Wednesday August 18th 2021, 5pm BST/12pm EDT. Register here. 

Join us for the August installment of Ben’s Book Club, a monthly virtual gathering looking at themes relating to Benjamin Franklin, the 18th century, and American history. 

In this month’s special family edition of Ben’s Book Club, we will be talking to Michael J. Rosen about his book, ‘A Ben of All Trades: The Most Inventive Boyhood of Benjamin Franklin’. This rousing biography, illustrated by Matt Tavares, reveals how Benjamin Franklin’s boyhood shaped his amazingly multifaceted life. 

Young Benjamin Franklin wants to be a sailor, but his father won’t hear of it. The other trades he tries — candle maker, joiner, boot closer, turner — bore him through and through. Curious and inventive, Ben prefers to read, swim, fly his kite, and fly his kite while swimming. But each time he fails to find a profession, he takes some important bit of knowledge with him. That tendency is exactly what leads him to become the astonishingly versatile genius we remember today.  

Inspired by The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Michael J. Rosen’s wry tale captures Ben’s spirit in evocative yet playful language, while illustrations by Matt Tavares follow Ben from the workbench to the water in vivid detail. A love story to the value of variety, ‘A Ben of All Trades’ sheds light on an unconventional path to greatness and humanizes a towering figure in American history. 

Michael J. Rosen is the creator of a wide variety of more than 150 books for both adults and young readers. He is a poet, editor, writer of fiction and non-fiction, humorist, illustrator, ceramic artist, and playwright…and companion animal to a cattle dog named Chant.  

You can purchase a hardcopy or audio book of ‘A Ben of All Trades’ here.  

Join us even if you don’t have a chance to read the book by the event date! 

This event is free of charge but please consider making an online donation here to support the work of Benjamin Franklin House. 

Thursday 25 March 2021, 3pm GMT/10am ET. Register here.

Join our virtual history classes on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 3pm GMT to learn about key aspects of the Georgian period, when Benjamin Franklin was living in London. Together we will uncover the past and develop historical skills!

Since the Metropolitan Police Force was not established until 1829, law enforcement functioned very differently in the Georgian era. We’ll learn all about common crimes and gruesome punishments before trying some writing to help us identify with people from the past.

Activity materials: paper, pencil/pen

Most Suitable for KS2 and KS3 (US Grades 2-8) but all ages welcome!

For more information, contact our Education Manager

Watch the class below:

Thursday 25 February 2021, 3pm GMT/10am ET. Register here.

Join our virtual history classes on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 3pm GMT to learn about key aspects of the Georgian period, when Benjamin Franklin was living in London. Together we will uncover the past and develop historical skills!

In this class, we’ll take a look at eating habits in Georgian Britain across different classes. We’ll learn how tea became the national drink and why some people drank beer for breakfast before designing our own Georgian meal!

Activity materials: paper, pencil/pen, colouring pencils/pens

Most Suitable for KS2 and KS3 (US Grades 2-8) but all ages welcome!

For more information, contact our Education Manager

Watch the full class below: 

Thursday 28 January 2021, 3pm GMT/10am ET.

Register here

Join our virtual history classes on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 3pm GMT to learn about key aspects of the Georgian period, when Benjamin Franklin was living in London. Together we will uncover the past and develop historical skills!

In this class, we’ll take a look at fashionable society in Georgian London. We’ll use primary sources to help us understand what life what life was like for members of the upper, middle and lower classes. Then we’ll try some writing of our own, putting ourselves in the shoes of people from the past.

Activity materials: paper, pencil/pen

Most Suitable for KS2 and KS3 (US Grades 2-8) but all ages welcome!

Please note that the session will be recorded. By registering, participants agree to follow our Online Safety Agreement

For more information, contact our Education Manager

Watch the class below:

Have you every wondered how Benjamin Franklin might have celebrated Christmas, while he was living in London at 36 Craven Street? Join our Education Manager for this live session and learn all about Georgian Christmas traditions. You’ll also find out how you can make your own simple festive wreath at home!

To complete the activity, you will need: 1 paper plate, wrapping paper, scissors, PVA glue (or tape), ribbon or string, stickers and other decorations

Watch the recording below: