Benjamin Franklin House, House museum in Westminster, England
Benjamin Franklin House is a historic house museum in Westminster, England, located in a Georgian four-story townhouse at 36 Craven Street. The rooms preserve original 18th-century elements such as wooden floors, paneled walls, fireplaces, and a replica of Franklin's glass armonica.
Franklin lived in this house from 1757 to 1775 while serving as a representative between the American colonies and the British Parliament. His longest stay abroad shaped his political views and eventually led to his support for American independence.
Visitors watch historical reenactments where an actress portrays Margaret Stevenson, Franklin's landlady, who shares everyday observations about life in Georgian London. Her personal stories bring the household routines and social customs of the period directly to life.
The museum accepts advance bookings for guided tours that run Friday through Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00 throughout the year. Its location near the Thames and Charing Cross Station makes the house easy to reach on foot.
Renovation work uncovered four human skeletons beneath the building, linked to William Hewson's anatomy school that operated during Franklin's residence. Hewson married Franklin's daughter and conducted his research in the basement rooms.
Location: City of Westminster
Inception: 1730s
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Address: 36 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NF
Opening Hours: Friday-Sunday 12:00-17:00
Website: https://benjaminfranklinhouse.org
GPS coordinates: 51.50760,-0.12490
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28
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