After reviewing my FI stuff on here, not only did I find I goofed a bit on the tags and categories, but I found I didn’t even scan/post all of my FI stuff yet! That said, with my new-found time, let’s get to correcting that!
Show below is a postcard, postmarked in 1936 (when the current Franklin Institute building opened), showing a lighthouse light (originally from Fire Island Lighthouse in NY), that was taken out of service in 1933, and placed on display in the Franklin Institute likely from when the building opened, to around 2000, when the actual light was taken down and placed in storage.
Since I remember seeing this light, I can say this used to be on the first floor, near the entrance where the Escape Rooms currently are. I believe they may have the old telescope there now.
In 2007, the light was sent back to the now-restored Fire Island Lighthouse, and has since been put on display there in the “Lens Building”, now located next to the now-restored-and-functional lighthouse.
Here’s a page about the movement of the light from FI back to Fire Island: https://www.nps.gov/fiis/learn/management/fresnel-lens-return.htm
I especially love it when these cards are actually used and postmarked; although I find often that most are just “hellos” and “well wishes”. Interestingly the card is postmarked in 1936, when I believe the FI first opened its current building at 20th street and the Parkway, so this card is definitely early!The back of the card reads:
Dear Folks, Down with mother and dad – we are having a lovely time – Best Regards from us all – as ever. Nils, Louis, Warner, Judith