February 1, 2008

Philadelphia = the city of historical love. As we did naught else, you should move on if you have no interest in our historical wanderings. If you enjoy history, you will surely understand why Philadelphia ranks high among our many history-based trips. We did nothing but history in Philly this trip – even the view from our hotel was historical. It would take a separate trip to see the city of Philadelphia circa 2008 (and eat cheesesteaks).

This is going to sound like a Wikipedia entry, but what can I do except list things we learned at each place??

Liberty Bell. Created in 1745 for the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall), and first called the Liberty Bell in 1839 in The Liberator. It probably did NOT ring, as rumored, to signal the signing of the Declaration, the shots at Lexington and Concord, or the opening of the First Continental Congress.

Independence Hall. Not as busy as we expected (yeah for off-season lines!). Now, who can believe this, but we stood in the very room where George Washington defeated John Hancock to become commander of the Continental army. The room where a declaration was first proposed, where it was written, and where it was ratified. The same room in which, 11 years later, delegates revised the Articles of Confederation to become something more permanent. The room containing the chair where Ben Franklin said of the decoration on George Washington’s chair, “But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting Sun.” Outside, plaques on the ground commemorated the spots where Presidents Lincoln AND Kennedy had stood to give speeches. Goosebumps, people. Goosebumps.

The first Senate building.

Carpenters’ Hall. This tiny site was home to the First Continental Congress in 1774. A couple of chairs in one corner denote the convergence of early Patriots such as the Adamses, Roger Sherman, Henry, and Washington. Whoo hoo!

City Tavern (founded 1773). A favorite meeting spot of many Founding Fathers (John Adams called it "most genteel tavern in America"). We enjoyed period sweet potato biscuits, hearty fish and meat, and two authentic beers developed from recipes by Jefferson and Washington.

Benjamin Franklin’s grave. Franklin hoped his grave would read: “The Body of B. Franklin Printer; Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and Amended By the Author.” Instead, it simply says “Benjamin and Deborah Franklin.” Still, it’s crazy!

Franklin Court. Ben Franklin’s post office, home/museum, rental property, and his son’s print shop. We saw the rental property – owned by his son and rented out, but now decorated with bits of pottery and shells and bones from meals (!). The printing office was fully set up in historical detail, with Park Rangers showing how the printing presses work (video here). Very cool!

Elfreth’s Alley. This is the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the country, having had inhabitants since 1703. Though the museum was closed this day, I peeked into the cute little townhouses, imagining living my life surrounded by history.

National Constitution Center. This was a little different, being the only museum we visited. It would be a cool place to visit with kids or non-Americans, as the exhibits were interactive explorations of constitutional principles. If you go, spend many hours if you want to really understand the Constitution. (Incidentally, if this museum were online, you could explore the videos, photos, etc. at your leisure.)

In summary, you can easily fill two whole days doing only American history activities in Philly. In fact, crammed as our schedule was, we didn’t even get to several of our options. Do it, love it, learn more.