My Father as a Founding Father
By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager
My dad Mitch is a Benjamin Franklin nerd.
He named his only child Benjamin (that’s me). He has multiple shelves filled with Franklin paraphernalia at home. His recent wedding was held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where a decade ago he was the first person in line for the venue’s tercentennial Franklin exhibit. He made me go to that same exhibit when we traveled to St. Louis when we were on vacation. He regularly stumped National Park Rangers with Franklin trivia at Independence Hall.
That’s why it’s a dream come true for him to portray Benjamin Franklin at our FREE Independence Day Celebration presented by Embassy Bank on July 2-4. Plus, it puts the former Bethlehem Steel employee back to work on campus for the first time in over 30 years.
In the following interview, I finally got to the bottom of my father’s Founding Father obsession while previewing this weekend’s incredible event at SteelStacks.
I have one important question before we get started: do I make you proud?
(Laughs) Um. (Worryingly Long Pause) Yes, you make me very proud.
You’re clearly a huge Ben Franklin fanboy. You named me after him for crying out loud. What’s your fascination with that Founding Father more than the others?
My fascination is that based on my readings and studies I think he is the coolest cat of the era of the formation of the country. I don’t think there is anyone more responsible for the founding of our country and the success of the “great experiment” more than Franklin. I am utterly fascinated with how well-rounded he was and all the different avenues in which he succeeded.
Did you know that of all of the inventions he made, he never took out a patent because he wanted them to be available for all of mankind to use? And, most importantly, there is absolutely no way America could have beaten the British if he didn’t get the agreement with France to send us Naval assistance. His negotiating skills helped us win the Revolutionary War.
What kind of persona do you plan on taking for the role during the Independence Day Celebration presented by Embassy Bank?
I plan on taking a jovial and likeable educator role. I look forward to teaching the folks and kids at ArtsQuest about Franklin’s fascinating accomplishments.
What is your background in studying Franklin?
I am self-read and self-tought. I say I have a fascination for American history, and particularly I have read more than the average person about the history of Colonial American and the individual Founding Fathers. The advent of DVDs has helped that because you can watch them over and over again.
You’ve had a longtime dream to become a Ben Franklin impersonator? What’s it like to have that dream come true?
I am happy. I am excited. I am especially thrilled that I can share this with my son at his place of employment and support ArtsQuest’s mission….and it’s a perfect excuse to put on tights.
Mitch Youngerman with Franklin impersonator Ralph Archbold in 2005
You used to actually work for Bethlehem Steel. What was your job? What’s it like to be back on the campus in a completely different way 30 years later?
I worked for Bethlehem Steel for 3 years from 1981-1984. I was an accounting department looper at Martin Tower. So that was the training program. Then I was appointed as a staff accountant at the Sparrow’s Point Plant. I was the first person in the accounting department to unwrap and learn how to use an IBM P.C.
(My wife) Jamie worked there, too, but not at the same time. She programmed the saws in the Rolling Mill for 3 years from 1990-1993. Her building is still standing. She had an office on the 6th floor. She also had an office in the Rolling Mill.
I’m thrilled that the infrastructure that used to support so many families in the Lehigh Valley has now found a rebirth and now serving families as an arts and entertainment.
Your wedding a few years ago took place at the Constitution Center in Philly. What made you pick that location over a traditional venue or somewhere cool like a laser tag arena?
(Laughs) Laser tag was booked so as a 2nd alternative, my lovey wife was aware of my passion for Franklin. Once we knew about the photo opportunity in the great hall including Franklin, she suggested a classy wedding at a museum at the home of one of the great founding documents. It turned out to be a wonderful wedding at a wonderful museum dedicated to a wonderful document. I was also scared she would beat me at laser tag.
As part of your wedding reception, I had my best friend dress up as Ben Franklin to give you a restraining order. How’d that make you feel?
I was horrified. My passion and obsession for Franklin was intended to flatter him and recognize his contributions to America and the World. But it is obvious that stalking him and emulating his every action was not appreciated.
What’s your favorite Ben Franklin quote and why?
“There was never a good war, or a bad peace.” I think it’s very appropriate for today’s circumstances in the world. I wish people would listen and embrace that quote.
You used to stump National Park rangers at Independence Hall with Revolutionary trivia. Did you enjoy embarrassing me?
It was my goal in life to learn as much about Ben Franklin and embarrass you as much as possible. I loved listening to their stories. It was usually generic information for the public’s consumption. But I love talking to people with a similar passion for history. They certainly knew a lot more about Independence Hall than I did. I would stump them with trivia about Franklin, with stuff about the writing of the Declaration or the writing of the Consitution. They knew more about the final document. They were into the physical location. I was more into the people.
Final question. I’m a little behind on my car payments. Can I borrow a few Benjamins?
(Laughs) Yeah, and you can have a 1953 Ben Franklin half dollar coin in there as well.
