July 4, 1776. America literally started in Philadelphia. Most Philadelphians under appreciate this significance and the uniqueness of our city's historical core. Instead of history being a defining feature of Philadelphia life it's dismissed. Whether this attitude comes from trudging through the sites during elementary school class trips or viewing the sites as "something tourists do" - Philadelphians miss out on the city's defining characteristic and what should be a major selling point to the rest of the country and the world. We have an amazing asset and haven't learned how to "monetize" it. Philadelphia should be a pilgrimage style site for any American Patriot.
While Independence Hall may be the spiritual center of colonial Philadelphia, geographical it's a little West of center relative to the rest of the sites. Two blocks away is Franklin Court, which contains a museum and print shop, stands in the footprint of Ben Franklin's house.
Across Chestnut Street is Carpenter's Hall, which hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774. In the immediate vicinity are the First and Second Bank of the United States - again, literally the First and Second Bank. Down 2nd Street is City Tavern, the most genteel tavern in America, at least according to John Adams. A few blocks north on 2nd Street is Christ Church where George Washington would join Ben Franklin for Sunday mass when he was in town. Across Arch Street is Elfreth's Alley, the oldest, continuously inhabited street in America. Back West along Arch is Betsy Ross's house, where the first American flag was sewn (art least according to Philadelphians).
Bookending these historical sites are two new museums - the Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
It's a tremendous collection of Americana, unrivaled by any other city. Yet according to WalletHub, Philadelphia is the fifteenth best place to celebrate the Fourth of July, behind such historical patriotic behemoths like Scottsdale, AZ, Dallas, and Atlanta. It's not because of a lack of events - Wawa sponsors a week long celebration with free museum openings and events culminating with a star headlining concert and fireworks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It's from a lack of appreciation and "selling" of Philadelphia as the 4th of July City.
Subpage on the American Revolutionary War:
While Independence Hall may be the spiritual center of colonial Philadelphia, geographical it's a little West of center relative to the rest of the sites. Two blocks away is Franklin Court, which contains a museum and print shop, stands in the footprint of Ben Franklin's house.
Across Chestnut Street is Carpenter's Hall, which hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774. In the immediate vicinity are the First and Second Bank of the United States - again, literally the First and Second Bank. Down 2nd Street is City Tavern, the most genteel tavern in America, at least according to John Adams. A few blocks north on 2nd Street is Christ Church where George Washington would join Ben Franklin for Sunday mass when he was in town. Across Arch Street is Elfreth's Alley, the oldest, continuously inhabited street in America. Back West along Arch is Betsy Ross's house, where the first American flag was sewn (art least according to Philadelphians).
Bookending these historical sites are two new museums - the Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
It's a tremendous collection of Americana, unrivaled by any other city. Yet according to WalletHub, Philadelphia is the fifteenth best place to celebrate the Fourth of July, behind such historical patriotic behemoths like Scottsdale, AZ, Dallas, and Atlanta. It's not because of a lack of events - Wawa sponsors a week long celebration with free museum openings and events culminating with a star headlining concert and fireworks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It's from a lack of appreciation and "selling" of Philadelphia as the 4th of July City.
Subpage on the American Revolutionary War:
INDEPENDENCE HALL AND THE LIBERTY BELL
I've visited Independence Hall too many times to count. I remember being a kid and playing tag on the upper level. For a couple of years my dad worked at the nearby Bourse Building. There was a "park" in front of Independence Hall with benches that the homeless used as beds. I remember the Liberty Bell being displayed in a crummy, shack of a building. Pre 9/11 you could walk all around the outside of Independence Hall. Today there's barriers. I lived at 6th and Lombard and ran past Independence Hall on morning jogs.
Independence Hall is Philadelphia and the country's best attraction. This is where America was born. What else could top the list? Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. It's where the Articles of Confederation were signed. It's also where the U.S. Constitution was written. Unfortunately none of these documents are on display in Philadelphia.
It's best to visit Independence Hall in the morning and to plan in advance by reserving tickets at the NPS Site. (***The site does not take reservations in January and February, so if you search for these dates, the site will say no tickets are available. Tickets are available, you will just need to obtain them in person.***) Tickets are free, however, there is a $1.50 per ticket booking fee. Tickets can be picked up at the Independence Visitor Center on the corner of 6th and Market. The tour lasts about 30-40 minutes. There's a ten minute introduction with historical background and another ten minutes in both the courtroom and the legislative room. Photography is allowed inside. Before or after the tour you are free to roam around the complex.
The Liberty Bell doesn't require time tickets and as a result, depending upon the date and time, it can be either a serene or hectic experience. Several displays provide historical context and explain how, an otherwise plain object, came to be a symbol of liberty.
I've visited Independence Hall too many times to count. I remember being a kid and playing tag on the upper level. For a couple of years my dad worked at the nearby Bourse Building. There was a "park" in front of Independence Hall with benches that the homeless used as beds. I remember the Liberty Bell being displayed in a crummy, shack of a building. Pre 9/11 you could walk all around the outside of Independence Hall. Today there's barriers. I lived at 6th and Lombard and ran past Independence Hall on morning jogs.
Independence Hall is Philadelphia and the country's best attraction. This is where America was born. What else could top the list? Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. It's where the Articles of Confederation were signed. It's also where the U.S. Constitution was written. Unfortunately none of these documents are on display in Philadelphia.
It's best to visit Independence Hall in the morning and to plan in advance by reserving tickets at the NPS Site. (***The site does not take reservations in January and February, so if you search for these dates, the site will say no tickets are available. Tickets are available, you will just need to obtain them in person.***) Tickets are free, however, there is a $1.50 per ticket booking fee. Tickets can be picked up at the Independence Visitor Center on the corner of 6th and Market. The tour lasts about 30-40 minutes. There's a ten minute introduction with historical background and another ten minutes in both the courtroom and the legislative room. Photography is allowed inside. Before or after the tour you are free to roam around the complex.
