Events Calendar 2023
To view all upcoming events for the year, please check out our Event’s Calendar via the button below!
Franklin’s Young Scientists: ELECTRICITY!
Franklin’s Young Scientists is our FREE science club for aspiring scientists in Key Stage 2/3 (ages 10-14). Participants learn all about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying their hand at practical investigations. A range of core topics from the science curriculum are covered including electricity, forces, sound and the human body.
In this session, we will carry out some exciting experiments with static electricity in our Student Science Centre and learn all about Franklin’s Key and Kite.
The Young Scientists will create sparks with our Wimshurst Machine, see their hair stand on end with our Van Der Graff Generator and watch 250,000 volts of electricity strike our miniature key and kite with out Tesla Coil!
This is a FREE after-school workshop most suitable for Year 6-9 pupils and anyone else with a keen interest in Science and History! These workshops will run monthly with the next session occurring on 16th February.
Please note: Parents are welcome to attend, however there is a cap of one adult per child during busier sessions.
Family Event: Christmas!
Join us on Monday 19th December at 11am as we celebrate Christmas at Benjamin Franklin’s wonderful Grade I-Listed Georgian town house in the heart of London. You and your family will learn all about the rich history of Christmas in the 18th century and discover which Georgian traditions have survived to this day!
Learn about the history of Christmas in London, from the 18th century to the present day.
Discover the Georgian traditions that Benjamin Franklin experienced over 250 years ago!
Create your very own Christmas decorations to take home. From a toilet roll Santa to top your tree to sparkly icicles to hang from your mantlepiece!
Make a special Christmas card for a loved one using one of our Georgian or Victorian designs and write your message using one of our quill pens!
This event is designed primarily for families with children aged 4-10. However, all are welcome to take part in the festivities! To cover the cost of materials, there is a small, non-refundable fee of £2.50 per ticket for this event.
If you have any queries regarding the event, please do not hesitate to contact our Education Manager via email; education@benjaminfranklinhouse.com
Being Human Festival 2022
Did you know that this year marks the 250th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s visit to the Lake District in 1772?
Benjamin Franklin House will be teaming up with Keswick Museum, Lancaster University, the Royal Society and The Beacon Museum to commemorate the occasion as part of this year’s Being Human Festival. The event, Benjamin Franklin’s Scientific Adventures in the English Lakes will be taking place in Keswick Museum on Saturday 19th November 2022 between 11am and 3pm.
Interested in the history of science? Fancy learning about influential experiments conducted in the English Lake District hundreds of years ago? Come along for a hands-on exploration of this extraordinary chapter in scientific history. This activity marks the 250th anniversary of the American scientist, printer and statesman Benjamin Franklin’s visit to the Lakes in 1772. Learn about some of the breakthrough experiments Franklin and his friends were conducting two and a half centuries ago. Explore why oil and water interact in the way that they do, and discover how to grow salt crystals.
Bookable sessions will run hourly. Drop-ins on the day are welcome, but the space for each session is limited. Please reserve places in advance. This activity is suited to family audiences of all ages.
Oil on Water: Benjamin Franklin in the English Lakes from Henry Iddon on Vimeo.
After Dark: Christmas at Craven Street
Glistening by candlelight, our 18th century Georgian Home is the perfect setting for a cosy and historical Christmas. Our guided evening tours will take you on a magical journey through our extraordinary history.
- A rare opportunity to see our home after-dark
- Step back in time, walk through the rooms Ben knew and loved, and learn of Georgian Christmas traditions and celebrations
- Snap photos of the House dressed with authentic 18th century decorations
- Enjoy mince pies and the warming English yuletide drink, Wassail, in the Parlour of Benjamin Franklin
Thursday 8 and 22 December.
Tours will run at 5pm and 6pm. Limited capacity with timed entry. Book now to secure the date and tour time of your choice.
£15 per person (plus booking fee), refreshments included.
