William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Benjamin Franklin

1706 - 1790

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, July 5, 2008

1. Benjamin Franklin Marker

Inscription. The Class of 1930 at its 50th reunion honors Benjamin Franklin founder of the University of Pennsylvania which began at this site in 1749 and which in 1779 became the first university in this nation. We recognize the growth of our beloved institution from small beginning to world renown. May our fellow men note our affection for the university and our respect for its architect.

Erected 1980 by University of Pennsylvania Class of 1930.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1749.

Location. 39° 57.137′ N, 75° 8.815′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is at the intersection of North 4th Street and Arch Street, on the right when traveling south on North 4th Street. Marker is on the side wall of the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 99 N 4th St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American

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Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Philadelphia Conference (within shouting distance of this marker); Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); About the Meeting House / A Master Builder / Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); You're Standing on a Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); What Happened to the Headstones? (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Keys To Community (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . Benjamin Franklin at FindAGrave.com.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

2. Benjamin Franklin Marker

(Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

3. Benjamin Franklin Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,472 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on May 13, 2025, by Jane Quinn of Burholme, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.