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.
Dr Nicholas Cole is a Senior Research Fellow at Pembroke College, Oxford University, who specialises in the political thought of early America and the creation of America’s political institutions. He leads the Quill Project, an interdisciplinary project which studies the processes of negotiation that created America’s political system. Their flagship project is a digital model of the 1787 Constitutional Convention, which provides an opportunity to reassess the importance of Franklin’s role in the creation of the American Federal System.
Wednesday 17 October, 6.30pm
Book your free tickets via eventbrite
Benjamin Franklin questioned the world around him. Join us to investigate the world around us and learn why different materials act the way they do!
We will be exploring slime and bubbles, you can even take home your own homemade bubble wand.
Most suitable for 5-11 year olds but younger siblings are welcome.
Tuesday 21 August, 11am
Book your free space via eventbrite.
Franklin & Grant: Americans Against Slavery
2018 Benjamin Franklin House Robert H. Smith Lecture in American Democracy- Dr. Márcia Balisciano, Director, Benjamin Franklin House
Franklin and Grant, two American historical figures not traditionally linked, traversed similar paths to fervent antislavery conviction, both of whom left an important imprint on American democracy.
The last public role of 18th century entrepreneur, author, scientist, diplomat and nation builder, Benjamin Franklin, was President of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery (1789- 1790). Franklin made a trajectory from acceptance to outspoken opponent of slavery by the end of his life. He rallied against abhorrent inhumanity for the enslaved and forecast a terrible toll for the new United States, a prediction borne out by the American Civil War (1861-1865).
Brilliant military general and eventual President, Ulysses S. Grant, traversed similar ground on the question of slavery. Though born into an anti-slavery family, he was initially apathetic, marrying into a slave-holding Southern family, but came to see moral purpose in perhaps his greatest role, as victor in the war that restored the American union.
Dr. Márcia Balisciano, historian and founding director of Benjamin Franklin House, will show the connections between two American leaders who left an indelible mark on modern America.
Thursday 4 October
Tickets to be booked through the Eccles Centre for American Studies, British Library
More details to follow
Join us to investigate the traditions of tea drinking from the Georgian period, learn about social gatherings and coffee houses where Benjamin Franklin frequently visited. Here you can make and take home your own tea cup.
Most suitable for 7-11 year olds but younger siblings are welcome.
Book free via Eventbrite.
Benjamin Franklin was a prolific inventor and a lover of music, inventing the glass armonica. Join us to explore his process of invention and create your own instruments to take home.
Tuesday 28th May 10.30am-12.30pm.
Most suitable for children aged 5-11.
Book via eventbrite.
In the run up to American Independence Day, Dr. Simon Werret will explore fireworks in Benjamin Franklin’s time, highlighting the differences and similarities between celebrating with in 18th century Britain and America. Simon will reveal how Franklin’s famous electricity experiments are connected to the history of fireworks.
Thursday June 28, 6.30pm
Book tickets via eventbrite
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
An American Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings will take place at magnificent Clothworkers’ Hall. Roast turkey (and stuffing and vegetables and of course pumpkin pie) will be a highlight. Franklin, in addition to suggesting the turkey become one of America’s national symbols, practised cooking it as part of his early work on electricity.
Thursday 28 November, 7.30pm
Tickets: £90/Adults £50/Children
Further details or to book email info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org
At a time when there seem to be few fixed points on the political landscape it might seem that election results at least can provide fixed points from which to look at the current and potential future of party politics in the USA. Philip Davies- Professor Emeritus of American Studies, De Montfort University and Former Director, Eccles Centre for American Studies, The British Library- will reflect on the lessons that can be taken from the US elections of Tuesday 6th November and whether they provide a reasonable lens through which to look forward to 2020.
Wednesday 14 November, 6.30pm
£6/per person
Books tickets via eventbrite
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