series: Opening Weekend Lectures

Jerusalem in the First Temple Period, City of God, City of Kings
When: Sunday, May 13 - 3:00PM-4:00PM
Cost: FREE for Members, Advance Registration Requested - Call 215.448.1200.
In the age of kings David and Solomon, Jerusalem rose to its immortal status as a sacred city for three of the world's largest religions. Despite subsequent destruction of the city and deportation of its people, the silent remains of archaeological finds continue to tell the story of ancient Jerusalem loudly and clearly. Join Debora Ben Ami from the Israel Antiquities Authority as we explore the cultural, spiritual, and everyday life of Jerusalem in the 1st millennium BCE through artifacts that symbolize the special bond between a people, their land, and their God.
Speaker: Debora Ben Ami, Israel Antiquities Authority.

Preservation, Conservation, and New Imaging of the Dead Sea Scrolls
When: Sunday, May 13 - 4:30PM-5:30PM
Cost: FREE for Members, Advance Registration Requested - Call 215.448.1200.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a universal cultural heritage.their conservation and preservation have concerned both scholars and conservators ever since their discovery. The duty to safeguard them is ongoing, making use of the most up-to-date conservation methods known worldwide. Join us as Pnina Shor, Curator and Head of Dead Sea Scrolls Projects, discusses the Israel Antiquities Authority's conservation efforts, including a new digitization project that allows non-invasive yet precise monitoring of the scrolls.
Speaker: Dr. Pnina Shor, Israel Antiquities Authority

Other Events

The Franklin Institute is Expanding!

The Franklin Institute broke ground on the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion on Thursday, April 5, 2012. The building addition, scheduled to open in summer 2014, will enable us to engage more students in our effective education programs, secure our standing as the preferred destination for traveling exhibitions, and unveil a brand new cutting-edge core exhibit on the human brain. The lead gift from Mr. and Mrs. Karabots is a remarkable endorsement of the Institute's mission and we are grateful for their extraordinary support. Please look for additional information on this exciting project as we count down to its opening. Thank you for your continued membership and support. CLICK HERE for more information and updates.


Kitchen Science

When: Saturday, June 2 - 1:00PM-3:00PM
Cost: FREE for Members! No reservations required.

This fun- and flavor-filled event will engage visitors in an exploration of food science by taking part in hands-on, taste-bud activating activities that will enhance their understanding of the science behind food and cooking. Activities vary monthly (see below). Programming will take place in the Benjamin Franklin Memorial at TFI.

Sugar Content in Food (seasonal food: strawberries, iced coffee): Saturday, June 2, 2012
Have you ever wondered how much sugar goes into your favorite sweet treats? Compare popular sodas, juices and seasonal foods and learn more about making healthy snack choices.

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream: Saturday, July 7, 2012
Join TFI staff in a super cool demonstration of how liquid nitrogen is used to make fast, delicious ice cream right before your very eyes! Sample this unique creation and then vote for your favorite flavors.


Night Skies in the Observatory

When: Thursday, May 24, 2011 - 7:00PM-10:00PM (Presentation at 8:00PM)
Note Date Change!
Cost: FREE for Members! No reservations required.

The Franklin Institute's Joel N. Bloom Observatory is open for evening public observing on the 2nd Thursday night of every month. On these special nights, The Franklin Institute invites the public to view celestial objects in the sky, like stars, planets, and if conditions are right, a galaxy or two, from five different telescopes. Night Skies includes a Fels Planetarium show and a lecture or presentation (appropriate for all ages) on an astronomical or space science topic. The Observatory is staffed with knowledgeable observers and free star maps are provided. Don't miss out on these "out-of-this-world" evenings!


Schedule subject to change. CLICK HERE for details.


Motherhood the Musical

When: Now Playing!
Cost: Members Save $8!

Franklin Institute Members Save $8 on Motherhood the Musical with the code FRANKLIN!
Society Hill Playhouse
507 South 8th Street, Philadelphia

A baby is just the beginning. Stretch marks are forever.
Celebrated as "engaging, hilarious and touching" by Variety, Motherhood the Musical is a riotous roller coaster ride through the blessings, stresses and exhilarations of being a mom. From feeling like the size of a minivan during pregnancy to actually driving one as a mom, this hilarious and poignant four-woman show will have you laughing, crying and remembering - a must-see for anyone who is, has, or knows a mom!

For tickets, visit www.comcasttix.com or call 215-923-0210 and use the code FRANKLIN.

*Limit 4 tickets per customer. Excludes Saturday and Sunday performances. Discounts do not apply to prior sales and may not be combined. Subject to availability. Some restrictions and additional fees may apply.