B. Free Franklin Post Office - Philadelphia, PA - 19106
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 39° 57.011 W 075° 08.793
18S E 487481 N 4422238
The B. Free Franklin Post Office is located at 316 Market Street in Philadelphia.
Waymark Code: WMFFZP
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 10/14/2012
Views: 12
In 1737, Benjamin Franklin began his postal career as postmaster of Philadelphia. In 1753 he had been promoted as a Deputy Postmaster of North America. He served as Postmaster during the colonial era until 1774. On July 26, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin the first Postmaster General of the United States.
While he lived in Philadelphia his home was located on Market St. in an area now known as Franklin Court which is part of the Independence National Historical Park. July 26, 1975, the United States Postal Service celebrated its 200th anniversary with the opening of the B. Free Franklin Post Office located at the north end of Franklin Court.
The post office, near where his house once stood, commemorating Franklin's 1775 appointment as first Postmaster General is named after his famous signature. As Postmaster General, Franklin had free mailing privileges. To mail an item for free he signed his mail "B. Free Franklin". A replica of this signature is located above the main entrance. A museum on the second floor features displays of postal history and postal memorabilia.
The B. Free Franklin Post Office is the only Colonial-themed post office operated by the United States Postal Service and it is the only active post office in the United States that does not fly the American flag, because there was not yet an official flag when Benjamin Franklin was Postmaster General.
316 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 592-9610
B Free Franklin Post Office Hours
Mon 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tue 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wed 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thu 9:00am - 5:00pm
Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
Type of structure:: Part of a row house block.
re-enter Zip Code here:: 19106
Current Status:: Still in Use
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