Events Calendar 2023
To view all upcoming events for the year, please check out our Event’s Calendar via the button below!
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.
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.
After Dark: The Cadavers of Craven Street
Thursday 27 October 2022, from 5pm.
Are you ready to explore the darker side of Benjamin Franklin House?! Join us for an after-hours tour 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 now to secure the tour time of your choice.
£15 per person (plus booking fee), refreshments included.
Open House 2022
As part of this year’s Open House festival, we invite you to take the exclusive chance to experience Benjamin Franklin House self-guided, using our free, digital guide on Bloomberg Connects.
36 Craven Street is exceptional given that it retains a high degree of authentic features, with relatively few later alterations. These include original floorboards, original ceilings, and original fireplaces. Most of the rooms are panelled; the stairs are original. There are carved wood mantelpieces with decorative pilasters to the jambs in the room which was Franklin’s Parlour. Combined with Benjamin Franklin’s long residence, the House is of special cultural importance, reflected by its Grade l status.
Visitors will be able to walk around at their own leisure and will get to go behind the scenes through exclusive talks and information on the app.
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.
There will be an alternative, accessible version of the guide available on the day.
Plan your day here.
Summer Walking Tours: Benjamin Franklin’s 18th Century London
Discover the sights, sounds and smells of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th Century London in our brand-new summer walking tour!
Starting at our doorstep, our expert guide will lead you around our local area to retrace the steps Franklin would have taken whilst living and working here just prior to the American Revolution.
From famous thoroughfares to hidden streets, you’ll uncover a layer of London history and learn of its transformation over the last 200 years.
Thursday 21 July August 2022, 3pm.
Thursday 25 August 2022, 3pm.
Duration: 1.5 hours (approximate)
Location: Starting from 36 Craven Street.
Tickets: £9.50 per person
Celebrate 4th July Weekend with us!
Spend 4th July weekend at the home of Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin!
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, the year after Franklin left this house!
Whether you’re an American expat or a just want to get in on the celebrations with our friends across the pond, we are ready to welcome you all weekend!
Friday 1 – Sunday 3 July 2022, 12-5pm
See Benjamin Franklin House decorated for the occasion and join us for our Architectural Tours on Friday and our Historical Experience show on Saturday and Sunday to learn all about the time Franklin spent in London on the cusp of revolution!
From £7.50 per adult – Purchase tickets via Art Tickets here
Monday 4 July 2022
12-4:15pm
Join us for our flagship offering, the Historical Experience, where the house will be transformed into a stage for a drama that tells the rich story of Franklin in London just prior to the Revolution. A one-off Monday treat!
From £9.50 per adult – purchase tickets here.
5-7pm.
We are also opening our doors for two exclusive after-hours tours, complete with American-inspired drinks and snacks!
£15 per person – find out more and purchase tickets.
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations: Benjamin Franklin’s Relationship with the Crown
Join us as we celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee!
Thursday June 2, Friday June 3 – Sunday June 5, 12pm – 5pm
In honour of the event, we will be enhancing our standard Architectural Tours and Historical Experiences with jubilee decorations and fun Benjamin Franklin facts all about his surprising relationship to the Crown.
From £7.50 per adult – Purchase tickets via Art Tickets here
Thursday June 2, 6pm – 7pm
Kick off the four day weekend with an after hours tour complete with traditional British cocktails and snacks!
Make your way through this iconic historic building, the only remaining residence of Benjamin Franklin anywhere in the world, and learn all about Benjamin Franklin’s relationship with the Crown during his 16 year stay here.
£10/per person – Purchase tickets via Eventbrite here