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(SOLD OUT) Open House London, Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September

Open House London is the capital’s largest annual festival of architecture and design. This annual event allows the public to cross the threshold of some of London’s most interesting buildings, including Grade I, 1730s Benjamin Franklin House. Half-hourly guided tours will take place throughout the day.

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, 11.00am-4.30pm

Free – half-hourly tours run on a first come first served basis. Advance booking required.

Register here 

Donations welcome

Rules for a safe visit

All visitors will be required to wear masks while in the House except:

  • Children under 11
  • People with disabilities
  • Those with breathing difficulties
  • Anyone travelling with someone who relies on lip reading

Tour groups are limited to 4 people from separate households in line with social distancing measures.

Please refrain from touching public surfaces while in the House

Please do not enter the House if you feel unwell

Our staff is available should you need any assistance

For more information email info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

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Family Day: Watch it Grow!

Benjamin Franklin was a keen botanist and frequently exchanged seeds with other scientists. Learn about what plants need to grow and decorate your own plant pot to take away!

To complete the craft activity at home, you will need:

  • a recycled plastic pot (eg. a large empty yoghurt pot),
  • magazines or coloured paper,
  • scissors,
  • a pen,
  • pva glue,
  • paintbrush,
  • additional decorations (optional)

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

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Family Day: Dress Like a Georgian!

Join Polly Hewson, a character from Franklin’s household, to learn about Georgian dress and etiquette. Design your own period outfits for Franklin and his fashionable friends in London!

Most suitable for ages 7-11.

You can watch the virtual segment below:

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

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Family Day: Hewson’s School of Anatomy

A fellow resident of 36 Craven street during Franklin’s stay in London, Dr. William Hewson ran an anatomy school for medical students. Join us to learn about the history of medicine and what Hewson taught his students about the human body.

Most suitable for ages 11-13.

You can watch the virtual segment below:

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

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Family Day: Up, up and away!

Franklin famously used a kite to show that lightning was a natural form of electricity in Philadelphia. He also watched the first manned ascent of a Montgolfier hot air balloon in Paris. Join us to carry out investigations into the forces which affect flight!

Most suitable for ages 8-11.

You can watch the virtual segment below:

How to make a model parachute:

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

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Virtual Children’s Summer Fete 2020

Although we’re not able to hold the annual Benjamin Franklin House Children’s Summer Fete this year, we’ve still teamed up with our friends from across the heritage world bring a range of fun craft ideas to you virtually!

Follow the links below to find out more:

Benjamin Franklin House: Monoprinting

John Wesley’s House: Music Makers

Arts & Crafts Hammersmith: Mobile and Sunflower

Leighton House: Make and Create

Newington Green Meeting House: Craftivism Protest Banner

Don’t forget to send in photos of your creations to education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org for your chance to win one of our Benjamin Franklin House sticker books!

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Virtual Children’s Summer Fete: Newington Green Meeting House

Craftivism Protest Banner

Mary Wollstonecraft was just one of the revolutionary figures who visited the Newington Green Meeting House. Watch this video to find out how to create your own protest banner, as part of the craftivism series they are running throughout the summer. If you would rather read the instructions, you can download them here.

Don’t forget to send a photo of your creations to education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org for your chance to win a sticker book!

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Virtual Children’s Summer Fete: Leighton House Museum

Make and Create with Leighton House Museum

Welcome to Leighton House, Kensington, the magical home of celebrated Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton.

Do you like stories full of mystery, drama, love and adventure? So did Leighton! He was inspired by the myths of Ancient Greece and Rome to create some of his best known paintings and the Narcissus Hall in his home.

Be inspired too!  Make and create with our five activity packs, and listen to these wonderful stories told by our professional storyteller, Vanessa Woolf (@londondreamtime).

 

Don’t forget to send a photo of your creations to education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org for your chance to win a sticker book!

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Virtual Children’s Summer Fete: Arts & Crafts Hammersmith (a partnership between Emery Walker’s House and the William Morris Society)

Let’s Make a Sunflower!

The William Morris Society promotes all aspects of the life and work of William Morris (1834-1896) and runs a small museum at his former home, Kelmscott House in Hammersmith. Download the instructions to make your own sunflower, inspired by Morris’ designs, here.

 

Let’s Make a Mobile!

The Emery Walker Trust conserves, maintains and displays Emery Walker’s House at 7 Hammersmith Terrace and its contents, and promotes the advancement of the study and appreciation of the Arts & Crafts Movement. Download the instructions to make your own Arts & Crafts mobile here.

 

Don’t forget to send a photo of your creations to education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org for your chance to win a sticker book!

 

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Virtual Children’s Summer Fete: John Wesley’s House

Music Makers

Gemma from the Museum of Methodism and John Wesley’s House will be showing us how to make a rattle drum. The inspiration for the activity is Charles Wesley, John’s brother, who along with John was one of the founders of the Methodist Church. Charles was a talented musician and writer, he wrote over 6000 hymns! So, join in and become Music Makers too! If you would rather read the instructions, you can download them here.

Don’t forget to send a photo of your creations to education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org for your chance to win a sticker book!