The Franklin Inn Club is open to members from 10am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, closed July and August, and the week between Christmas an New Year’s day.
Guests may visit the clubhouse by pre-arrangement with a member.

   

      Welcome to The Franklin Inn Club website.  By using the various tabs above, you may read about our History, Events and Past Events, Membership information, Club Government, Clubhouse Rental rates, and you may visit the many links to the Reciprocal Clubs, Benjamin Franklin related organizations, and other local cultural and writer’s organizations. Club members are invited to use the meal reservation form and the Reciprocal Club reservation form. 

      In the past two years our Board of Directors has tackled reforms of the Club Bylaws, established this website, and succeeded in fund raising for upgrades of HVAC systems. We are designing new programs and increasing attendance; also streamlining the membership nomination process while seeking qualified and inspiring new members. We have reviewed all physical plant systems, called committees to action, documented collections and updated policies.    

      Our programs, as our members, represent a marvelous cross section of cultural interests. And in the spirit of our early club members, we are excited to announce that we have recently established a Theater-in-Residence program with the Philadelphia Artist’ Collective (PAC).  Four “Workshops” will be presented throughout the season: Monday, October 17 @ 6:00 PM, Monday, December 12 @ 6:00 PM, Monday, January 16, 2012 @ 6:00 PM, and Monday, April 30, 2012 (dinner @ 6:00, and free discussion at 7 PM) are all open to the public (reservations may be made at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/205053 )

      Old Ben Franklin would be right at home here! In addition to regular presentations by outstanding members of the Philadelphia Cultural community, our members enjoy something quite unique to the world of private clubs, and very exciting to behold: we engage in regular, balanced discussion of hot topics, with all political points of view represented. All current and former members are invited to visit the Clubhouse, and guests may use the Contact Us tab, above, or call the Clubhouse at 215-732-0334 to arrange for a tour. We welcome all inquiries.

Wesley D. Parrott, President

 

Lunch is served every weekday, except for Post Office holidays, and the week after Christmas. Weekly lunch programs include Thursday Roundtable Luncheons featuring a guest discussion leader and Monday Quarterback Luncheons, where a Club member (or Innmate) moderates a lively conversation on current news topics.  There are also Evening Roundtable Dinners based on the Thursday lunch model, occasional Significant Issues Events featuring discussions based on timely reading material and a new Theater-in-Residence program with the Philadelphia Artist’ Collective (PAC), hearkening back to the early days when our founding members wrote and produced their own plays.

There are at least two monthly dinners. At one, between cocktails and dinner, a member or guest speaks on a topic of interest. Occasional informal after-work events include wine tastings, exceptional film nights and cocktail receptions. Because these events are well attended, reservations are required for every meal, to be made two days in advance.

    Two highlights of the Franklin Inn calendar are the Club annual celebrations. The Holiday Luncheon is held a week or so before Christmas and always features readings or presentations by Inn members. The Club annual dinner is known as the J. William White Dinner, in honor of the distinguished medical doctor (and duelist) whose bequest once paid for the meal. The J. William White Dinner is held as near Benjamin Franklin’s birthday (January 17th) as possible, and is preceded by the Club annual business meeting and a cocktail reception. During the dinner, three traditional champagne toasts are raised: one to Benjamin Franklin; one to the Inn’s first President, S. Weir Mitchell; and one to the colorful Dr. White. Along with the art of conversation, that of toasting is still practiced and esteemed at the Inn.