Years from now, Philadelphia historic area visitors still will be able to enjoy the benefits of one parting gesture from the Bush administration - even if few may realize it.
In former President George W. Bush's final full week in office, federal officials came up with a crucial $6 million grant to complete funding for the rescue of Philadelphia's bicentennial-era museum in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
With an additional $12 million from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Rendell administration, and other private donors, the long-delayed upgrade of the Franklin Court museum can move ahead.
That means more than just patching leaks that let rainwater flood into the Old City attraction - woes that trigger the periodic closure of the museum. More important, the project will transform the unique underground museum once again into a must-see destination with the latest in exhibit technology, re-created rooms from Franklin's house, a gift shop, and a cafe.
Dirk Kempthorne and Mary A. Bomar closed out their tenure leading the U.S. Interior Department and National Park Service, respectively, by approving what amounts to a sure thing among federal bailouts these days.
Taxpayers' contributions will leverage other funding for the project by a ratio of 2-to-1. The Franklin museum also represents another potential jewel among visitor attractions in and around Independence Mall, where a multimillion-dollar makeover in recent years transformed the gateway to the city's historic area.
Along with the planned memorial to the nation's first White House, where George Washington quartered slaves as president, the Franklin museum will help visitors understand the nation's struggle over its founding principles.
Just as there was little time left for the Bush administration to act on Franklin Court, the renovation itself was running out of time. Without action on the federal match, there was a genuine risk that private funds earmarked for the effort could have been shifted to other worthy projects.
It's good to see that Franklin's memory will continue to be honored by the nation and his city.
