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Thanksgiving at Benjamin Franklin House

Join us on Thanksgiving Day!

 

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.

 

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2024 US Election Debate with Justin Webb

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.

BOOK TICKETS

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Ben’s Book Club Returns!

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.

Book your free tickets here.

 

Buy a copy of our featured works below:

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The Coercive Acts – Response to the Boston Tea Party

THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSTON TEA PARTY TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER 2023 

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

WHOSE SIDE WILL YOU BE ON?

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Education Volunteers Needed!

Are you looking for some experience in delivering exciting creative learning opportunities for young people? If so, Benjamin Franklin House needs you!

We are currently looking for a team of Education Volunteers to support the delivery of our Tuesday schools programming at the House. Benjamin Franklin House is a Grade-I listed building and heritage gem in the heart of Central London. We are the world’s only remaining Franklin residence and serve as an historic house and education facility championing Franklin’s legacy in history and science.

During Term Time, we welcome school groups to the House for exciting trips that cover a range of topics in the National Curriculum. Our main audience is KS2 Primary School children, but we also offer visits for KS4, KS5 and Higher Education learners too.

As an Education Volunteer, you will be supporting the delivery of our exciting schools programme that involves: welcoming classes to the House, leading introductions to our history, and running workshops covering the history of medicine and science. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain or develop experience working with young people in an historic setting and we provide excellent professional development opportunities. Previous volunteers have been able to use their experience here to progress into graduate courses in museum/heritage/education studies as well as early careers in teaching and museum education.

Education volunteers are required to work between 10am and 2pm every Tuesday during Term Time and are welcome to also support our other offers including our Family Events and other education related programming.

If you are interested in becoming an education volunteer at Benjamin Franklin House please email our Education Manager, Henry Wilkinson, for further information. Please email: education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

Volunteers are needed throughout the year so get in touch any time! If you would like to arrange a call/visit to the House with our Education Manager, please email.

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Dr Tristram Hunt: ‘The Radical Potter: Josiah Wedgwood and the Transformation of Britain’

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

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Volunteers Needed!

Would you like to volunteer at Benjamin Franklin House? We have a variety of fantastic volunteering opportunities open at the House and want to hear from you!

Our volunteer team is essential to the daily running of the House. By volunteering with us you can meet new people and gain valuable heritage experience, we are currently looking for support in:

  • Front of House 
  • Social Media 
  • Education

If you are interested then keep reading!

Front of House Volunteers

As a front-of-house volunteer on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays you will be a vital aspect of our visitor experience. You will provide a warm welcome to visitors, introduce our main offering the Historical Experience and conduct Q&A sessions, process ticket bookings/sales, and more.

Autumn 2023: We are currently looking for more Front of House volunteers to assist with the running of our public offerings. Contact the Front of House Supervisor to apply or find out more about volunteering with Benjamin Franklin House.

Social Media Volunteers

As a social media volunteer you are a vital part of our community engagement.

You will create content for our TikTok and Instagram posts to help encourage visitors to Benjamin Franklin House and to promote our events!

Autumn 2023: We are currently looking for more Social Media volunteers to assist with the running of our online platforms. Contact the Front of House Supervisor to apply or find out more about volunteering with Benjamin Franklin House.

Education Volunteers

Our education volunteers support our Education Manager with workshops for KS2 pupils on Tuesdays in term time. This will involve leading engaging history and science workshops for pupils visiting the House. You will also be on hand to support our numerous Family Days which celebrate seasonal occasions such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  If you are an aspiring teacher or would like to gain experience working with young people then this is a great opportunity that covers all Key Stages.

We are currently looking for more Education Volunteers to help support our School Visits and Family Days at Benjamin Franklin House. Please email our Education Manager at education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org to apply or find out more about volunteering.

We would like Education Volunteers to start from October/November so get in touch soon!

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OPEN HOUSE @ Benjamin Franklin House 2023

We’re taking part in Open House 2023!

We’ll be free to enter and open on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th; Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September.

Visitors will be able to walk around at their own leisure

This is a drop-in open day, so there is no need to pre-book. To prepare and save time upon arrival, please download our guide on Bloomberg Connects. The app offers a ‘Self-guided Tour’ which we recommend visitors follow, as well as behind the scenes content and exclusive talks.

10am – 4pm – entry times on the hour.

Plan your day here!

 

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To Begin The World Over Again: The Life of Thomas Paine

Join us on the 15th October for Ian Ruskin‘s one-man play exploring the life and achievements of the great Enlightenment figure and Founding Father, Thomas Paine.

“Our world would be a less enlightened place, were it not for this man.” – Ruskin

Run time: 1h 15 followed by Q&A session

Tickets £15 –> Book now

 

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Recreating Franklin: What it Means to Bring Benjamin Franklin Alive

6 July 2023, 7pm

Join BFH Playwright in Residence, Michael London, and Royal Shakespeare Actor Keith Bartlett for an evening of bringing Benjamin Franklin alive in readings from the plays New World and Treason. Keith, who has played Franklin on stage and screen, will join together with Mike who has written several works on Franklin and his son William.

They will share their talents and a discussion of what it means to bring Benjamin Franklin alive to new audiences, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Tickets cost £5. Secure your seat here.