historical house, museum
Henry Flitcroft, 1730
36 Craven Street, WC2N 5NF
Just steps from Trafalgar Square, is Benjamin Franklin House, the world's only remaining Franklin home. For nearly sixteen years between 1757 and 1775, Benjamin Franklin – scientist, diplomat, philosopher, inventor, and Founding Father of the United States – lived behind its doors. Built circa 1730, we are a Grade I listed house, with largely original flooring and wall paneling.
Embankment, Charing Cross
Charing Cross
11, 13, 15, 176, 23, 77, 91
Parking is limited. We urge visitors to use public transport. Floors and stairs are uneven. Restrooms are downstairs in the basement.
36 Craven Street is exceptional, given that it retains a high degree of authentic features with relatively few later alterations.
Such authentic features of the House include original stairs, floorboards, ceilings, and fireplaces. This 1730s terraced building survived war, weather, and busy Victorians, making it a place where you can step back into London’s past!
During Franklin's time in London, 36 Craven Street served as the first de facto US Embassy, earning the House a special place in Anglo-American history. Combined with Benjamin Franklin's long residence, the House is of special cultural importance, reflected by its Grade l status.
Join us to explore the architectural features of the House, along with its fascinating history, which includes Franklin’s long residence (1757-1775), the Hewson anatomy school, and the comprehensive conservation project that saved it from dereliction!
This is a drop-in open day, so there is no need to pre-book.
Printed self-guided booklet are available by donation.
To compliment the printed guide, you can also download the Bloomberg Connects app, which will reveal a behind-the-scenes peek of Franklin's life in London. Via the app, you can also explore historic features not normally seen by the public, an extensive catalogue of virtual lectures on topics related to Benjamin Franklin, 18th-century life, and our Virtual Georgian Interior, a digital flythrough the building showing how it would have looked in Franklin’s day.
Though built as a lodging house (Franklin was the tenant of Margaret Stevenson, though was said to be less a lodger than head of household during his long tenure), in the 19th and 20th centuries, the building was used as a hotel and as a base for several non-profit groups.
By the 1980s, when the Friends of Benjamin Franklin House were granted the freehold to 36 Craven Street from the British Government, the property was in dire condition. The management team and numerous organisations and volunteers have worked tirelessly to realise a dynamic museum and educational facility that highlights the timeless relevance of Benjamin Franklin and the tumultuous times in which he lived.
By October 1998, essential structural repairs were completed. The work included the installation of a steel support beam, tuckpointing of stress-cracked brick corners, and steel channels installed vertically and diagonally for stabilisation. The period panelling was preserved and reinstated.
Support included grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.
Drop in
institution/profession, historical house
A very good example of Georgian/Adam architecture. Restoration 2012 of Great Room (James Barry paintings), Benjamin Franklin room. 2019, restoration and installation of 1754-2018 mural in the Long Gallery.
Adam Brothers, 1774
