The Ben Franklin Center provides health information and educational programming to patients, health care professionals, students and community members. Our highly qualified and experienced staff provide an environment for learning and collaboration through a combination of on-site meetings and distance education.
Located in the scenic Western Maine mountain region, we are a convenient choice for any gathering. Many community members, nonprofit local agencies, and state and national organizations have chosen the Ben Franklin Center as their host for meetings, conferences and seminars. Our spacious and attractive meeting rooms offer comfort and modern technology. Staff members are here to assist with every phase of your event to ensure the highest level of satisfaction.
Contact Us
Ben Franklin Center
111 Franklin Health Commons
Farmington, ME 04938
Director: 207-779-2451
Education Services Coordinator: 207-779-2381
Our onsite Healthy Heart Café located on the ground floor offers hot and cold meals, sandwiches, salads, snacks and beverages Monday-Friday from 8-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Several vending machines with beverages, sandwiches, and snacks are also located in the Healthy Heart Café and available 24/7.
You may choose to purchase meals from our outside preapproved caterers who prepare and deliver food for meetings and events. All participants requiring food or beverages must select one of our preapproved caterers in order to ensure that all health, safety, property and insurance requirements are met.
Approved Outside Catering Services
- Sodexo Dining Services at University of Maine at Farmington
- Calzolaio Pasta Co., Wilton http://www.calzolaiopasta.com/
- The Homestead Bakery, Farmington http://www.homesteadbakery.com
- LaFleur's Restaurant, Jay
The Ben Franklin Center is the ideal location for any gathering, large or small. We have five adjacent conference rooms of varying sizes to accommodate all of your needs. Whether you are planning a small event, meeting, or conference, our staff will gladly customize rooms to meet your requirements. Each room is equipped with wireless Internet connectivity using the Center's public-use laptop computers, and available for satellite broadcasts and computer classes.
Crosby Room
The Crosby Room is equipped with an electronic touch-pad to control projection equipment; accommodates projection of slides, videoconferencing, overhead transparencies, and PowerPoint presentations. This room is also available for Satellite broadcasts and computers classes. Fifteen participants can be seated in this room.
The Crosby room highlights the life of Cornelia Crosby who was born in Phillips, ME. In 1987, the honor of receiving the first Maine guiding license went to “Fly Rod” as she was affectionately known. She also was Maine's first public-relations genius, arranging an elaborate hunting display at the First Annual Sportsmen's Show in New York City, starring herself, rifle in hand and wearing a doeskin skirt. Her sensational appearance at the show, together with the popularity of her syndicated column, Fly Rod’s Note Book, helped attract thousands of eager would-be outdoorsmen (and women), to the woods and streams of Maine.
Allen Room
The Allen Room is equipped with control projection equipment; accommodates projection of slides, videoconferencing, overhead transparencies, and PowerPoint presentations. This room is available for satellite broadcasts and computer classes. Fifteen participants can be seated in this room.
The Allen Room highlights the life of Elizabeth Akers Allen. Allen, who was born in Strong, ME, was an accomplished writer, journalist, and newspaper editor. Her first book of poetry, Forest Buds from the Woods of Maine, was well received and the earnings allowed her to travel to Europe, where she later penned her best-known poem, Rock Me to Sleep, Mother. The poem was published in the Saturday Evening Post and in her second book, Poems, in 1866.
Chisholm Conference Room
The Chisholm room features a state of the art podium (equipped with a computer, DVD player, Internet access, VCR, document camera, audiocassette and CD player) and includes an electronic touch-pad system to control lights, projectors, video/audio conferencing equipment, and projection screens. The room is equipped for slide, document, video, and PowerPoint projection, as well as audio and video conferencing. The Chisholm room seats 25 people.
G.H.Bass Room
Our largest room, the G.H. Bass, is a multi-purpose room with a high tech podium that includes a computer, cable TV, DVD player, Internet access, VCR, document camera, audiocassette and CD player appropriate for a variety of uses. The podium also includes an electronic touch-pad system to control lights, window shades, projector, video /audio conferencing equipment, and projection screen. This room also has a built-in stage and stage lighting. Up to one hundred and fifty people can be seated in this room.
Adjacent to the G.H. Bass is an outdoor patio with a beautifully landscaped waterfall and gazebo.
The Ben Franklin Center encourages individuals and organizations to make the most of their event by incorporating the latest technological resources. Wireless Internet is available throughout the Center. Additionally, audio visual resources (LCD projectors, document cameras, laptop computers, podiums, microphones, etc.) are available to assist with meetings, training sessions, presentations or other activities. Our education department can you with help with set up.
Interactive Video Conferencing
You can meet face-to-face with your colleagues to conduct meetings, courses, or seminars without traveling across the state or country. You can see, hear and converse with others located hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Communication between sites is two-way and interactive.
Audio Conferencing
Audio conferencing is an easy, fast and affordable way to meet with your colleagues without leaving the State of Maine. Audio conferencing allows you to have a telephone conference call involving several people in different locations.
Laptop Computers
Laptop computers are available for instructional use within the Center. All laptop computers will be loaded with Microsoft Windows Professional,™which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer. Any additional software programs need to be pre-approved and will be installed prior to your program by our experienced Information Systems Department.
Satellite Programming
A wide variety of professional programs are available for live feed via satellite. We can also arrange to be the download site for your satellite program.
From the South
Take the Maine Turnpike (I-95) North to Auburn, Exit 75 – follow Route 4 to Farmington (45mi). Continue 4 miles after the merge of Route 4 and Route 2. Franklin Health Commons is on the left side at the first traffic light, at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 133.
From the North
Take I-95 South to Newport, Exit 157 – follow Route 2 West to Farmington. Take a left onto Main Street in Farmington at the traffic light (Route 4/Route 2) and continue for about 4 miles. Franklin Health Commons is on the right at the third traffic light, at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 133.
From the West
Take Route 4 and continue 4 miles after the merge of Route 4 and Route 2. Franklin Health Commons is on the left side at the first traffic light, at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 133.
From the East
Take Route 27 North to Belgrade from Exit 112 (34mi). Take a left onto Main Street in Farmington at the traffic light (Route 4/Route 2) and continue for about 4 miles. Franklin Health Commons is on the right at the third traffic light, at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 133.