The Bourse
111 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia
(215) 625-3000

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM; closed Tuesdays during January and February
Admission: free

This building served as the meeting place of the First Continental Congress in 1774. While it is included within the National Park, it is still owned and operated by the Carpenters' Company.

To understand the significance of Carpenters' Hall, a little history is sometimes helpful:

By the summer of 1774, the American colonies had a long list of grievances against Britain. The Boston Massacre, in which five colonists had been killed by British soldiers, had already occurred, as had the Boston Tea Party, which led to the closing of the Boston Harbor by British troops. The colonies decided to take action as a united group and so the First Continental Congress was assembled from September 5 to October 26, 1774. It consisted of 56 delegates from 12 colonies (Georgia didn't send a representative).

Philadelphia was chosen for the meeting because of its central location in a time when travel was often hazardous, and because it was the most prominent city in the colonies. Carpenters' Hall was preferred to the State House (now called Independence Hall) because it was considered a neutral place in a time when the power of individual colonial governments, especially Pennsylvania whose leaders were known to be conservative, was a concern. (Understanding these concerns is the key to Patrick Henry's assertion during the Congress that "the distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, New Englanders are no more. I'm not a Virginian but an American.")

Inspired by Sam Adams (who also led the Boston Tea Party) and the fiery words of Patrick Henry, the Continental Congress appealed to King George III and the English people to repeal unjust laws and taxes. They also vowed to boycott English goods and to meet again the following spring unless their problems with British rule had been resolved.

There was, of course, no repeal of the policies the colonists found so offensive and by the time the Second Continental Congress assembled at Independence Hall in May 1775, blood had already been shed at Lexington and Concord. At this point, they moved from protest to resistance. George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of "all continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defense of American liberty." The American Revolution had begun!

What You Will See
Today Carpenters' Hall houses chairs, candle sconces, carpenter's tools and other artifacts from 18th century life. The exhibits inside will teach you a bit about the guild called the Carpenters' Company, which set standards and prices for its members and provided aid to their families. Members of the Carpenters' Company built such notable buildings as Independence Hall, Old City Hall, Pennsylvania Hospital, Ben Franklin's mansion, and of course, their own Hall.

Getting There
For detailed driving directions and other logistical information, please see the write-up of Independence National Historic Park.

Open to visitors: 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Saturday; 1 to 5 PM, Sunday
Sunday services at 9 AM and 11 AM; Communion service also on Wednesday at 12 Noon

Called "The Nation's Church" by some, Christ Church has been an active Episcopal parish for over 3 centuries. The Church was organized in 1695; the current building was completed in 1754.

Many patriots and heros worshipped here. Note in particular, the pews of George Washington (#58), Benjamin Franklin (#70) and Betsy Ross (#12).

It is a wonderful, quiet, restful place to stop

Located in the area William Penn called Central Square, Philadelphia's City Hall is the country's largest.

For years, the gothic tower where William Penn's statue stands was under construction. Finally, the work was completed so that visitors can now enjoy trips to the tower's observation deck. Don't miss the chance to see the 30-mile panoramic view of the city. Self-guided tours leave every 15 minutes from 9:30 to 4:15 each weekday.

We also recommend the tours of the interior, which are offered on weekdays at 12:30 PM.

Meet in room 121 for all tours. All tours are free, although donations are appreciated. Closed on all city holidays.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center opened in 1993. The impact on Philadelphia has been tremendous. The Center offers seven football field's worth of exhibit space, attracting conferences and trade shows from around the country.

The Convention Center itself has also become something of a tourist attraction, with visitors signing up to tour the magnificently restored Reading Railroad train shed, a Victorian-era terminal, now a grand hall with a ballroom.

The CoreStates Science Park was developed through a collaboration with the Franklin Institute Science Museum and the Please Touch Museum (located across the street). This outdoor, interactive, learning center includes about 30 interactive elements, such as speaking tubes that permit kids to talk to friends across the park without raising their voices; the Sun Dial which shows children how to use the shadow of their bodies to tell the time; the Spindancer which makes streamers dance in the air; and the Granite Ball, which weighs 400 pounds, but spins easily because it sits on a bed of pressurized water. Don't miss the The Sky Bike, which allows two visitors at a time to ride 18 feet above the ground in a demonstration of gyroscopic stability.

