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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOUSE
36 Craven Street, near Charing Cross Station

Although founding father Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts and is most closely associated with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (where he is buried), he also spent 16 years of his life residing at 36 Craven Street in London, the only house he ever lived in that's still standing today!

Franklin did not own this house however. He was a lodger, renting rooms from a widow, Mrs. Margaret Stevenson, with whom he had relationship that was almost akin to husband-wife. Franklin was also fond of Mrs. Stevenson's daughter, Polly, to whom he was like a doting father.

Franklin left London in the spring of 1775, just before the American War for Independence began, never to return. Since then, the Craven Street address (originally no. 7) has been used both as a residence and a place of business.

Today, 36 Craven Street is a museum dedicated to telling the story of Franklin's years in London and a place where you can literally follow in the famous man's footsteps. For information about hours of operation, ticket prices, etc., visit the BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOUSE website.