Ben Franklin Papers to display at Encore Series Performance
“Ben Franklin Papers,” an exhibit featuring two original handwritten letters by Benjamin Franklin, will be on display from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 29 in the lobby area of Sheridan Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus. The exhibit will be on display during both nights of the Encore Series production of Stomp.
The exhibit will also feature two copies of Franklin’s newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette.
The letters and papers were donated to Forsyth Library by FHSU alumnus, Dr. Cecil B. Currey. The letters have an appraised value of $25,000 and $35,000, respectively.
The exhibit was recently on display at FHSU’s Gross Memorial Coliseum for nearly 600 Ellis County fifth- and- eighth grade students in conjunction with their current revolutionary history unit. The event was hosted by the Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) with assistance from the College of Education and Technology, the Office of the Provost, the American Democracy Project (ADP), the Department of History, Forsyth Library and several other entities across the campus. The program consisted of interactive stations and supplemental activities created by FHSU’s teacher education students.
“Displaying the documents during the Encore performance will give patrons a convenient opportunity to view the papers while helping to spread awareness about our exhibit,” said Mark Colwell, assistant director of the American Democracy Project.
FHSU’s teacher education students and volunteers from CCL and Forsyth Library will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the project and materials created for the event.
For more information, contact Colwell, at mecolwell@fhsu.edu or (785) 628-4668.