“Ben on the Bench” Comes to Franklin
On January 17, 2026, Franklin came together in a heartfelt tribute to the city’s namesake with the official unveiling of the “Ben on the Bench” statue — a beautiful new bronze sculpture honoring Benjamin Franklin on what would have been his 320th birthday.
Set outside the Williamson County Archives and Museum in downtown Franklin, the statue — crafted by renowned sculptor George Lundeen — depicts Franklin seated on a bench, inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and connect with the spirit of one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. The statue depicts Benjamin Franklin holding the Preamble to the Constitution—the very document he helped write, as the nation begins commemorating America250.
The project was made possible through the vision of the “Ben on the Bench” – Buffie Baril, Lovely Franklin Founder, Lisa Kenney; Old Glory Chapter, NSDAR Historian and Honorary Regent; and Cheryl Maler, Old Glory Chapter, NSDAR Regent, along with Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, and donor Pamela Lewis, Founder of PLA Media, and former Franklin Alderman.
Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution
The morning began with stirring performances by the Middle Tennessee Fife and Drum Corps and a ceremonial musket salute by the Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, setting a patriotic tone that echoed through the square.
It was a crisp but beautifully sunny winter day, and more than 400 people gathered to witness this special moment in Franklin’s history. Seeing such an incredible turnout and so much heartfelt community support made the unveiling of “Ben on the Bench” even more meaningful.
The unveiling ceremony for “Ben on the Bench” featured a meaningful lineup of community leaders and project champions who helped bring the vision to life. The program opened with Cheryl Maler, Regent of the Old Glory Chapter, NSDAR, followed by remarks from Bradley Boshers, Director of the Williamson County Archives & Museum.
We were honored to have Carol Reynolds Teeters, Tennessee Society DAR Regent, offer remarks about Benjamin Franklin. Lovely Franklin founder Buffie Baril and Old Glory Chapter, NSDAR, Honorary Regent and Historian Lisa Kenney shared reflections on the history and heart behind the project.
Special proclamations were presented by Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore and Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson. The proclamation formally declared January 17 as Benjamin Franklin Day in the City of Franklin and Williamson County, honoring Franklin’s birth, his lasting contributions as a Founding Father, and the city’s namesake connection to his legacy.
The program concluded with remarks from Pamela Lewis, Founder & CEO of PLA Media, whose generosity and leadership helped make the statue a reality.
The ceremony built to an unforgettable moment as the large presentation box, topped with a bright red bow, was lifted away to reveal “Ben on the Bench” for the very first time. The crowd erupted in applause as Benjamin Franklin’s welcoming bronze figure was unveiled, seated and ready to greet visitors in the heart of downtown Franklin — a surprise reveal that made the historic day feel even more magical and memorable.
A living-history interpreter portraying Benjamin Franklin was on hand for photos and conversations, bringing history vividly to life for guests of all ages. Children were adorably dressed in patriotic costumes.
Following the statue unveiling, the celebration continued with a community birthday — complete with a military cake-cutting and cake for all in attendance.
In addition, the NSDAR historical marker was dedicated, and the Archives and Museum opened a special Gallery Wall exhibit featuring portraits of Franklin and Dr. Hugh Williamson alongside reproductions of the Charters of Freedom.
It was a thrill to have Daniel Bache, Ben Franklin’s distant grandson through Ben’s daughter Sarah (Sally) Bache, attend the event with his wife, Lisa from Louisville, Kentucky.
The gallery wall exhibit presented by Old Glory Chapter, NSDAR, at the Williamson County Archives and Museum also featured a reproduction of Howard Chandler Christy’s Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States.
The painting includes both Benjamin Franklin (representing Pennsylvania) and Dr. Hugh Williamson (representing North Carolina) among the delegates in this historic scene, visually linking Franklin’s legacy with Williamson’s significant contributions — especially meaningful here in Franklin, Tennessee, a community proudly named for Benjamin Franklin and a county named after Dr. Williamson.
The Dream That Sparked It All
The idea for a Benjamin Franklin statue began with a simple conversation in September 2024 during a Franklin Walking Tour.
During the tour, Lovely Franklin founder Buffie Baril was talking with Lisa Kenney, then Regent of the Old Glory Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), when the topic arose: Why doesn’t Franklin have a statue of Benjamin Franklin?
So many locals, Buffie shared, didn’t even realize the town was named after him, and this could be a way to tell both the story of the city of Franklin and the history of America.
Lisa replied, “That would be so amazing to get it up by July 4, 2026.”
America250, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was already on the horizon.
Soon after, Cheryl Maler, current Regent of the Old Glory Chapter, joined the conversation and offered her support. What began as a dream quickly became a mission.
