Where do I meet for the tour?

Check in on the 2nd floor at 300 N Dixie Hwy; the listing includes check-in instructions.

How long is the tour?

The guided experience runs approximately 30 minutes with time for questions at the end.

Is the exhibit accessible?

Yes—location information lists the site as wheelchair accessible.

Bring a light sweater or jacket and a notebook or phone for note-taking; non-flash photography is recommended for labels.

Are there discounts for members?

Members of HSPBC receive a discount—use your seven-digit member number when booking, and contact sposs@pbchistory.org if you need help.

How do I book a tour?

Use the provided reservation/referral link to view dates and secure your spot; tours may be listed at scheduled times on the booking page.

Collector-Led Benjamin Franklin Tour in West Palm Beach

Step into an intimate portrait of one of America’s most inventive minds on the Guided Tour of Benjamin Franklin, Creating an American Icon, a focused 30‑minute walk through an exhibit at 300 N Dixie Hwy in West Palm Beach, Florida. Led by collector and guide Zachary Jacobson, the tour places you close to rare letters, prints, and personal objects that map Franklin’s roles as printer, scientist, diplomat, and founder.

Jacobson’s decades of collecting give these artifacts a curator’s eye and a storyteller’s voice; he draws connections between margin notes on a letter and the broader sweep of late‑18th‑century politics, showing how small objects illuminate big choices. The experience is compact but dense—expect close viewing of display cases, interpretive labels, and anecdotes you won’t find on a self‑guided visit. Check in on the 2nd floor of the building at 300 N Dixie Hwy; the site is wheelchair accessible.

Key features include original printed ephemera and framed portraits that reveal printing techniques and the material culture of the founding era. The exhibit foregrounds printed matter—broadside sheets, pamphlets, and reproductions that reveal Franklin’s hand as printer and propagandist—so bring attention to surfaces and typography as much as to personalities. The space highlights the collector’s approach: objects grouped to show process, experimentation, and exchange.

Practical details matter: the formal tour runs about 30 minutes, with time for questions at the end; wear a light sweater or jacket for the cool gallery air. Members of HSPBC receive a booking discount—if you’re a member, use your seven‑digit number when reserving; contact [email protected] if you don’t have it. Photography policies vary by object—flash is discouraged to protect fragile inks and paper.

Why this tour stands out in West Palm Beach: it’s not a general history tour but a collector‑led encounter that frames Franklin as a maker and communicator. For history lovers, graphic design fans, and curious travelers, it offers close proximity to artifacts rarely assembled together outside major museums. The tour’s brevity makes it an ideal cultural stop between Palm Beach’s waterfront and downtown attractions.

Bring a small notebook or photograph non‑flash images of labels to capture citations and collector references; Jacobson often points to provenance details that reward a second look. Tours are listed on the booking page—use the reservation link to find dates—and the gallery’s compact scale makes this easy to pair with a walk along the nearby waterfront or lunch in downtown West Palm Beach. Arrive 10 minutes early to check in on the second floor and settle into the tour’s rhythm.

About Historical Society of Palm Beach County

Historical Society of Palm Beach County preserves and shares the history of Palm Beach County from its early settlement through modern times. Located in West Palm Beach, the Society operates the Richard & Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum in the historic 1916 courthouse, hosting permanent and rotating exhibits that chronicle local culture, tourism, and community life. The Society offers a range of public programs and experiences, including guided and self-guided museum visits, educational school group tours, interactive mock trials, seasonal events, and lecture series.

Educational school group tours provide focused 90-minute experiences tailored to different grade levels, with options to explore the 1916 courthouse or participate in an interactive mock trial for older students. Museum general admission includes access to the 'Places' exhibit and self-guided exploration of artifacts and stories from across the county. Specialized experiences highlight unique local narratives: 'Wish You Were Here: Tourism in the Palm Beaches' examines the evolution of regional tourism; 'Sunshine Cinema: Florida in Film' explores the state’s filmmaking history; and community events such as Haunting History, Cocktails in Paradise, and Women’s History Initiative present thematic programming for different audiences.

The Society supports public engagement through history talks and private experiences hosted in historic spaces. As a long-established cultural organization based in West Palm Beach, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County collaborates with local experts, docents, and community partners to offer educational, immersive, and accessible history programming for residents and visitors alike. Admission options and event schedules are available on the website.

Collector-Led Benjamin Franklin Tour in West Palm Beach

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