There’s a lot of history happening throughout Carpenter’s Hall, but one facet of its past is the focal point for an upcoming activation at the historic venue.
2026 is now dubbed the “Year of the Spy” in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s secret meetings with a French spy, Julien-Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir. The moment that took place in a room that still stands on the venue’s second floor laid the foundation for French support of the American Revolution. To celebrate and learn more, locals can partake in a series of activations to close out the year.
“As we kick off America 250, Year of the Spy tells a fact-is-better-than-fiction story of Philly’s favorite Founding Father sneaking around with a French spy to build a crucial allegiance for the coming Revolution,” explains Michael Norris, Executive Director of Carpenters’ Hall. “Carpenters’ Hall is the ‘Room Where It Happened’ and we’re commemorating the 250th anniversary of these secret meetings with partners throughout the city.”
To start, there’s going to be an ongoing book club that features works of history and fiction from the days of the American Revolution through the Cold War. In partnership with the Rosenbach Museum & Library, the first two sessions in November and December have already sold out, but spots are still available for January (27th), February (17th) and March (24th.)
The Hall’s After-Hours Whiskey Tours will also be running throughout November. These small and intimate experiences (attendance caps at 10 people) feature 90 minutes of scotch whiskey tastings and plenty of tidbits on the 1770-built National Historic Landmark.
Other events span a Revolutionary Spy Hunt on Nov. 1, which finishes with a pizza and whiskey tour, and the "Spy Soirée: Bonvouloir Commemoration" event on Dec. 4, featuring a calvados tasting, French-themed nibbles, a dramatic re-telling of secret meetings and more. There will also be a screening of the regional Emmy-nominated film ‘Tête-à-Tête’ on Dec. 11 by Carpenters’ Company member, Charles Cook — part of the film was even shot in the venue.
Just visiting Carpenter’s Hall will also give you some inside history on spies. Charles and Nancy Cook’s book “The Spies at Carpenters' Hall: A Blueprint for a Revolution” is available for purchase, and members of the Carpenters’ Company recently traveled to Normandy to meet with Bonvouloir’s descendants and see his estate’s exhibit about the French Alliance.
Philadelphians can learn about it all, and also the rest of the history happening at the venue — the building and everything it holds is an artifact — by visiting. Locals can also stay tuned for upcoming programming happening for America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.
For a full history of Carpenters' Hall (320 Chestnut St.) and info on upcoming events, visit carpentershall.org
