In September 2019, we spent a week in Philadelphia, but it just occurred to me that that was during the Histocrats' hiatus, and I never blogged about it. As I sat down and listed the sites we visited and went through pictures, I realized that we crammed a whole lot into a week. Too much for one blog, even, so I'll just give you a little info about the sites and what we did. If you visit Philadelphia, and you're into history, you won't be disappointed by any of these options.
Of course, most tourists' first stop is Independence National Historical Park ( https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm ), an area of a couple of blocks that includes many of the most important places associated with America's founding. In Independence Hall, you can enter the room where the Continental Congress named George Washington head of the Continental Army and argued over the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Standing in that space is awe-inspiring. Be sure to tour the building next door as well to see where the Congress of the new nation met from 1790 to 1800.
The park includes so many sites within a couple of blocks that you could spend a day or two there alone. There's the Old City Hall where the US Supreme Court met from 1791-1800, the Liberty Bell Center, the First Bank of the United States, the Second Bank of the United States, the Free Quaker Meeting House, the City Tavern, and the Declaration House where Jefferson lived and wrote the Declaration of Independence. Take a short walk outdoors and visit Washington Square, one of the city's five original squares featuring a monument to Washington and the unknown soldiers of the American Revolution, and the President's House Site. Washington's Philadelphia home is no longer standing, but there is an interesting exhibit on the site that provides a lot of information about the Washington house and household.
One of the newest attractions in Philadelphia is the Museum of the American Revolution (https://www.amrevmuseum.org/ ), which just opened in 2017, and is very close to the First and Second National Bank buildings. It is definitely a must see. The building is beautiful inside and out, and the exhibits are very well done. The star of the show, so to speak, is the Washington's tent exhibit. So special that it has its own theater and specific show times throughout the day. The audience is seated as a powerful film is projected. Then the curtain parts, and the star of the show becomes visible. George Washington's personal campaign tent, used during the Revolution. Apparently, at the end of the war, it was just packed up and passed down through the Custis and Lee families (descendants through Martha Washington) until 1909, when it was purchased from Robert E. Lee's daughter and first put on display. Who'd have thought the unveiling of a tent would be a main attraction?
Facing Independence Hall is the National Constitution Center (https://constitutioncenter.org/), featuring everything you ever wanted to know about the Constitution and more. Again, the exhibits are extremely well done, educational, and interactive. One of the most popular exhibits is Signers' Hall, an assembly of life-size bronze statues of 42 of the Constitution's signers. There is also a 17-minute show, called "Freedom Rising," featuring projections and a live actor.
As you're walking around the historic area, you might find yourself on a beautifully preserved street from the 18th and early 19th centuries, called Elfreth's Alley (http://www.elfrethsalley.org/ ). Restoration began in the1930s, and today there is a museum, and lots of visitors walk the street daily, through a real living museum, as the buildings and houses on the street are still occupied by residents, including many artisans.
While you're in the Independence Hall area, you might consider taking a walking tour with an experienced guide. There are several to choose from; just google Philadelphia walking tours. But why not take a tour with James Madison, the "father of the Constitution," himself? Well kind of. Kyle Jenks is an actor, writer, and James Madison portrayer. He created the Society Hill Walking Tour, and he takes guests back to 1787 Philadelphia, in character as the fourth president. Jenks is the subject of an upcoming 7 Questions interview, and I am looking forward to another trip to Philadelphia in order to do his tour.
Facebook: facebook.com/PresidentMadison
One of the most unique museums on Philadelphia is the National Liberty Museum (https://www.libertymuseum.org/ ). It is not an American history museum. As the name says, it is dedicated to liberty as an ideal that humans all over the world find inspiring. Its artifacts and artworks, all tell the story of liberty.
Whew! Those are just some of the sights to see in Philadelphia. There are probably two more blogs to follow; please watch for those!
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