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  • Artist John Collins is installing a large-scale granite interpretation of Benjamin Franklin’s famous divided snake illustration on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall.
  • The project, funded largely by the Independence Historical Trust and various public and private donors, seeks to add a playful, interactive element to the historic site.
  • The original 1754 cartoon was designed to urge colonial unity against French threats and later became a rallying symbol during the American Revolution.

A new permanent installation is taking shape on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, bringing a centuries-old political message into three-dimensional form. Artist John Collins is constructing a forty-six-foot-long granite sculpture based on Benjamin Franklin’s iconic 1754 illustration known as “Join, or Die.” The work is scheduled for unveiling this fall on the Liberty Bell Center Block, situated within the National Park Service-managed Independence National Historical Park. This location places the monument near a recently buried nine-hundred-pound time capsule commemorating the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial.

The sculpture represents a significant shift in how historic sites engage with visitors. Collins described the project as an effort to introduce a playful element that he felt was missing from the mall’s current offerings. By translating a flat woodcut into a large, ground-level structure, the artist aims to create a new civic destination. The design invites both residents and tourists to physically interact with one of America’s most enduring symbols, moving beyond passive observation to active engagement with historical narratives.

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Funding for the approximately $3.9 million project has been secured through a combination of public and private support. The Independence Historical Trust, which serves as the philanthropic partner for the park, raised the majority of the capital. Contributions came from the state of Pennsylvania, the city of Philadelphia, various private foundations, legacy groups, and individual donors. Organizers are currently working to secure the remaining $600,000 required to complete the installation process.

Jonathan Burton, director of development for the trust, emphasized the project’s role in strengthening Philadelphia’s identity. He noted that the monument will help position the city as a place where history is experienced rather than simply preserved. The goal is to inspire new conversations about the values that continue to shape the nation, using Franklin’s early call for unity as a focal point for modern reflection.

The original illustration was published by Franklin in his Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9, 1754. It appeared at the onset of the French and Indian War, a conflict that pitted British colonies against French forces and their Native American allies. The woodcut depicted a snake divided into eight segments, each labeled with the initials of a colony. Beneath the image were the words “JOIN, or DIE,” a stark warning about the dangers of disunity.

Franklin created the cartoon while preparing to attend the Albany Congress, a gathering of colonial leaders aimed at addressing French threats and negotiating treaties with the Iroquois Confederacy. The image accompanied an editorial in which Franklin criticized French violations of treaties and attacks on British traders and settlers. He argued that the confidence of French forces stemmed from the disunited state of the British colonies, which made it difficult to coordinate effective defense measures.

The message resonated widely among colonial newspapers, gaining considerable attention as the Albany Congress approached. Historical analysis suggests Franklin may not have carved the woodcut himself and that the concept was not entirely original. A similar image of a snake in two pieces appeared in a French book in 1685 with the phrase “se rejoindre ou mourir.” Franklin may also have drawn inspiration from drawings of rattlesnakes by English naturalist Mark Catesby.

Despite these precedents, the illustration became one of the most famous political cartoons in history. Its utility extended well beyond the French and Indian War. Colonists revived the image in 1765 to protest the Stamp Act imposed by Great Britain. During the American Revolution, the design served as an effective rallying cry for unity against the British Empire, cementing its place in the visual language of American independence.

The installation marks a modern reinterpretation of this historical artifact. By scaling up the image and rendering it in granite, the project bridges the gap between eighteenth-century political strategy and contemporary public art. The monument stands as a testament to the enduring power of visual symbols in shaping collective identity and civic discourse.

As the final funds are secured and the installation nears completion, the sculpture promises to alter the landscape of Independence Mall. It offers a tangible connection to the early struggles for colonial cohesion, inviting visitors to consider the relevance of unity in their own time. The project reflects a broader trend in historical preservation toward interactive and experiential learning environments.

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  • Smithsonian Magazine↗A Serpentine Sculpture Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's 'Join, or Die' Call for Unity Is Taking Shape—Segment by Segment—in Philadelphia