Admission to the CoreStates Science Park is free if you have paid for either the Franklin Institute or the Please Touch Museum that day. The Park is open each year from May through October.

This whole street is a National Historic Landmark named for a blacksmith, Jeremiah Elfreth. This street has been continually occupied since 1713, making it the oldest residential street in the nation. The houses you'll see date from 1728 to 1836, representing Colonial and Federal-style architecture.

Stop by the Museum Houses (No. 124 and 126) to see authentic furnishings, including a Colonial kitchen. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday from noon to 4 PM. Call (215) 574-0560 for further details.

The rest of the houses are private homes, so take care to respect the privacy of the folks who live here.

Fairmount Park

Without a doubt, living in Philadelphia would be much less pleasant if it weren't for the 8,500 landscaped acres of Fairmount Park. Along with the usual amenities for picnicking, bike riding, hiking and tossing a ball or frisbee, Fairmount Park offers the Mann Music Center and Robin Hood Dell East, where outdoor concerts are held each summer, the Zoological Gardens (America's oldest zoo), the historic Fairmount Park Houses, and the charming structures along Boathouse Row.

Here are some of our other favorites:

• the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial Sculpture Garden on Kelly Drive, featuring works like The Quaker and Birth of a Nation
• the view from Belmont Plateau
• the 17th century shoin-style Japanese House and surrounding gardens
• the Azalea Garden
• the Waterworks (completed in the early 1800s, now being restored)

Enjoy the Park!

Writer, printer, statesman, diplomat, scientist, inventor -- Ben Franklin was a true Renaissance man. Franklin Court serves many functions, which is appropriate as a tribute to a man who had so many interests and achieved so many things. Take your time while you explore the museum and the other exhibits and you are bound to learn something about Dr. Benjamin Franklin that you didn't know before.

What You Will See
As you enter the Court (which is accessed via an alley from Chestnut Street or through the row houses on Market Street), you'll see steel frames that mark the sites of Franklin's "good house" and his grandson's printing office and type foundry (both Benjamin Franklin and his grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache, were printers when they were young). The original buildings were destroyed in 1812 and not enough information survived to recreate them as Benjamin Franklin would have known them. So instead, the steel silhouettes (sometimes called "ghosts") were built to suggest the presence of the 18th century brick buildings.

The underground museum contains exhibits describing Franklin's achievements. You'll see his desk and several of his inventions. Our favorite exhibit, however, is called the Franklin Exchange. Pick up a phone and call someone with whom Franklin corresponded by letter and hear what the exchange was like. We also like the presentations of Franklin's quotations (many from his "Poor Richard's Almanac" days) -- many, like "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise," have become firmly entrenched in our culture.

Adjacent to the Court is a print shop and boundry with an ongoing demonstration of what printing was like in the 18th century. You'll also see examples of some of the publications that Franklin printed, reminding you that it was his print shop that brought him the considerable wealth that allowed him to devote his time to public life and diplomatic duties in his later years.

Postmaster General was one of the many public offices Franklin held. So it is entirely fitting that the U.S. Postal Service has recreated a colonial-themed office here in his honor. Be sure to mail a postcard or a letter here so that you can see it hand-stamped with the "B. Free Franklin" postmark that Franklin used.

Getting There
For detailed driving directions and other logistical information, please see the write-up of Independence National Historic Park.

Fairmount Park offers more than just a place for picnics and ballgames. It is also where you will find seven spectacular 18th- and 19th-century mansions that were once the country homes of wealthy Philadelphians. Touring these historic houses, which are furnished with period decorations and works of art, is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. They are:

• Cedar Grove (a model of Quaker simplicity)
• Laurel Hill (built in the Georgian style)
• Lemon Hill (a Federal-style house)
• Mount Pleasant (built by a pirate and owned by Benedict Arnold)
• Strawberry Mansion (the largest of the houses)
• Sweetbriar (overlooks the Schuylkill)
• Woodford (contains a wonderful collection of furniture and delftware)

The houses are associated with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which offers a variety of year-round tours highlighting American history, architecture, culture and decorative arts, as well as other special events.

