Join the House’s Operations Manager, Caitlin Hoffman, in exploring the savoury (and unsavoury!) 18th Century diet and how Benjamin Franklin might be considered an early foodie. Discover why the Georgians drank beer in the morning and how Franklin introduced some of his favourite foods from the colonies to his London hosts.
Watch the full talk and Q&A below:
What is good character? Why does it matter?
Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century had an abiding faith in the power of good character to improve quality of life for an individual and society at large. As a young man, Benjamin Franklin identified 13 character virtues. What were they? Did they improve his character and are they instructive for ours? Join (founding) Benjamin Franklin House Director, Dr. Márcia Balisciano, for a fun and informative talk with virtual Q&A.
Watch the full talk and Q&A below:
Our priority is protecting our visitors, staff, volunteers – and of course our precious, historic building. To do our part to discourage the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we will be closing Benjamin Franklin House for all offerings effective Tuesday, 17 March 2020.
We hope to reopen in June or earlier, in line with UK government guidance. If you have tickets between now and 15 June, you can re-book here, or if you prefer, we will refund the cost of your ticket(s). However, we would be grateful if you would consider donating the cost of your ticket(s) to help Benjamin Franklin House weather this difficult time. We are continuing to pay our staff and key suppliers to ensure their well-being.
We do not take this decision lightly as our mission is to bring history and innovation to life for a global public through the world’s only surviving home of Benjamin Franklin.
While we are closed, we will take time to progress a number of core and new projects and explore opportunities for more distance programming.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org if you have any questions or concerns.
We will remember Benjamin Franklin’s advice: “it is in the first Place necessary to be careful in preserving Health (1786).”
Kind regards,
The Benjamin Franklin House Team
Tuesday 22 October, 7.15pm – 8:30pm
Delivering the 2019 Robert H Smith Lecture in Democracy, Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO, explores how issues of education for all, gender equality, tolerance and the fight against violent extremism are crucially linked to the preservation of heritage.
Irina Bokova is a Bulgarian politician and former Director-General of UNESCO (2009 to 2017). She was the first woman and the first Eastern European to lead the organisation. During her political and diplomatic career in Bulgaria, she was twice elected as a Member of the National Parliament and served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also served as Bulgaria’s Ambassador to France and to Monaco, and was Bulgaria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. At UNESCO, Director-General Bokova advocated for gender equality, improved education and preventing funding for terrorism, especially by enforcing the protection of intellectual goods. She was particularly active in defence of cultural heritage in conflict in Mali, Syria and Iraq and in denouncing extremists’ destruction of heritage as a tool of war.
Sponsored by the Eccles Centre for American Studies at the British Library in collaboration with Benjamin Franklin House.
For more information and to purchase tickets please follow the link here.
Friday 27 September, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
As part of the Emerge Festival, a celebration of London-wide culture, we will offer evening views of the House, along with a demonstration of Franklin’s glass armonica.
Ticket available via the Emerge Festival website here
Join us on a whistle-stop tour of Franklin’s many ingenious inventions, from the lightening rod to the glass armonica and the Franklin stove. House Education Manager, Eleanor Hamblen, will reflect on how Franklin’s scientific process led him to become one of the key figures of the Enlightenment and how his discoveries have shaped our modern world.
Watch the full talk and Q&A below
Join us for a celebration of Independence Day at Benjamin Franklin House. Enjoy cake and a glass of bubbly following a 30 minute tour of the world’s only remaining Franklin home. As a founder of the United States, Franklin was the only statesman to have signed all four documents that created a new nation, including The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and The Constitution. The first of these was signed on 4 July 1776.
Join us at one of the following celebration times: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3.15pm, and 4.15pm
£10/per person, refreshments included
Join us on Thursday 10 January 2019 at 6.30pm for a performance of The Final Plea.
This gripping one-man play by House Playwright in Residence, Michael London, explores the political tensions and complex family relationships that filled Benjamin Franklin’s final hours in London before his return to Philadelphia as a patriot for independence.
Audience members are invited to enjoy a glass of white wine or elderflower cordial before to the performance.
RSVP through eventbrite or education@benjaminfranklinhours.org
A celebration of Benjamin Franklin’s 314th birthday and the 14th anniversary of the opening of Benjamin Franklin House to the public as a dynamic museum and educational facility. A celebration with supporters and friends, with free tickets to our Historical Experience and cake for all!
Friday 17th January 12pm – 5pm
Advanced booking is required and can be done via Eventbrite here.
Step back in time and experience the House in true eighteenth-century style this winter, with our festive candlelit tours. Mulled wine and mince pies in Franklin’s parlour before exploring the House and its unique history.
Thursday 6 December, 6.30pm
Thursday 13 December, 6,30pm
Thursday 20 December, 6.30pm
£10/per person
Book tickets via eventbrite
