Benjamin Franklin House

As part of the Festival of Archaeology come along and search for the Bones in the Basement. Become an archaeologist fo rhte morning and help uncover the history of Benjamin Franklin House. Suitable for 8-11 year olds but younger siblings are welcome.

Suitable for

• 7-10

Admission

Free with booking. Donations welcome

Website

http://bonesinthebasement.eventbrite.com?s=73380941

At Benjamin Franklin House, we have been working with the children's illustrator Kremena Dimitrova to create new illuminations for visiting school children. During this workshop, you will be inspired by Kremena's work to create your own collages relating to Benjamin Franklin House, with the opportunity to work directly with Kremena.

Suitable for

• 5-6
• 7-10

Admission

Free (Donations Welcome)

When not looking at the world through his spectacles, Franklin was corresponding
with their makers. He claimed they helped him to understand foreign languages
and attract the opposite sex. Neil Handley, from the museum at the College of
Optometrists, will open our eyes to this contradictory and controversial facet of
Franklin’s many scientific and business interests.

Admission

£8/£5.50 Friends and Concessions

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.

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

Free – half-hourly tours run on a first come first served basis
Donations welcome

Using exciting science demos, Gemma Smith, Education Manager, will explore how one of Franklin’s most iconic inventions, the Lightning Rod, came about. She will also reveal the personal and political rivalries Franklin faced to get his invention installed throughout London and beyond.

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

£8/£5.50 Friends and Concessions

Website

http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org

In 1997, a chance discovery during conservation sparked an investigation at Benjamin Franklin House: how did human skeletal remains of up to 10 individuals come to be buried under the basement floor? Operations Manager, Beth Ward, will explore the answer to this question and reveal the darker side of the 18th century’s pursuit of knowledge.

Suitable for

• 11-13
• 7-10
• 14-15
• 16-17
• 18+

Admission

£8/£5.50 Friends and Concessions

Website

http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org

George Goodwin, our Author in Residence, explores Franklin’s life in the heaving metropolis of 18th century London, his friendship Joseph Priestley and Francis Dashwood, his political cooperation with Prime Ministers William Pitt the Elder and the Marquess of Rockingham, and his final antagonism with “mangling ministers”.

LOCATION: The British Library Conference Centre, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB

Suitable for

• 14-15
• 16-17
• 18+

Admission

Booking via the British Library from 1 Sept: 01937546546 and www.bl.uk

Website

http://www.bl.co.uk

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.

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

£90 adults/£50 children

Website

http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org

Celebrate the festive season with friends of the House and our Craven Street neighbours.  In the great British holiday tradition, enjoy a mince pie, and a glass or two of homemade mulled wine!

Suitable for

• Any age