Wind topples Ben Franklin statue on Boston’s Freedom Trail

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2016/05/17/wind-topples-ben-franklin-statue-on-bostons-freedom-trail/

BOSTON — When Ben Franklin famously flew a kite in a lightning storm, he made history, but a wind storm over the weekend proved too much.

The Boston Globe reports an 1856 bronze statue of Franklin positioned along the city’s Freedom Trail toppled over after a particularly blustery Sunday.

A city spokeswoman says high winds pushed a nearby tent into the statue, causing it to fall off its pedestal.

She says the Boston Arts Commission is working with a professional curator on the repair plan.

Crews were seen placing the statue into what looked like a body bag on Monday.

The Freedom Trail Foundation website says the statue marks the location of the original Boston Latin School, where Franklin was a student. It’s the oldest public school in the nation.