In March 2025, Lovely Franklin asked its followers a simple question: Would you support a Benjamin Franklin statue for Franklin? The answer was a resounding yes.
Finding the Right Home—and the Right Partners
A presentation was put together by the committee who initially considered the Five Points Post Office, an ideal symbolic location given Franklin’s role as America’s first Postmaster General. Julie Brown, Co-Owner of the Five Points Post Office, immediately offered her support.
Both Ken Moore, Mayor of Franklin, and Rogers Anderson supported the idea. Mayor Anderson then proposed an extraordinary alternative: placing the statue at the Williamson County Archives and Museum. Ann Peterson, Franklin Alderman at Large and Old Glory Chapter, NSDAR member, was also an early supporter of the project.
Archives Director Bradley Boshers embraced the vision. The location, near Five Points, overlooking downtown, and adjacent to the Post Office, was perfect. This site has long served the community as a place of public education, first as Franklin Elementary School, later as the county library, and today as the Williamson County Archives and Museum.
Now came the biggest challenge: funding and finding the right sculptor.
An Angel Donor and a Providential Yes
In May 2025, the project received an unexpected and extraordinary gift. Pamela Lewis, founder of PLA Media, former Franklin alderman, and longtime steward of the historic Harrison House, stepped forward and offered to fully fund the statue project because she too wanted this for the city.
She asked that the process be streamlined and that the sculptor already have casted a Benjamin Franklin statue, and that Ben be seated on a bench so children and adults could sit with him.
Buffie researched and found George Lundeen, creator of the magnificent bronze sculpture “Ben on the Bench” located at the University of Pennsylvania, the very institution Benjamin Franklin helped establish. In what felt like divine timing, Lundeen confirmed he could have his “Ben on the Bench” for Franklin, Tennessee ready in time for the 2026 celebration.
Why Benjamin Franklin Matters to Franklin
Franklin was founded on October 26, 1799 by Abram Maury, a Virginia native, surveyor, planter, and future Tennessee state senator. Maury purchased 640 acres from Revolutionary War Major Anthony Sharp, land originally part of a larger military grant awarded for service in the American Revolution.
Maury initially planned to name the town Marthasville after his wife, Martha. But according to local tradition, and Martha’s own modesty, she convinced him otherwise. Instead, Maury chose to name the town after Benjamin Franklin, a man admired across the young nation for his intellect, diplomacy, and leadership.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin is the only statesman who signed all four documents: the Declaration of Independence (1776), Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), Treaty of Paris (1783), and the U.S. Constitution (1787). In addition, he was the first American diplomat to France. Ben Franklin started his career as a printer and newspaper publisher. His most popular publication was Poor Richard’s Almanack. Ben was a scientist, inventor, politician, philanthropist, founder of the first library and the University of Pennsylvania and the first Postmaster General.
Among his best-known innovations are the lightning rod, which protected buildings from fire; bifocal glasses, designed so he could read and see at a distance without changing lenses; the Franklin stove, which made homes warmer while using less fuel; and the glass armonica, a musical instrument admired by composers across Europe. Ben rarely patented his ideas, believing inventions should be shared freely for the common good, an outlook that perfectly embodies the spirit of American ingenuity and his humility.
The city of Franklin’s original plan by Maury was sixteen square blocks centered around a two-acre public square, which remains the heart of downtown today. Maury donated land for streets, the public square, and a church, filing the official plat in 1800. Franklin was established the same day as Williamson County and selected as its county seat.
Abram and Martha Maury are buried today at Founders Pointe, forever tied to the town they envisioned. Our backstory on Abram Maury by Katie Shands here.
More Than a Civil War Town
Many people associate Franklin almost exclusively with the Battle of Franklin in 1864. While that chapter is significant, it came 65 years after Franklin’s founding.
Franklin and Williamson County were born of the Revolutionary era. Williamson County is named for Dr. Hugh Williamson, a physician, scholar, and signer of the U.S. Constitution from North Carolina, and a close friend of Benjamin Franklin.
With Gratitude to Our Williamson County Community
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to the incredible Williamson County community for showing up in such a big way to celebrate the unveiling of “Ben on the Bench” .
Your presence, enthusiasm, and shared love of history made this milestone moment even more meaningful. Seeing neighbors, families, historians, leaders, and visitors gathered together in downtown Franklin was a beautiful reminder that preserving our heritage and celebrating our story is something we truly do best — together.
Here’s to keeping the legacy of Benjamin Franklin alive in our community — a legacy of curiosity, service, innovation, and civic pride.
Enjoy the video below from the unveiling of “Ben on the Bench” :
Many thanks to Misty Westebbe Photography, Lauren Combs, Kimberly Clutsam, Old Glory Chapter, NSDAR, Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter, TNSSAR, and the City of Franklin for the wonderful photos.
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