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Outreach: Become an Inventor

In May 2022, our Education Manager travelled to Watling Park Primary School in Edgware (London) to deliver one of our Outreach Programmes to two groups of Year 5 students. In each session, the pupils were asked to follow in Franklin’s footsteps and become inventors!

The classes produced some fantastic ideas, from innovative fashion booths to money guns, translator machines to friction shoes! At the end of each session, the pupils pitched their inventions to the rest of the class for the group to decide on which to invest in.

Our Education Manager has selected his favourites from the two sessions and these can be found in the gallery below!

 

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Frank(lin) Views: Nigel Newton CBE

Frank(lin) Views podcast features thought leaders across disciplines on themes associated with Benjamin Franklin – the great diplomat, writer, inventor, scientist and more – including leadership, the purpose of history, modern day publishing, and diplomacy.

In this episode of Frank(lin) Views, Benjamin Franklin House Director, Dr Marcia Balisciano, sits down with Nigel Newton CBE, founder and chief executive of Bloomsbury Publishing, to discuss the evolution of the publishing sector, his career so far, and how he came to publish Harry Potter with a little help from his daughter.

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First Family Day of 2022! A Georgian Easter Celebration

On Tuesday 4th April 2022, we held our first Family Event of the year! As it was during the Easter Holidays, the theme for the day was a Georgian Easter Celebration.

Our families enjoyed a tour of the House that featured a Benjamin Franklin-themed Easter Egg hunt in each of our historic rooms. Children learned about Georgian Easter traditions alongside some interesting fact about Franklin and the years he spent at 36 Craven Street.

Following this, the families had some fun with Easter inspired arts and crafts. We made Easter bonnets, cards and decorations!

It was a fantastic day for all involved, pictures can be found below. Our next Family Event will be on Tuesday 31st May and is called ‘Inside Benjamin Franklin’s Georgian House.’ This day will teach families the architectural history of 36 Craven Street and Georgian homes. Check out more by going to our event page here.

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Inside Benjamin Franklin’s Georgian House!

The event is designed to introduce children (KS1-3) to Georgian architecture, design, and history as we explore the preserved rooms of Benjamin Franklin House.

We will begin with an interactive tour of 36 Craven Street that explores how each room would have been used almost 300 years ago! In the second half of the session, families will create their very own Georgian home in an arts and crafts workshop that builds on the knowledge gained during the initial tour.

Recommended ages are 7-11 – but everyone is welcome!

Tuesday 31st May 2022 at 11am-12pm

Tickets are FREE and can be booked here!

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Dress Like a Georgian!

In this Family Event, explore the fashion and style of Georgian London. Join Polly, resident of 36 Craven Street during Benjamin Franklin’s time in the house as she guides you through the history of the House and the proper attire to wear inside it!

Interactive activates will explore the different dress codes of the day with an opportunity for children to make their own Georgian hat!

Most suitable for ages 5-11, but all are welcome!

Tuesday 26th July 2022 at 11am-12pm 

Tickets are FREE and can be booked here!

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Benjamin Franklin House and the latest documentary from the renowned filmmaker, Ken Burns

On April 4th and 5th 2022, the latest two-part documentary series from the world-renowned Ken Burns debuts on PBS in the US. His award-winning biopics have been broadcast across the world and have focused on an array of influential Americans such as Muhammad Ali, Ernest Hemmingway and Thomas Jefferson. His latest subject is none other than ‘the First American’ himself, Benjamin Franklin. Across four hours, Burns’ documentary explores the extraordinary life of Dr Franklin and features two of Hollywood’s most recognisable stars, Michael Douglas and Mandy Patinkin, in the starring role.

Benjamin Franklin House is proud to feature in an exclusive behind-the-scenes video detailing the Founding Father’s time in London and at 36 Craven Street. In the clip, our Director, Dr. Márcia Balisciano leads us through the history of the House, from the time Franklin resided here, to the present day and the efforts that have gone in to preserving this fascinating piece of American history.

If you would like to find out more about the documentary and watch the exclusive piece about Benjamin Franklin House, visit Ken Burns: Benjamin Franklin website here.

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Outreach: Become and Inventor!

In March 2022, our Education Manager travelled to Drew Primary School in Newnham (London) to deliver one of our Outreach Programmes to two groups of Year 6 students. In each session, the pupils were asked to follow in Franklin’s footsteps and become inventors!

The classes produced some fantastic ideas, from innovative water bottles to pizza guns, homework machines to snack-grabbers! At the end of each session, the pupils pitched their inventions to the rest of the class for the group to decide on which to invest in.

Our Education Manager has selected his favourites from the two sessions and these can be found in the gallery below!

Allowing one to walk on water for just £35!
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Frankly Speaking 2022

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Georgian Easter Celebration!

Join us for Easter-themed crafts and games. Take part in a special Easter egg hunt inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s inventions and scientific work.

Create an Easter card, decorate eggs and make Georgian Easter bonnets!

Tuesday 5th April 12.30pm-14.30pm.

Suitable for children aged 5-11.

Book a ticket now! Tickets can be found here.

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Frank(lin) Views: Sir Bob Reid

Frank(lin) Views podcast features thought leaders across disciplines on themes associated with Benjamin Franklin – the great diplomat, writer, inventor, scientist and more – including leadership, the purpose of history, modern day publishing, and diplomacy.

In this episode of Frank(lin) Views, Benjamin Franklin House Director, Dr Marcia Balisciano, sits down with BFH Board Member Sir Bob Reid to discuss the purpose of history.

Sir Bob Reid graduated from St Andrews University after studying political economy and modern history. In 1956 he joined Shell International Petroleum Company Limited, and he served as chairman and chief executive of Shell UK from 1985 to 1990. During his tenure at Shell, Sir Bob spent much of his career overseas, including posts in Brunei, Nigeria, Thailand and Australia while responsible for all oil exploration, production, refineries and coastal shipping.

In 1997 he joined Bank of Scotland as Deputy Chairman, where he remained until 2004. He became chairman of the British Railways Board in 1990 during the build-up to privatisation and held this post until 1995. From 1997 to 2004 he was the deputy governor of the Bank of Scotland. He received his knighthood in Queen Elizabeth’s 1990 Birthday Honours.