Benjamin Franklin House - Architectural Tour

Benjamin Franklin House is the last remaining former home of polymathic Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. With many original features and a number of artefacts relating to its most famous inhabitant, the museum is viewable on a guided architectural tour.

The Architectural tour explores the Georgian features of house, along with its fascinating history encompassing Franklin’s long residence (1757-1775), the Hewson anatomy school, and the comprehensive conservation project that saved it from dereliction.

36 Craven Street was built in the 1730s. In 1757, Benjamin Franklin arrived in London as an agent for the Pennsylvania Assembly and took up residence at the home on Craven Street. Ostensibly in London as a colonial diplomat, his polymathic interests and abilities took him far beyond his original remit whilst resident at 36 Craven Street. He developed his glass armonica instrument, ran multiple experiments on diverse subjects and wrote pamphlets, articles, historically significant letters and even the beginnings of his autobiography at the home. He departed for America in 1775, becoming one of the Founding Fathers of the United States upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

During the 20th Century, the home was turned into a hotel and space for non-profit organisations. The Friends of Benjamin Franklin House were granted the freehold to 36 Craven Street at the end of the century and had a large renovation job on their hands. During the building work, bones from multiple human and animal bodies were found under the floor of the home. Eventually, these were explained as remnants from a small anatomy school run by William Hewson, the son-in-law of Franklin’s landlady.

Benjamin Franklin House opened to the public on 17th January 2006, Franklin’s 300th birthday.

Seminar Room

Built where the building’s garden once lay, it was under the Seminar Room that bones from 10 different individuals were discovered in 1998. Known as the Craven Street Bones, they are the remnants of a small anatomy school run on the premises by William Hewson, son-in-law of Franklin’s landlady, Margaret Stevenson. Hewson would have been dissecting the bodies in secret, given the legal issues that remained regarding the use of human bodies for such purposes. However, it is believed that Franklin likely knew of the practice.

Special events

Benjamin Franklin House regularly puts on special events. These include talks on all manner of subjects, candlelit tours, seasonal activities, kids days and much more. Check the official website for more details.