Christ Church Burial Ground - Philadelphia, PA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

In 1719, Christ Church purchased two acres of land on the outskirts of town at the corner of 5th and Arch Streets. The burial ground became the final resting place for over 4000 members of Christ Church including five signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Hewes, Francis Hopkinson, George Ross, and Dr. Benjamin Rush. Also buried on these historic and sacred grounds are many of our nations early founders and leaders, prominent lawyers, medical pioneers, military heroes, victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic, and members of the Church from the colonial era up into the last decade.

When Benjamin Franklin died in 1790, he was buried in his family plot in the north west corner of the burial ground along with his wife Deborah and their two children Francis and Sarah. In 1858, Franklin's descendants requested that an opening be placed in the brick wall so the public could see Franklin's grave day or night, and a metal fence was installed. After the opening in the wall it was much easier for Franklin's many fans to show their respect and remembrance of him by tossing a penny onto his grave. "A penny saved is a penny earned."

- From the Christ Church website.

Street address: 5th and Arch Sts. Philadelphia, PA USA County / Borough / Parish: Philadelphia County Year listed: 1971 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Person, Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1700-1749, 1750-1799, 1800-1824, 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899 Historic function: Funerary, Recreation And Culture Current function: Funerary, Recreation And Culture Hours of operation: From: 10:00 AM To: 4:00 PM Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Privately owned?: Not Listed Season start / Season finish: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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