John Collins's 'Join, or Die' Granite Sculpture to Debut on Independence Mall This Fall

A monumental granite sculpture inspired by Benjamin Franklin's 1754 political cartoon 'Join, or Die' is being installed on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. Artist John Collins is creating a 46-foot-long, three-dimensional interpretation of the iconic snake divided into eight segments, which will be placed on the Liberty Bell Center Block, part of Independence National Historical Park. The interactive artwork is slated for unveiling this fall, near where a 900-pound time capsule was recently buried for America's 250th birthday. Collins, who views the cartoon as the first political cartoon in the country, aims to add a playful element to the mall. The project, costing roughly $3.9 million, is largely funded by the Independence Historical Trust through contributions from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, private foundations, legacy groups, and individual donors, with $600,000 still needed for installation. Jonathan Burton, the trust's development director, describes the sculpture as a new civic destination that will strengthen Philadelphia's reputation for experiencing history. Franklin published the cartoon in his Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9, 1754, during the French and Indian War, to urge colonial unity. The image, which resurfaced during the Stamp Act protests and the American Revolution, has been called one of the most famous cartoons in history. Collins's work will reinterpret this enduring symbol for contemporary audiences.