A look inside Ben Franklin House in London as America hits 250 years

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]So, Benjamin Franklin, he comes to London and he pretty much immediately finds this place, 36 Craven Street. He's a lodger here. He stays here for 16 years. Initially, it's only supposed to be 6 months, and that's to sort with the Penns, but because he then becomes essentially an ambassador, he extends his trip to 16 years talking on behalf of American interests [music] and trying to keep that union going, keep the relationship strong between Britain and America. Americans [music] who come to visit often don't know that Franklin lived here or that he played such an important role in the build-up to the American Revolution as well as the independence [music] movement itself.

[00:00:35]And it stands as a symbol of the special relationship. We often talk about how this is the first de facto US Embassy anywhere [music] in the world, and this is where that special relationship pretty much grew from. I think looking back at the [music] last 250 years, Franklin would be impressed at the relationship is still [music] going.

[00:00:52]He'd be pleased with how Britain and America have stood side by side in many conflicts since the American Revolution.

[00:01:00]There are actually a number of statues around London that were given by the people of America to celebrate this special [music] relationship. And I think Franklin would be really proud of that.