The Franklin Circle

The Franklin Circle is a community of supporters who value thoughtful history, open dialogue, and meaningful public engagement. Members help sustain the work of Benjamin Franklin House—to explore Franklin’s bold ideas and to examine their continued revelance in an international and contemporary context.

As we mark both the 20th anniversary of the opening of Benjamin Franklin House to the public and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Franklin Circle members support a year of conversations, digital projects, and public programmes that look forward as much as they look back.

What the Franklin Circle supports
Franklin Circle members sustain Benjamin Franklin House’s Semiquincentennial programme: a year of talks, digital projects, scholarly convenings, and moments of public celebration that explore Franklin’s legacy as a thinker, diplomat, and civic innovator.

Programmes during the year include:

• Ink and Independence — A new digital exhibition examining Franklin’s evolution from mediator to revolutionary through his own writings, with contributions from partner institutions in the UK, United States, and France.
• The Benjamin Franklin House Medal for Leadership — Awarded on occasions of outstanding merit to celebrate those who, in the mode of Franklin, lead by example and make significant, lasting contributions across disciplines and geographies.
• Public conversations and anniversary events, including Fourth of July and Thanksgiving moments that connect historical ideas to contemporary civic life.
• Remember the Ladies: Women and Revolution — Benjamin Franklin House’s first academic conference, examining women’s roles in revolutionary movements and their legacies today.
• Expanding interpretation through artistic partnerships, building on recent commissions now on permanent display at the House.

What Franklin Circle members receive
Franklin Circle members stay closely connected to the Semiquincentennial programme and the ideas shaping it. This includes:

• Invitations to a small number of private, invite-only events not open to the general public
• Priority access to major public and ticketed moments during the anniversary year
• An invitation to a private drinks reception with the Chair and Trustees, offering insight into the House’s strategy, the impact of members’ support, and an opportunity to connect with fellow Circle members
• A house hire credit, which may be used towards hosting a private event at Benjamin Franklin House — the historic setting where Franklin lived and conducted his experiments (subject to availability; additional costs may apply)
• Early and behind-the-scenes insight into new programmes, partnerships, and research
• Recognition as part of the community sustaining Benjamin Franklin House’s public and scholarly mission

Circle members help shape how Benjamin Franklin House shares its work with audiences around the world — from digital access to public events.

Membership
Franklin Circle membership is £5,000 per year.