More than 300 area fifth-grade students will gather on Fort Hays State University’s campus on Monday, Sept. 23, for an educational day featuring the life and times of one of America’s prominent Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin. The campus American Democracy Project (ADP) sponsors the event.

The students will hear from Ben Franklin himself, through an impersonation by Fred Krebs, Johnson County Community College professor of history.

Two original letters written by Ben Franklin and copies of Franklin’s newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette, are the featured attractions. In addition, students can have a snack at the “Boston Tea Party.”

“The goal of this event is to allow as many people as possible to see Ben Franklin’s papers, starting with the young minds of the Hays community,” said Anne Drees, Hays senior and student coordinator of the ADP. “This event is a great way to engage children in activities that reflect the life of Ben Franklin.”