The Liberty Bell doesn't require time tickets and as a result, depending upon the date and time, it can be either a serene or hectic experience. Several displays provide historical context and explain how, an otherwise plain object, came to be a symbol of liberty.
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FRANKLIN COURT
322 Market Street
With apologies to Rocky Balboa, Ben Franklin is Philadelphia's most famous resident. Franklin was a printer. An inventor. A statesman. A postmaster. An all-around Renaissance man and quote machine. Franklin Court has several attractions including a museum dedicated to Franklin's life ($5 admission), a Postal Service Museum, and an old fashioned printing press. The museum chronicles Franklin's life and contributions. It's a bit overwhelming to see everything he did laid out in one exhibit after another. The only person who challenges Franklin on his list of accomplishments is Thomas Edison, although it was Franklin who "discovered" electricity. The museum does a good job of combing historical facts and humorous anecdotes.
In the center of Franklin Court is a skeletal recreation of where Franklin's house once stood.
322 Market Street
With apologies to Rocky Balboa, Ben Franklin is Philadelphia's most famous resident. Franklin was a printer. An inventor. A statesman. A postmaster. An all-around Renaissance man and quote machine. Franklin Court has several attractions including a museum dedicated to Franklin's life ($5 admission), a Postal Service Museum, and an old fashioned printing press. The museum chronicles Franklin's life and contributions. It's a bit overwhelming to see everything he did laid out in one exhibit after another. The only person who challenges Franklin on his list of accomplishments is Thomas Edison, although it was Franklin who "discovered" electricity. The museum does a good job of combing historical facts and humorous anecdotes.
In the center of Franklin Court is a skeletal recreation of where Franklin's house once stood.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE
6th and Walnut - Southwest of Independence Hall
On sunny days, I walked through Washington Square on the way home from work. It's always had a soft spot in my heart as Philadelphia's "forgotten" square. Rittenhouse Square gets all the love but Washington Square has all the history. During the Revolutionary War the square served as a burial ground - every time I walked home I was walking through history. In the center of the square is a fountain and two the west is a monument with a statue of Washington and a great quote: "Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness". Talula's Garden is across 7th Street and a good place to grab a coffee. I've always like the homes off the southwest corner of the square.
6th and Walnut - Southwest of Independence Hall
On sunny days, I walked through Washington Square on the way home from work. It's always had a soft spot in my heart as Philadelphia's "forgotten" square. Rittenhouse Square gets all the love but Washington Square has all the history. During the Revolutionary War the square served as a burial ground - every time I walked home I was walking through history. In the center of the square is a fountain and two the west is a monument with a statue of Washington and a great quote: "Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness". Talula's Garden is across 7th Street and a good place to grab a coffee. I've always like the homes off the southwest corner of the square.
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Other Historical Buildings
Independence Hall isn't the only historic building in Old City. Heading east on Chestnut Street is a series of other buildings with historical significance. One block east is the Second Bank of the United States. Literally the United States' Second Bank. One block over via either Chestnut Street or the cobblestone pathway behind the bank (my preferred route) is Carpenter's Hall. Carpenter's Hall was a guild for...carpenters...but the building survives today because it was also the site of the First Continental Congress. Admission to the Hall is free and there are a few historical artifacts inside. Down another cobblestone pathway is the First Bank of the United States. Literally the United States' First Bank.
Independence Hall isn't the only historic building in Old City. Heading east on Chestnut Street is a series of other buildings with historical significance. One block east is the Second Bank of the United States. Literally the United States' Second Bank. One block over via either Chestnut Street or the cobblestone pathway behind the bank (my preferred route) is Carpenter's Hall. Carpenter's Hall was a guild for...carpenters...but the building survives today because it was also the site of the First Continental Congress. Admission to the Hall is free and there are a few historical artifacts inside. Down another cobblestone pathway is the First Bank of the United States. Literally the United States' First Bank.
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Betsy Ross House
Betsy Ross ran what may be the most famous upholstery business in the history of the United States. As the legend goes she created the first United States flag. We owe the five point stars to her because they were easier to cut and sew than a six pointed star. Today the Ross house is open to the public with a $5 admission fee. Inside, the house has been restored and decorated in period pieces. A few re-enactors, including Betsy herself, provide a history lesson to the guests.
Betsy Ross ran what may be the most famous upholstery business in the history of the United States. As the legend goes she created the first United States flag. We owe the five point stars to her because they were easier to cut and sew than a six pointed star. Today the Ross house is open to the public with a $5 admission fee. Inside, the house has been restored and decorated in period pieces. A few re-enactors, including Betsy herself, provide a history lesson to the guests.
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Christ Church
On Sunday mornings Ben Franklin and other Philadelphians gathered at Christ Church to give their respect to the Holy One. The Church is Anglican in look and feel (lots of white, no stained glass). The Franklin family pew was in the center of the church and identifiable via a marker. Several famous Philadelphians are buried at the church but Franklins tomb is down the street at Christ Church cemetery. His tomb is visible from the sidewalk and the one with all the coins on the tombstone. The Church and Cemetery are not open during the winter unless it's 70 degrees and beautiful outside.
On Sunday mornings Ben Franklin and other Philadelphians gathered at Christ Church to give their respect to the Holy One. The Church is Anglican in look and feel (lots of white, no stained glass). The Franklin family pew was in the center of the church and identifiable via a marker. Several famous Philadelphians are buried at the church but Franklins tomb is down the street at Christ Church cemetery. His tomb is visible from the sidewalk and the one with all the coins on the tombstone. The Church and Cemetery are not open during the winter unless it's 70 degrees and beautiful outside.
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