The outdoor statue of Benjamin Franklin in Washington, D.C., is located near the intersection of 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, in front of the Old Post Office.

The statue was a gift from Stilson Hutchins, founder of The Washington Post, who wanted to display his and the newspaper's stature in the city.

The site chosen, in front of the Old Post Office, was because Franklin, in addition to being a statesman, diplomat, and a Founding Father, served as the country's first Postmaster General.

The statue is also a contributing property to the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site and the L'Enfant Plan, both listed on the NRHP.

The statue of Benjamin Franklin is located in front of the Old Post Office at the intersection of 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.

It was originally sited two blocks east across the street from The Washington Post offices but was moved to its present location in 1980, based on the design plan of the city's Pennsylvania Development Corporation.

In addition to the platform, she designed a multicolor granite and brick pavement surrounding the statue that was meant to recall the Old Post Office interior.

Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers and a signer of its Declaration of Independence, was a well-known 18th-century intellectual, scientist, statesman, author, and diplomat.

[8] Around 100 years after Franklin's birth, Stilson Hutchins, founder of The Washington Post, aimed to make the surrounding area of his newspaper's building a prime example of his contributions and stature to the city.

[10][11][12] By the time the statue was finally installed, Hutchins had retired and dedicated the piece to Washington, D.C., as a symbol of good will from U.S. newspaper publishers.

[12][13] In an article covering the event, The Post wrote "[t]he statue was uncovered without ostentation or parade, Mr. Hutchins having declined a great many suggestions to make what he styles a 'fuss' over it.

Several years later the local government created a triangular plaza where the statue is located in order for traffic to run more smoothly.