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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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Summer Walking Tours

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

Buy Tickets

 

Thursday, August 22nd at 3pm

Buy Tickets

 

If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to contact Front of House Manager Megan at supervisor@benjaminfranklinhouse.org.

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After Dark at Craven Street

Thursday 26 and Monday 30th October 2022, 2pm-7pm.

Are you ready to explore the darker side of Benjamin Franklin House?!  Join us for an after-hours experience this Halloween to hear of haunted happenings at our Historic House.

  • See Benjamin Franklin House transformed for the occasion and experience a eerie evening in an original Georgian home
  • Hear the spine-chilling stories of the cadavers that were found in our basement
  • Immerse yourself in our small and spooky candle-lit rooms
  • Listen to the haunting tones of Franklin’s Glass Armonica

There might even be some tasty treats (or tricks) along the way…

Your history-lovers Halloween starts here!

Limited capacity with timed entry. Book Thursday 26th or Monday 30th to secure the tour time of your choice.

£10 per person (plus booking fee), refreshments included.

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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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4th of July at the Benjamin Franklin House

Spend 4th of July at the home of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin!

As the only American statesman to have signed all four of the documents that created the new nation – The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and The Constitution – Franklin’s contributions to American independence are unparalleled!

So, come visit us to see a star-spangled Benjamin Franklin House, enjoy refreshments, and pose for a picture with Polly Hewson, who became like a daughter to Franklin during his time at 36 Craven Street.

Through our self-guided tours, walking tours, and our flagship Historical Experience, you will discover what life was like for an American in London while the colonies were on the cusp of revolution!

 

Thursday, 4 July 2024

Join us for timed visits throughout the day!

Self-guided Tours – £12.50 (plus booking fees)
Available from 10-11:30am, 11:30am-1pm, and 1-2:30pm

  • Learn about the 16 years Franklin spent here
  • Discover the rooms as they were when he left for Philadelphia in 1775 to sign the Declaration of Independence
  • See the House dressed for the occasion
  • Be tempted by American-style refreshments to complete your experience

Get your Self-guided Tour tickets here

Books and bifocals on a desk in Franklin's parlour

Walking Tours – £12.50 (plus booking fees)
Available at 3:30pm

  • Step inside the home where Franklin lived and worked for the 16 years prior to American independence before joining Tour Guide extraordinaire Brian for a walking tour of Franklin’s London!
  • Discover the rooms as they were when he left for Philadelphia in 1775 to sign the Declaration of Independence
  • Be tempted by American-inspired drinks and snacks to complete your experience

Get your tickets for the Walking Tour here

Museum Lates – £17.50 (plus booking fees)
Available from 5-6pm, 6-7pm, and 7-8pm

  • Join a self-guided tour and discover the rooms that Franklin lived and worked in for the 16 years prior to American independence
  • See the House dressed in red, white, and blue
  • Enjoy American-style refreshments and alcoholic beverages

Get your tickets for the Museum Late here

 

Friday, 5 July 2024 
Architectural Tours available on the hour between 11am-4pm

Come see the House in all its Independence Day glory, wandering from room to room to explore the fascinating history of 36 Craven Street and Franklin’s long residence here (1757-1775).

 

Saturday, and Sunday, 6-7 July 2024
Historical Experience available on the hour between 11am-4pm

Using a combination of audio-visual display and live acting, the Historical Experience dramatically tells the story of Franklin’s time in London through the eyes of Polly Hewson, the lady of the House.

Please note: the House will be decorated for Independence Day from the 28th of June forward, so pop in for a visit to see 36 Craven Street dressed for the occasion!

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The Coronation: 4-7 May 2023

Join us in the heart of Westminster as we celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, just as Ben would have done for George III in 1761!

Thursday May 4, 3pm

We are relaunching our walking tour, with an added coronation twist! Discover the sights, sounds and smells of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th Century London whilst retracing the steps Ben might have taken as an attendee to King George III’s coronation day!

£12/per person – More information and tickets

Friday May 5, Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7, 12pm – 5pm 

In honour of the event, we will be enhancing our standard Architectural Tours and Historical Experiences with coronation decorations and fun Benjamin Franklin facts all about his surprising relationship to the Crown.

From £7.50 per adult – Purchase tickets here

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Summer Walking Tour: Benjamin Franklin’s 18th Century London

Discover the sights, sounds and smells of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th Century London in the re-launch of our walking tour! From famous thoroughfares to hidden streets, you’ll uncover a layer of London history and learn of 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 fateful day!

Thursday 7th September 2023, 2.30pm.

Duration: 1.5 hours (approximate)

Location: Starting from 36 Craven Street.

Tickets: £12 per person

Book your tickets now!

 

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Events Calendar 2023

To view all upcoming events for the year, please check out our Event’s Calendar via the button below!

Click me!
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Ben’s Birthday and the House’s Anniversary Bash!

You’d have the Custom broke, you say,
That marks with festive Mirth your natal Day;
“Because as one grows old,
One cares not to be told,
How many of one’s Years have pass’d away.”  – 1767

Celebrate Ben’s 317th birthday and the House’s 17th anniversary of being open to the public:

  • An after-hours tour of the Home Benjamin Franklin knew and loved
  • Hear fun facts about 18th century birthday celebrations
  • Learn how to play Happy Birthday on his Glass Armorica
  • A slice (or two) of birthday cake in his parlour

Party hats strongly encouraged!

Tour starts at 5pm. Limited capacity with timed entry. A toast to the man will follow the tour!

Tuesday 17 January.
Tour at 5pm. A toast to the man will follow! 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.

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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.