Minnesota Girl Tweets as Benjamin Franklin

MINNEAPOLIS - A Minnesota girl is bringing history to life by posting Twitter messages as Benjamin Franklin.

By definition, walking into the Minnesota History Center is like taking a step back in time. But Rowan Garrigan, 13, is using modern technology to bring the past into the present. Garrigan has always been fascinated with historical figures.

When she saw the history center's exhibit on Benjamin Franklin, she discovered that although they are separated by several centuries, they share a lot in common.

"He’s interested in a lot of things I’m interested in,” said Garrigan. “I like science and I like doing little experiments with electricity. I like to read about politics and know what's going on."

When her uncle, who works at the History Center, suggested she Tweet about the founding father, Garrigan couldn't wait to start her hi-tech history lesson.

Every morning, Garrigan posts on Twitter as Franklin himself, using the same abbreviations she uses to text her friends every day. Her followers have a few hours to decipher the message, before the translation is posted at the end of the day.

Rowan has been Tweeting about Franklin since the exhibit opened in November. So far she has about 150 followers. She'll continue until the exhibit closes in July.

Follow Garrigan on Twitter

www.twitter.com/bfffranklin