6pm
Join us either in person or online as Patrick Baty talks us through his long career of conserving some of England’s most remarkable historic homes, including his process of restoring the original ‘Franklin green’ color to the wooden-panelled walls of Benjamin Franklin House!
Join us for an after-hours tour of Benjamin Franklin House to celebrate Ben’s 319th birthday, complete with a glass of prosecco and a slice of birthday cake!
The event will start at 5pm, and capacity is limited.
Note: party hats strongly encouraged!
9-11am: FREE drop-in social for postgraduate students
Whether you’re an American studying abroad, you have an interest in American studies, or you’re just hoping to celebrate Thanksgiving in the home of one of the United States’ most preeminent founding fathers, we hope you’ll join us a hot drink and a Thanksgiving treat! We’d love you meet you and hear about your research interests and experiences.
1-2:30pm and 3-4:30pm: Architectural Tour & Talk
Join us for a tour of Benjamin Franklin House, which will include autumnal refreshments and a talk on Benjamin Franklin and Native American relations in pre-Revolutionary Pennsylvania by Dr. Megan King (University of Kent).
Tickets for the Tour & Talk should be pre-booked here.
Join moderator Justin Webb, the BBC’s first North America Editor, Host of the Today Programme, and BFH’s Journalist in Residence, for a debate between Kristin Wolfe of Democrats Abroad UK and Greg Swenson of Republican Overseas!
Attend in person or online on Thursday, 24 October, with a chance to ask your own questions on who is best placed to lead the United States over the next four years: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.
We’re proud to be hosting an array of accomplished historians who have kindly donated their time to walk us through some of Franklin’s practical lessons and words of wisdom, fascinating friendships and connections, and contributions to American literacy.
Buy a copy of our featured works below:
We’re pleased to announce the return of our Summer Walking Tours on July 25th and August 22nd!
Join tour guide extraordinaire Brian to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th-century London! From famous thoroughfares to hidden streets, you’ll uncover a layer of London history and learn about its transformation over the last 200 years.
Starting at our doorstep, our expert guide will lead you around our local area to follow the steps Franklin would have taken whilst living and working here just prior to the American Revolution. As a witness to George III’s coronation on September 22, 1761, we will also be retracing the steps that Ben might have taken on that historic day!
Thursday, July 25th at 3pm
Thursday, August 22nd at 3pm
If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to contact Front of House Manager Megan at supervisor@benjaminfranklinhouse.org.
What happened afterwards in the lead-up to the American Declaration of Independence?
Join us at the National Archives for an afternoon debate!
SATURDAY 1st JUNE 2024
13.00 – 15.15 HRS
The National Archives, Bessant Drive, Richmond TW9 4DU
Tickets £10 available via this link
It’s 1774 and the tea party is over. Britain is shocked at the colonists’ blatant disregard for the law and sovereignty. It is time to respond.
You are cordially invited to join the Walter Hines Page Chapter, NSDAR (National Society Daughters of The American Revolution) and the Kew Society as we explore the Coercive Acts of 1774, a key element in the lead-up to the Declaration of Independence.
The afternoon begins at 1pm and will feature a display of original documents related to the Coercive Acts held by the National Archives and a debate between the colonists and the British.
Timings:
Document display at 1pm – 2pm
Debate begins at 2pm between the Colonists & Parliament
Q&A from audience at 2.30pm
Document Display continues at 2.45pm
Event ends at 3.15pm
Café stays open till 4pm
Join Benjamin Franklin House and Dr Tristram Hunt on 16th November @ 17.30, 36 Craven Street
An entrepreneur, abolitionist and beacon of the Industrial Revolution, Josiah Wedgwood was perhaps the greatest English potter. From his kilns in Stoke-on-Trent he changed the production of ceramics in Georgian England. Tristram Hunt, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and author of the acclaimed new biography of Wedgwood, The Radical Potter, calls him the ‘Steve Jobs of the 18th century’ for the way he changed consumer culture, and the impact and extraordinary contribution he has had globally. In this talk, Hunt will also explore Wedgwood’s life beyond the pottery and looks at his radical politics, including his friendship and admiration for Benjamin Franklin, who he regarded as an enlightened thinker, fellow patriot, and loyal customer.
Limited tickets available, £15 –> Book now