The brick structure we now know as Independence Hall originally served as the State House of the Colony of Pennsylvania. The events that occurred here provided the building with its new name. Independence Hall is best known as the place where the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It was also where the Continental Congress met again eleven years later and wrote the United States Constitution.

What You Will See
Independence Hall is open for tours only from 9 AM to 8 PM daily during the summer. Tours begin every 15 minutes and last for about a half hour. Park Rangers provide a brief orientation to the historical importance of the building before taking you through it. Please note that portions of the building may be closed at times as part of the Park's multi-year Utility Improvement Project, but the Rangers have promised that at least some portion of the building will always remain open.

The highlight of the tour for many people is Assembly Hall, where the Second Continental Congress met behind closed doors and drawn curtains to discuss their desire for independence from the British. This is where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where George Washington was chosen as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

Try to imagine what it would have been like for our "founding fathers" as they sat in a darkened, hot room and plotted treason against Britain. Remember that there was no air conditioning in 1776 and that July can be mighty hot in Philadelphia during June and July. Remember also that the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence put themselves at considerable risk when they signed Thomas Jefferson's document since treason was punishable by death. (To read more about the risks they took, click here.)

Independence Hall also houses the courtroom where the accused would literally "stand trial" and the elegant second floor "Long Room" where banquets, balls and similar events were held.

What You Won't See
Many people associate Independence Hall with the Liberty Bell -- and so they should since the bell hung in the bell tower until it was cracked beyond repair in 1846. For many years it was displayed in a glass case in the lobby of Independence Hall, but in 1976 it was moved to the Pavilion across the street where it is on 24-hour a day, 7-day a week display.

Be Prepared for Long Lines
Independence Hall is one of Philadelphia's most popular attractions and only a limited number of visitors can be accommodated by the tour at one time. As a result, you may find yourself waiting in line for up to an hour. While you wait, admire the symmetry (a hallmark of the architecture of the period) of Old City Hall and Congress Hall, which flank Independence Hall. If it is hot, do your best to find some shade in Independence Square as you wait.

Getting There
For detailed driving directions and other logistical information, please see the write-up of Independence National Historic Park.

Hours: most Park buildings are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM; hours may be extended in the evenings during the summer
Admission: most Park buildings are free, except the Bishop White House, the Todd House and the Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States which each cost $2

What You Will See
Independence National Historical Park includes the following:

• Visitor Center (the orientation film is recommended)
• Bishop White House (admission by tour only - get tickets at the Visitor Center)
• Todd House (admission by tour only - get tickets at the Visitor Center)
• Carpenters' Hall (site of the First Continental Congress in 1774)
• Second Bank of the United States (see the Portrait Gallery and admire the Greek Revival architecture)
• Old City Hall (home of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1791-1800)
• Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States Constitution was drafted, admission is by tour only)
• Congress Hall (where the U.S. Congress met from 1790 to 1800)
• Liberty Bell Pavilion (don't miss the chance to see the famous bell and hear the story behind it)
• Graff House (a reconstruction of the home where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence)
• Franklin Court (site of Benjamin Franklin's home, now a complex that includes a museum, print shop and a U.S. Post Office)

We recommend that you visit the sites in the order in which we have listed them. By doing so, you will travel in a circle, ending not far from where you started. Visiting all eleven attractions can easily take a full day.

If you are pressed for time, we recommend that you focus on Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Franklin Court. The combination of these three attractions will give you a flavor of what 18th century Philadelphia was like.

Adding to the Ambience...
Don't be surprised if you run into Ben Franklin himself as you explore the Park! Actors in 18th century garb frequent the Park (especially during the summer), performing impromptu recreations of historical events. It is not uncommon to see a raggedly group of recent recruits (played by visiting children) led by General George Washington marching along Chestnut Street to the tunes of a fife and drum company. Sometimes the recruits are even given broom handles (muskets being in short supply, of course) to practice with as they go through their drills. Feel free to join in the fun!

These programs are offered by Historic Philadelphia, Inc., a non-profit organization that brings Philadelphia's rich history to life. For more information, you can contact them directly at 215-629-5801.

