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Welcome to Independence National Historical ParkNo trip to Philadelphia would be complete without a trip to Independence National Historic Park. There are many historic buildings and pieces of history located throughout. Carpenters' Hall served as everything from a hospital, to the home of Ben Franklin’s Library Company. City Tavern, an exact replica of the original still serves Colonial favorites. Visitors can dine here as the nation’s founders did. A reproduction of the house where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence has been furnished with exact copies of the home’s furnishings. The Liberty Bell stands proudly in all its glory as the symbol of national freedom. There is so much to see – it is definitely worth the trip. Bishop White House Carpenters' Hall Christ Church
City Tavern Congress Hall Declaration (Graff)
House Deshler-Morris
House Franklin Court Gloria Dei (Old
Swedes') Church National Historic Site Independence Hall
and the Great Essentials Exhibit Liberty Bell Mikveh Israel
Cemetery New Hall Military
Museum Old City Hall Philosophical
Hall Second Bank of
the United States Todd House |
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The
Rev. Dr. William White, rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church,
lived in the Bishop White House from 1787 until his death in 1836. He
chose to reside in the house, located at 309 Walnut St., because of its
proximity to both churches. The home is restored to reflect the lifestyle
of upper-class Philadelphians during the late 18th century, and includes
many of Bishop's actual belongings. The house is open for tours only.
Free tickets are available at the Independence Visitor Center, located
on the corner of Sixth and Market streets, on a first-come, first-served
basis. The tours, limited to 10 people and lasting one hour, include the
Todd House. 
Carpenters'
Hall, built in 1770 for the Carpenters' Company of the City and County
of Philadelphia (a trade guild), served a variety of functions throughout
its existence. In 1774, the delegates to the First Continental Congress
met at Carpenters' Hall to discuss their problems with King George III.
Ben Franklin's Library Company and the American Philosophical Society
also found homes in Carpenters' Hall. During the Revolutionary War, Carpenters'
Hall served as a hospital and arsenal for American forces. The hall, located
at 320 Chestnut St., is still operated by the Carpenters' Company of Philadelphia.
Call Carpenters' Hall at (215) 925-0167 for information about its seasonal
hours. .jpg)
Christ
Church, built between 1727 and 1754, is still an active Episcopal church.
It is often called The Nation's Church because many of its members helped
found the United States of America. Its past congregants included Benjamin
Franklin, George Washington, and Betsy Ross. The church is arguably one
of the finest 18th-century Georgian structures in the United States. It
is located on the corner of Second and Market streets. Christ Church's
historian provides informative talks to visitors every day. 
Christ
Church Burial Ground, located at Fifth and Arch streets, contains the
gravesite of several Revolutionary-era leaders. The burial ground includes
the graves of seven signers of the Declaration of Independence and four
signers of the Constitution. Many people venture to the cemetery to glimpse
the graves of Benjamin Franklin and his wife Deborah. The burial ground
is open, weather-permitting, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays,
and 12 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free, but a suggested donation
of $2 for adults and $1 for students helps maintain the graveyard. Tours,
costing $3 for adults and $2 for students, leave at 10:15 a.m., 11:15
a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m. .jpg)
City
Tavern, a restaurant located at Second and Walnut streets, served as a
social, political, and economic center for foreign diplomats and city
dignitaries in late 18th-century Philadelphia. Our nation's founders dined
on its sumptuous fare during the First and Second Continental Congress.
The current City Tavern, an accurate replica of the original building,
continues to serve 18th-century foods amidst a historical ambience. Colonial
classic such as West Indies pepperpot soup and Martha Washington-style
turkey pot pie are just a few savory items on the tavern's menu. City
Tavern starts lunch at 11:30 a.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. (3 p.m. on Sundays).
Guests may make reservations, which are highly recommended, by calling
(215) 413-1443..jpg)
Congress
Hall, the meeting place for the U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800, is located
on the corner or Sixth and Chestnut streets. The House of Representatives
convened on the main floor, while the Senate met upstairs. George Washington's
second presidential inauguration is among the many historical events that
happened within the hall. Today, Congress Hall is restored to resemble
the days when it served as the U.S. Capitol. Visitors are admitted to
the hall free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Guided programs
are available. 
The
original Declaration House, built in 1775 by Jacob Graff, housed Thomas
Jefferson during the summer of 1776. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration
of Independence in the home's two second-floor rooms, which consist of
a bedroom and parlor. The Declaration House that stands today, built in
1975 using old photographs as guides, is a re-creation of the original.
The bedroom and parlor are filled with period furnishings. Guests can
view reproductions of the swivel chair and lap desk Jefferson used to
draft the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration House is located
at the corner of Seventh and Market streets. Admission to the house is
free.
The
Deshler-Morris House, constructed from 1772 to 1773, is famous for housing
Washington during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. While Washington
resided there, his cabinet (Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Edmund
Randolph, and Henry Know) convened within the residence four times. The
Deshler-Morris House is also famous for serving as British Gen. Sir William
Howe's headquarters during the Battle of Germantown in October 1777. The
Deshler-Morris House is located at 5442 Germantown Ave. It is open from
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, from April through mid-December.
