The Junto, also known as the Leather Apron Club, was a club for mutual improvement established in 1727 by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. The Leather Apron Club's purpose was to debate questions of morals, politics, and natural philosophy, and to exchange knowledge of business affairs.

The Athenaeum's newly formed Franklin Club was created with this mind. Please join us on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Sawtelle Reading Room. We loosely follow the list of questions from Ben Franklin’s club, and generally chat and share thoughts about current matters of life and town in a casual manner. The Franklin Club is a great opportunity to bring new members or potential new members who are looking for an opportunity to socialize and get to know other folks that are part of the Athenaeum.