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Polymath Festival with Benjamin Franklin House

Benjamin Franklin was the archetypical Enlightenment polymath. Known to most as a Founding Father of the United States, he also made many intellectual, institutional and social contributions as a celebrated publisher, entrepreneur, writer, philosopher, scientist, inventor, diplomat and statesman.

As part of the Polymath Festival, Benjamin Franklin House stages an immersive virtual tour of the world’s only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin to tell the rich story of Benjamin Franklin’s 16 polymathic years in London.

Ultimately, the tour begs a fundamental question: what can Franklin’s approach to life and work teach us today?

Learn more about the Polymath Festival here.

 

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Holiday Fair

Wednesday, 11 December 2019, 12pm – 5pm

Join us for an afternoon of festive cheer with beautiful gifts and mulled wine at the world’s only surviving Franklin home.

Entry £3 

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2019 Robert H Smith Lecture in Democracy: Why Heritage Matters?

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.

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Emerge Festival

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

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Virtual Talk: Franklin the Innovator

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

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Family Day: Toys in Franklin’s Time

Family Day: Toys in Franklin’s Time

Tuesday 30 July, 10.30am-12.30pm

Join us to learn how children passed their time 300 years ago with Georgian toys and games. Design and create some your own traditional toys to take away.

Suitable for children aged 5-11

Free – To book email education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

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Family Day: Children’s Christmas Party

Family Day: Children’s Christmas Party

Saturday 30 November, 10.30am-12.30pm

Children will discover the magic of the holiday – 18th century style. Sing along to festive classics like Jingle Bells with accompaniment on the glass armonica, the instrument Franklin invented at Craven Street. Enjoy holiday treats and deck the halls with Christmas crafts to make and take home! 

Suitable for children aged 5-11  

Free – book your tickets here      

Email education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org for more information. 

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Family Day: Halloween at Benjamin Franklin House

Tuesday 26 October 2021, 11am-12.30pm. Book your free tickets here.

Children will learn all about about the historic origins of Halloween. They’ll travel back in time to meet Polly Hewson, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin’s landlady, to hear some ghoulishly good Hallowe’en stories followed by gruesome games and crafts.

Most suitable for ages 5-11.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions:

  • We are limiting bookings to 15 people so please book a ticket for each adult and child attending
  • Activities will take place in a well-ventilated historic space with hand sanitiser and sanitising wipes available
  • All staff and adult visitors are encouraged to wear a face covering

For more information, please contact our Education Manager.

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Museum Lates – Craven Street Bones

Museum Lates – Craven Street Bones

Thursday 28 October, 5pm – 8pm

Explore the darker side of the 18th century pursuit of knowledge with the team at Benjamin Franklin House. As you make your way through our Grade I, Georgian building, you’ll discover why over 1200 bones were unearthed in the basement. Drink and spooky nibbles included.

£10/per person – Purchase tickets via Eventbrite here 

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Festive Candlelit Tours

Festive Candlelit Tours

Thursday 2 December 2021, 4pm – 8pm GMT

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.

£10/per person – Purchase tickets online via Eventbrite here