Florida unveils statue of Benjamin Franklin as part of America’s 250th celebration

APALACHICOLA, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - It’s been 238 years since the U.S. Constitution was signed, and Florida marked the milestone with a new monument honoring one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

A statue of Benjamin Franklin now stands outside the courthouse in Franklin County, becoming the second monument in Florida dedicated to a Founding Father. Earlier this summer, a statue of Thomas Jefferson was unveiled in Monticello. In total, six statues are planned for installation over the next year. There’s an additional borrowed monument of George Washington already on display at the Florida State Capitol.

Governor Ron DeSantis said the tributes are about more than stone and bronze.

“We were really lucky to have such a great constellation of leaders found this country,” DeSantis said. “They studied history, they understood human nature, and they were swimming against the tide of human history by trying to establish a republican form of government.”

Franklin played a unique role in America’s founding. He was the only person to sign four key documents that shaped the nation, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

DeSantis pointed to Franklin’s pragmatism during the Constitutional Convention.

“He said, ‘I consent to this Constitution because we can do no better, and I’m not certain it’s not the best that can be done under the circumstances.’ So it really was a unique moment,” DeSantis said.

The unveiling comes as Florida and the rest of the country gear up for the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026. Visit Florida CEO Bryan Griffin said the state is preparing to play a major role in the celebration.

“We are all in,” Griffin said. “We are going to have celebrations and events at historical sites all over this state.”

While Florida wasn’t one of the original 13 colonies, Griffin said the state’s patriotism is clear.

“It’s important because this is a state that celebrates and loves this country. We want to help reflect those values,” Griffin said.

Four more statues honoring the Founding Fathers are expected to be unveiled across the state in the next year.