Benjamin Franklin's Walking Stick
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- owner
- Washington, George
- user
- Franklin, Benjamin
- Credit Line
- U.S. Department of State
- Physical Description
- gold (head material)
- gold (label material)
- wood (walking stick material)
- Measurements
- overall: 46 1/2 in x 1 3/8 in; 118.11 cm x 3.4925 cm
- See more items in
- Political History: Political History, General History Collection
- National Treasures exhibit
- Government, Politics, and Reform
- Exhibition
- American Stories
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- Description
- A French admirer presented this gold-capped walking stick to Benjamin Franklin while he was serving as ambassador to France. Franklin later bequeathed the cane to his friend and fellow revolutionary George Washington.
- A celebrated writer, inventor, scientist, and advocate for U.S. independence, Franklin rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most famous Americans of the 18th century. Through advice and example, Franklin helped define the American ideal of self-improvement through virtue and hard work.
- Date made
- 1783
- Object Name
- cane
- ID Number
- PL.032011
- catalog number
- 032011
- accession number
- 68016
- Related Publication
- Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
- National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
- Related Web Publication
- http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
