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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.

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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.

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Thanksgiving: The Origin of Tradition and Native Perspective

Join us on Native American Heritage Day to rethink the story and traditions of Thanksgiving.
Hosted by our Graduate Researcher in Residence, Alice Hopkinson.

Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated national holiday that holds an esteemed position in the American cultural conscience and is enshrined in the narrative of the nation’s history. However, for Natives, these narratives are harmful and overlook what the day means to them.

This talk will first discuss the origin of Thanksgiving, and trace its history from the famous ‘First Thanksgiving’ of 1621, through to the present day – looking at how customs, celebrations and perceptions of the holiday have both evolved and developed over time.

Breanna Gruber, a Navajo (Diné) individual who’s home is within the four sacred mountains, known as the Navajo reservation, will then join Alice to present and discuss her own Native perspective on the Thanksgiving holiday and how the traditions and celebrations affect her community.

For an introduction to the event, check out our blog.

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The 2022 US Mid-Term Elections: Will They Make Any Difference?

Wednesday 12 October 2022, 17:30 BST/12:30 ET.
Online and in-person public event (Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building)

Our annual Robert H Smith Lecture in American Democracy will once again be held in partnership with the LSE Department of Government. This year, the lecture will ask Professor Philip Davies, “will the 2022 mid-terms make any difference?”

Philip Davies is Chair of the American Politics Group of the Political Studies Association. He was formerly Director of the British Library’s Eccles Centre for American Studies, is Professor Emeritus at De Montfort University and a Distinguished Fellow at Oxford University’s Rothermere American Institute. He is the architect of the Congress to Campus UK programme that brings former US Members of Congress to meet UK audiences annually each November. He has published on many aspects of US elections and election campaigns and is the main sponsor of the Philip and Rosamund Davies US Elections Archive, housed at the Vere Harmsworth Library, Oxford.

The event is hosted by Pavi Suryanarayan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Government at LSE and moderated by Benjamin Franklin House Director, Márcia Balisciano.

For more information and to sign up, click here.

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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.

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Family Event: Thanksgiving

Join us on Sunday 13 November 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. as we celebrate the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving. You will learn all about this popular event and also learn how to decorate your house to celebrate it!

Uncover the origins of this North American holiday. You will learn all about how Thanksgiving was celebrated through the ages including Benjamin Franklin’s time and find out why turkeys are most commonly associated with it.

Decorate Benjamin Franklin House with your very own hand-crafted Thanksgiving displays for all to see! Together we will create all kinds of Thanksgiving-themed decorations from colourful hand turkeys to hand-made cornucopias and a gratitude tree that visitors to the house will be able to enjoy!

This event is designed primarily for families with children age 5-10. However, all are welcome to take part in the festivities! This is a FREE event, but donations are always warmly welcome.

Book Tickets: HERE

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Family Event: Halloween

Trick or treat! Join us on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th October at Benjamin Franklin House for a fun-filled morning as we explore the history of America’s spookiest holiday and craft some terrifyingly good decorations to take home!

Discover where Halloween comes from and why we celebrate it! Ever wonder why we carve pumpkins, dress up in scary costumes, and eat lots of candy? You’ll learn the answers to these questions and more as we uncover the mysteries behind this frightfully fun festival!

Create your very own Halloween-themed decorations to take home and decoration your coffins with. Glue sticks at the ready! There will be lots of arts and crafts happening throughout the session. Make your very own Halloween card, a garland of ghosts to hang from your rafters, and a wickedly wonderful witch ornament for your window.

This event is most suitable for families with kids ages 5-12. However, everyone is welcome dead or alive! This a FREE event, but donations are most welcome.

Event Times

WEDNESDAY 26th

11am-12:30pm – SOLD OUT

1:30pm-3pm – SOLD OUT

THURSDAY 27th

11am-12:30pm – SOLD OUT

Book Tickets HERE

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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.

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Children’s Summer Fair 2022

This year, Benjamin Franklin House is collaborating with the William Morris Society and Fulham Palace for an exciting Children’s Summer Fair to end the Summer Holidays!

Join us on Saturday 27th August for an exiting day of family friendly activities.

Get stuck in with the range of activities on offer:

  • The William Morris Society will be getting inspired by our latest exhibition on May Morris by recreating her Orange Tree in 3D form and creating beautiful tissue paper flowers.
  • Benjamin Franklin House will be exploring letters from the past with the chance to write your own 18th century letters using quills, ink and parchment!
  • Fulham Palace will be bringing along some mystery objects from the past. Get curious and guess what they are, who used them, and when and where you think they come from. Complete with a chance to get into costume!

The event will be taking place at The William Morris Society, 26 Upper Mall, London, W6 9TA and is FREE! Although we do request that you book tickets to secure a place as there are limited slots available. You can book your tickets here.

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Virtual Talk: Benjamin Franklin and Popular Culture

Thursday 1st September 2022 – 5pm BST/12pm ET

Join our Front of House and Marketing Supervisor, Jessica Eykel, as she explores why and how Franklin has endured within the popular imagination since his death in 1790.

She’ll also attempt to answer that one question on everyone’s mind … ‘where on earth is Franklin in Hamilton?!’