Philadelphia's Franklin Institute to Bid Farewell to Beloved Air Show Exhibit
The Franklin Institute is set to close its long-running air show exhibit, "Franklin Air Show," after a 21-year run. The permanent exhibit, which had been a second-floor staple since 2003, will shut down on January 5, marking the end of an era for young visitors who fondly remembered climbing into vintage aircraft and experiencing liftoff in a simulated environment.
The Wright brothers' iconic Model B flyer from 1911 will be relocated to a new area within the museum, but the fate of the remaining exhibits remains uncertain. The Franklin Institute is undergoing a significant reorganization, aimed at consolidating its collection into six core exhibits. The "Wondrous Space" exhibit, an interactive ode to space exploration launched in 2023, was one of the first to debut as part of this transformation.
Although the theme of the upcoming exhibit replacing the air show has not been officially announced, the Franklin Institute hinted that it would be a more pleasant experience on social media. With a reimagined layout expected to take shape, it's unclear what visitors can expect from this new installment – but one thing is certain: the museum will be undergoing significant changes.
As the "Franklin Air Show" closes its doors for good, fans of the exhibit may wonder what's next for this beloved destination. The Franklin Institute has announced plans to introduce a revamped collection, with six core exhibits scheduled for implementation. With the air show exhibit now officially retired, it remains to be seen how this space will be repurposed in the months and years ahead.
The Franklin Institute is set to close its long-running air show exhibit, "Franklin Air Show," after a 21-year run. The permanent exhibit, which had been a second-floor staple since 2003, will shut down on January 5, marking the end of an era for young visitors who fondly remembered climbing into vintage aircraft and experiencing liftoff in a simulated environment.
The Wright brothers' iconic Model B flyer from 1911 will be relocated to a new area within the museum, but the fate of the remaining exhibits remains uncertain. The Franklin Institute is undergoing a significant reorganization, aimed at consolidating its collection into six core exhibits. The "Wondrous Space" exhibit, an interactive ode to space exploration launched in 2023, was one of the first to debut as part of this transformation.
Although the theme of the upcoming exhibit replacing the air show has not been officially announced, the Franklin Institute hinted that it would be a more pleasant experience on social media. With a reimagined layout expected to take shape, it's unclear what visitors can expect from this new installment – but one thing is certain: the museum will be undergoing significant changes.
As the "Franklin Air Show" closes its doors for good, fans of the exhibit may wonder what's next for this beloved destination. The Franklin Institute has announced plans to introduce a revamped collection, with six core exhibits scheduled for implementation. With the air show exhibit now officially retired, it remains to be seen how this space will be repurposed in the months and years ahead.
now theyre just gonna leave it empty space? that dont make sense 
the franklin institute was so much fun when i was a kid i loved playing with the planes and rockets 
did they say what's gonna replace it? hopefully something as cool 
btw has anyone seen that new movie with dwayne johnson?
. It's been a staple at the museum for 21 years and I've had so many fun times there as a kid 
. I mean, who doesn't love pretending to fly in a vintage aircraft or learning about the Wright brothers? 
, and it sounds like they're trying to modernize and make the museum more... "pleasant" 
(whatever that means). Six core exhibits coming up, huh? 
.
. It was always so much fun as a kid, running around that exhibit like I was on top of the world! They're replacing it with some new space thingy, which sounds cool, but it just won't be the same. Those old planes were part of what made the museum feel so unique 
. Now they're getting rid of it to make room for some new stuff? It feels like we're losing something special 
. I remember when my own kids were young, we used to love climbing inside those old planes and feeling like real pilots 
.
They're not giving us many details about the new theme, so I'm keeping my expectations low... Not sure how I feel about losing that iconic air show experience - hoping they'll find a way to replicate the magic somewhere else in the museum. 
I'm not sure what's up with this decision... the Franklin Air Show was such a fun spot for kids (and let's be real, adults too 
.
... I mean, who needs old planes when you can learn about space right? It's not like people were actually nostalgic for those vintage aircraft or anything 
. The Franklin Institute is clearly just trying to make room for the new and "cool" stuff. Like, what even is this "Wondrous Space" exhibit that everyone's been raving about? A fancy new layout with better Instagrammable spots? Sounds like a real thrill-ride to me 
. Guess it's time to bid adieu to those old planes and hello to whatever boring sciency stuff they've got planned 
. I mean, who decides that a 21-year-old air show exhibit is too old? 
), and now it's just gonna get replaced with... what? A more "pleasant experience"? 
. Can't they just leave some things alone? 