Free sculpture unveiling by artist Daniel Lipschutz marking the first U.S. Weather Bureau, which opened in Philadelphia in 1870, as part of '52 Weeks of Firsts'.
The Franklin Institute is hosting a sculpture unveiling on Saturday, December 5, from 11 AM to 1 PM. The piece is by Daniel Lipschutz, and it marks the opening of the first U.S. Weather Bureau office, which started here in Philadelphia in 1870. Back then it was part of the Signal Service, and it laid the groundwork for modern meteorology.
The unveiling is part of 52 Weeks of Firsts, a yearlong celebration produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee to mark the nation's 250th birthday. It's a partnership of 22 museums and cultural institutions, including the Betsy Ross House, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the Old City District. Every Saturday, a new Firstival kicks off with a ceremony led by Once Upon a Nation historical experts, whose storytelling is recorded and posted online.
There's more to the series than just the weekly events. The city has commissioned 52 '#1' sculptures from local artists through Mural Arts Philadelphia, and they're being placed around the city to serve as landmarks for a companion photo quest. Two legacy projects are running alongside: commemorative tree plantings by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and a time capsule that all 52 partners are contributing to. The whole thing is funded by the 2026 Funder Collaborative, the City of Philadelphia, and the William Penn Foundation.
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If you want to catch this one, it's at The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, on Saturday, December 5, from 11 AM to 1 PM. Admission is free.