Call (215)596-1748 for additional information .jpg)
Franklin
Court, located at 318, 320 to 322, and 316 Market St., is the site of
the only home Benjamin Franklin ever owned. The 318 Market St. dwelling
- a former tenant house owned by Benjamin Franklin - contains the Fragments
of Franklin Court museum, which explores the changes in the building itself
throughout the years. The interior walls of the 18th-century building
are stripped to reveal the alterations made from its construction in 1787
to the present. Guests may view the building's architectural "scars"
and over 30,000 objects found during archaeological excavations of the
site. The 320 to 322 Market St. buildings house the Franklin Court Printing
Office, which demonstrates the 18th-century printing process. The 316
Market St. structure is the U.S. Post Office and Museum, which is a working
U.S. Post Office that honors postmaster Benjamin Franklin. The Underground
Museum, located at the entrance to Franklin Court, celebrates the life
and contributions of Benjamin Franklin through various exhibits.-C.jpg)
The
Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site, built between 1698 and 1700,
served as a mission of the Church of Sweden for two centuries. The Swedes,
who settled in Pennsylvania before the English, built the church. It became
Episcopal in 1845, due to the Swedes assimilation into the American population.
The church exhibits several items from the original edifice, such as the
Baptismal Front. Today, Gloria Dei is an active religious congregation
and home to its minister. Call the rector at (215) 389-1513 for information
about visiting the church. .jpg)
The
Liberty Bell is a national symbol of freedom. Its chime summoned citizens
to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The
bell traveled around the country after the Civil War to remind citizens
that they once fought together, rather than divided, for the common cause
of freedom. The inscription on the bell, which carries a different meaning
for all who see it, reads "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land
unto all the inhabitants thereof - Lev. XXV, v.x. By order of the Assembly
of the Province of Pensylvania [sic] for the State House in Philadelphia."
The Liberty Bell is housed in the Liberty Bell Pavilion, on Market Street
between Fifth and Sixth streets. Talks about the bell are presented continuously,
and audio tapes in 16 foreign languages are available. 
The
Mikveh Israel Cemetery is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia.
The graveyard, first established in 1738 by Nathan Levy as a private burial
ground, went public in 1774 when it became part of Mikveh Israel Synagogue.
The synagogue is the only Jewish place of worship that continued to operate
in the colonies during the Revolution. Haym Salomon, a financier of the
Revolution, is buried in the cemetery in an unmarked grave. Mikveh Israel
Cemetery is located on Spruce Street, between Eighth and Ninth streets.
Call the Mikveh Israel Synagogue at (215) 922-5446 to make arrangements
to visit the cemetery.
New
Hall Military Museum is a reconstruction of the 1791 building that housed
the office of the first Secretary of War, Henry Knox, and his staff. Its
exhibits describe the origins of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps
from the American Revolution to the late 18th century. The New Hall Military
Museum is located on the corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets. Admission
to the New Hall Military Museum is free. It is open every day from 2 p.m.
to 5 p.m..jpg)
Old
City Hall is Philadelphia's second city hall. It became quite crowded
upon its completion in 1791. The second floor housed the Mayor's office
and council chamber, and the first floor contained the Mayor's Court.
Between 1791 and 1800 Philadelphia served as the nation's capital, forcing
the Supreme Court and Mayor's Court to share space. Old City Hall is located
on the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets. Visitors are admitted, free
of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Old City Hall is open
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. 
Philosophical
Hall, built between 1785 and 1789, provided a central meeting place for
members of the American Philosophical Society. The society, founded in
1743 by Benjamin Franklin, is still headquartered in Philosophical Hall
today. Various exhibits, which explore the intersections of history, art,
and science, are showcased at the hall. All exhibits focus on the early
days of Philadelphia and the nation. Philosophical Hall is located at
104 S. Fifth St., behind Old City Hall.
The
Second Bank of the United States served as an influential financial institution
until former President Andrew Jackson vetoed the bill to renew its charter
in 1836. The bank, built between 1819 and 1824, is one of the most excellent
examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. The bank
currently houses "Portraits of the Capital City." The gallery
contains 185 paintings of 18th-century military officers, explorers, scientists,
and Colonial and federal leaders. Many paintings are by Charles Willson
Peale, the leading portraitist of his time period. The Second Bank of
the United States is located on Chestnut Street, between Fourth and Fifth
streets. The Second Bank of the United States is closed for renovations
until the fall of 2003. .jpg)
The
Todd House's occupants, from 1791 to 1793, were lawyer John Todd and his
wife Dolley Payne. Dolley married James Madison after John died in the
yellow fever epidemic of 1793. James Madison went on to become the fourth
president of the United States. The Todd House reflects middle-class life
in 18th-century Philadelphia. The house is open for tours only. Free tickets
are available at the Independence Visitor Center, located on the corner
of Sixth and Market streets, on a first-come, first-served basis. The
tours, limited to 10 people and lasting one hour, include the Bishop White
House.