Benjamin Franklin House

Benjamin Franklin House

In the heart of London is Benjamin Franklin House, the world's only remaining Franklin home. For nearly sixteen years between 1757 and 1775, Dr Benjamin Franklin – scientist, diplomat, philosopher, inventor, Founding Father of the United States and more – lived behind its doors. Built circa 1730, today the house is a dynamic museum and educational facility. The museum opened to the public on 17 January 2006.

36 Craven Street is a Grade I listed property and so retains a number of its original features (include original floorboards, original ceilings, and original staircases) with relatively few later alterations. Current conservation policies emphasise the need for minimal modern interventions.

The "Historical Experience" includes an actor portraying historical characters associated with the house along with dialog, sound, lighting, and special effects. The character used in the "Historical Experience" is Polly Hewson, the daughter of Franklin's landlady who became a "second daughter" to Franklin.

The "Student Science Centre" allows students to re-create experiments from Franklin's sojourn in London. It includes a Medical History Room (focused on the medical research of William Hewson, who did his work from the house for a time), a Discovery Room (containing historical artifacts), and a Demonstration Room (in which students can replicate Franklin's experiments).

The Benjamin Franklin House is open free-of-charge to school visits on Tuesdays. Although designed for key stage 2 students, visits can be tailored for students of all key stages.

The "Scholarship Centre" on the top floor of the House is a centre for study of the many subjects Franklin pursued.

Benjamin Franklin House runs an annual Literary Prize in which people interpret a Benjamin Franklin quote in its significance today.

Venue Category: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Activities provided: 
Exhibitions
Guided Tour
Science
Workshops
Activities for people with SEN/Disabilities: 
No
Curriculum: 
History
Politics
Science
Suitability: 
Key Stage 1 (4-7)
Key Stage 2 (8-11)
Key Stage 3 (12-14)
Key Stage 4 (15-16)
Key Stage 5 (17+)
Residential?: 
No
Overall Rating: 
0
Educational Experience: 
0
Safety: 
0
Fun Factor: 
0
Value for Money: 
0
Venue Address: 
36 Craven Street
London
WC2N 5NF
United Kingdom
Venue Contact Number: 
020 7839 2013 Education Manager

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