Philadelphia — Franklin's Hidden Cipher

Your quest for Franklin's Hidden Cipher begins at Franklin Court, 313 Market St, Philadelphia, in the historic Old City district. This site, Benjamin Franklin's home from 1763 to 1790, witnessed inventions like the lightning rod. Although the original house was demolished in 1812, archaeological remains excavated in 1976 and Robert Venturi's steel shells symbolize the vanished buildings. Here, the first puzzles confront you with Franklin's ingenuity, preparing you for the complexity of his legacy and the rich heritage of Philadelphia, designated a National Historic Landmark.

400 meters away, at 5th and Arch Streets, you reach Christ Church Burial Ground. Founded in 1695, this cemetery is home to Benjamin Franklin's tomb, interred in 1790 alongside his wife Deborah, who died in 1774. His 11-foot-tall pyramidal gravestone, inscribed with his self-penned epitaph, is a major clue for your investigation. This 2.5-acre National Historic Site, with over 1400 18th-century graves, plunges you into the heart of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania's history, allowing you to reflect on the legacy of the great men of the American Revolution.

Your journey then leads you to the Library Company of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731. This institution was the first public lending library in the United States. Franklin, as a founding member and donor, laid the groundwork for the dissemination of knowledge in the colony. Although its current building, completed in 1796, is located at 1314 Locust Street, the spirit of this premier cultural institution of Philadelphia is palpable, and its collections of over 500,000 rare volumes, including documents from the American Revolution, are essential to understanding the ideas that shaped the nation.

Continuing your exploration of Philadelphia's heritage, you arrive at the American Philosophical Society, 104 S 5th St, founded by Franklin in 1743. It was the first learned society in the United States, where Franklin served as president from 1769 to 1790. Philosophical Hall, built in 1789, housed his personal library and was a hub of intellectual innovation. Not far, Independence Hall, 300m from Franklin Court, completed in 1753 and formerly the Pennsylvania State House, was the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Franklin actively participated, shaping the country's future. This site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and at the heart of the Independence National Historical Park.

Finally, your investigation takes you to Old City Hall, at 5th and Chestnut Streets, built between 1790 and 1791. This building, the first seat of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1790 to 1800, saw John Jay sworn in as the first Chief Justice in 1789. Benjamin Franklin was tried there for a minor debt in 1786, a detail revealing the complexity of his life even after his role as a Founding Father. By walking these 1.5 km through Philadelphia's heritage, you will have not only deciphered the code but also absorbed the essence of this city, the 'City of Brotherly Love,' and its central role in the founding of the United States. This interactive tour of Philadelphia, rich in Pennsylvania's historical sites, is a deep immersion into American history.