Carpenters’ Hall is known for showing locals and tourists alike plenty of slices of history. And with the venue’s two latest events, two popular past figures will be celebrated and brought to life.
First up this weekend, the Hall will be celebrating Benjamin Franklin’s 319th birthday with a day packed with activities meant to celebrate the legacy of Founding Father. On Jan. 17, the morning will start off with a free seminar at the Franklin Hall of the American Philosophical Society (427 Chestnut St., 9 a.m.), moderated by Dr. Derrick Pitts (Chief Astronomer at The Franklin Institute Science Museum.)
The program will then be followed by a public procession to Benjamin Franklin’s grave. The day will continue on with a ticketed luncheon held at the Museum of the American Revolution (101 S. 3rd Street) which includes a presentation by the 2025 Franklin Founder Honoree Dr. John C. Mather, Senior Scientist, Cosmology at NASA.
The theme for this year’s event is “Exploring New Worlds” with a focus on astronomy and astrophysics. Tickets for the luncheon ($100+) are available now via Eventbrite.
Later this winter, Carpenters’ Hall has also added a brand new experience to its agenda. On Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, at 3:30 p.m., visitors can enjoy an afternoon tea with Dolley Todd Madison (wife of James Madison.) For $85 per person, Philadelphians can try different sweet and savory treats (vegetarian and gluten-free options available) while Madison herself will walk around to describe the role tea played in the colonial economy (and in the American Revolution itself). Carpenters’ Hall’s rarely seen historic six-piece silver tea service will also be on display while there.
And finally on Feb. 25, another tea-focused affair will take place. Carpenters’ Hall will host an event at The Rosenbach Museum & Library (2008-2010 Delancey Street) at 1:30 p.m. (separate ticket required). There, visitors will see historic, handwritten documents and artworks that explore the global connections forged from the European tea market in the 1600s and 1700s, as well as the role tea played in the cultural history of the British Empire.
Tickets for the tea events are available via Eventbrite. For more information on the events at Carpenters’ Hall (320 Chestnut Street), visit carpentershall.org