Benjamin Franklin House at History Camp America 2022
On Saturday 5th November, we will be taking part in History Camp America 2022! Across the day there will be a series of interesting virtual talks and tours from institutions all over the US. Benjamin Franklin House will be joining from across the pond to deliver a virtual tour of the House and demonstration of Franklin’s Glass Armonica.
To view the schedule for History Camp America 2022, please find the information here; HCA 2022 Schedule.
We expect more than 30 sessions for 2022—including presentations, historic site tours, recipes, session-stretch yoga, and more! Registrants have exclusive access to the online portal on the day of the event as well as one year exclusive access to replay the sessions following the event.
To view previews of the 7 site tours, please follow the like here.
After Dark: Thanksgiving
Looking for the perfect London Thanksgiving? Whether you’re an American expat, former US resident or simply an Americanophile, our museum is the ideal setting to spend quality time with family and friends on this all-important American Holiday.
- Celebrate with an after-hours tour of the historic House
- View decorations created by our school and family groups
- Add a note to the ‘Wall of Gratitude’ in the House’s corridor
- Enjoy traditional Thanksgiving treats (including the “best Pumpkin Pie” in London) in our parlour
Thursday 24 November 2022.
Tours will run at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. Limited capacity with timed entry. BOOK NOW to secure the tour time of your choice.
£15 per person (plus booking fee), refreshments included.
Family Event: Thanksgiving
Join us on Sunday 13 November 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. as we celebrate the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving. You will learn all about this popular event and also learn how to decorate your house to celebrate it!
Uncover the origins of this North American holiday. You will learn all about how Thanksgiving was celebrated through the ages including Benjamin Franklin’s time and find out why turkeys are most commonly associated with it.
Decorate Benjamin Franklin House with your very own hand-crafted Thanksgiving displays for all to see! Together we will create all kinds of Thanksgiving-themed decorations from colourful hand turkeys to hand-made cornucopias and a gratitude tree that visitors to the house will be able to enjoy!
This event is designed primarily for families with children age 5-10. However, all are welcome to take part in the festivities! This is a FREE event, but donations are always warmly welcome.
Book Tickets: HERE
Family Event: Halloween
Trick or treat! Join us on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th October at Benjamin Franklin House for a fun-filled morning as we explore the history of America’s spookiest holiday and craft some terrifyingly good decorations to take home!
Discover where Halloween comes from and why we celebrate it! Ever wonder why we carve pumpkins, dress up in scary costumes, and eat lots of candy? You’ll learn the answers to these questions and more as we uncover the mysteries behind this frightfully fun festival!
Create your very own Halloween-themed decorations to take home and decoration your coffins with. Glue sticks at the ready! There will be lots of arts and crafts happening throughout the session. Make your very own Halloween card, a garland of ghosts to hang from your rafters, and a wickedly wonderful witch ornament for your window.
This event is most suitable for families with kids ages 5-12. However, everyone is welcome dead or alive! This a FREE event, but donations are most welcome.
Event Times
WEDNESDAY 26th
11am-12:30pm – SOLD OUT
1:30pm-3pm – SOLD OUT
THURSDAY 27th
11am-12:30pm – SOLD OUT
Book Tickets HERE
Children’s Summer Fair 2022
This year, Benjamin Franklin House is collaborating with the William Morris Society and Fulham Palace for an exciting Children’s Summer Fair to end the Summer Holidays!
Join us on Saturday 27th August for an exiting day of family friendly activities.
Get stuck in with the range of activities on offer:
- The William Morris Society will be getting inspired by our latest exhibition on May Morris by recreating her Orange Tree in 3D form and creating beautiful tissue paper flowers.
- Benjamin Franklin House will be exploring letters from the past with the chance to write your own 18th century letters using quills, ink and parchment!
- Fulham Palace will be bringing along some mystery objects from the past. Get curious and guess what they are, who used them, and when and where you think they come from. Complete with a chance to get into costume!
The event will be taking place at The William Morris Society, 26 Upper Mall, London, W6 9TA and is FREE! Although we do request that you book tickets to secure a place as there are limited slots available. You can book your tickets here.