More Fun Nearby
Other National Park buildings within walking distance include:

• Christ Church (an outstanding example of 18th century American architecture)
• Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site (the house where he lived from 1843-44)
• Free Quaker Meeting House (one of the oldest meeting houses in Philadelphia)
• Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church (the oldest church in Pennsylvania)
• Independence Park Institute (an education center for school groups and other visitors)
• Library Hall (open for use by scholars only)
• Mikveh Israel Cemetery (established in 1738)
• New Hall Military Museum
• Pemberton House (now the National Parks Museum Shop)
• Philadelphia Exchange (not open to the public)
• Philosophical Hall (not open to the public)
• St. George's Church (the oldest U.S. Methodist Church in continuous use)
• St. Joseph's Church (site of Philadelphia's first Roman Catholic Church)
• Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
• the Rose Garden (between Walnut Street and Locust Street near 4th Street)
• the Magnolia Garden (across Locust Street from the Rose Garden)
• Welcome Park (the site where William Penn granted the famous "Charter of Privileges")

Not part of the National Park, but also nearby are the U.S. Mint, the Betsy Ross House and Elfreth's Alley.

Taking a Break
Our favorite place for a refreshing drink or a bite to eat is the City Tavern, the reconstruction of an 18th century tavern. If you are interested in a more casual setting, we suggest the food court at the Bourse, which has lots of options.

Getting There
Please note that our directions take you to the parking garage near the Park's Visitor Center.

From the north: Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 4. Take Rt. 73 north to Rt. 38. Take Rt. 38 west to US 30. Take US 30 west over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. At the base of the bridge follow the signs for 6th Street. Take 6th Street to Market Street, turn left on Market Street. Take Market Street to 2nd Street, turn right on 2nd Street. Cross Chestnut Street. The parking garage will be in the middle of the block on the left.

From the south: Take I-95 north. Follow signs for "Central Phila./I-676". Exit onto 6th Street. Take 6th Street to Market Street and turn left on Market Street. Take Market Street to 2nd Street and turn right. Cross Chestnut Street. The parking garage is located in the middle of the block on the left.

From the west: Take the PA Turnpike (I-76) and exit at interchange 24, the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76). Take the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) to I-676 exit, Central Philadelphia. This is a left lane exit. Take I-676 to 8th Street exit and follow the signs for Independence Hall. Take 8th Street south to Market Street, turn left on Market Street. Take Market Street to 2nd Street, turn right on 2nd Street. Cross Chestnut Street. The parking garage will be in the middle of the block on the left between Chestnut and Walnut Streets.

Other Logistics
Many of the walkways in Independence National Historic Park are of uneven brick or cobblestones, so be sure to wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes and to watch your step.

Independence Square is where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the public on July 4, 1776. If you've done a lot of walking, the numerous benches under shady trees will provide some welcome rest as you consider your next stop. If you are like most people, it will be Independence Hall, which borders the Square's north side.

Getting There
For detailed driving directions and other logistical information, please see the write-up of Independence National Historic Park.

It has been said that the Liberty Bell is like our democracy, in that it is "fragile and imperfect, but endures." The bell has become an international symbol of freedom and attracts hordes of visitors from around the country -- and the world.

Interestingly, the Liberty Bell, which was cast in 1751, was originally called the State House Bell. It was rung to beckon Philadelphians to Independence Square for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. But it didn't crack then. Instead, it slowly cracked over a period of years, was repaired and then cracked again to be silenced forever in 1846.

Under usual circumstances, a bell that no longer rings is taken down from the belfry, melted down and used for other purposes. In this case, however, a group of Abolitionists, inspired by the bell's inscription, which reads "to proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," rechristened it the "Liberty Bell" and publicized its role in our nation's birth as part of their argument that all Americans -- including slaves -- should be free.

For years the Liberty Bell was on view in a case in Independence Hall. In 1976 it was moved to its present home in a modern, glass-walled building as part of the celebration of the nation's Bicentennial. The thinking then was that the Liberty Bell should be accessible to visitors 7 days a week, 24-hours a day. Its keepers even installed a system that allows after-hour visitors to hear a recorded message describing the bell's history and significance.

There has been almost universal dislike for the bell's pavilion from the very beginning, though, and plans are now underway to replace it. For details, read the National Park's plan for expanding the Independence National Historic Park. For now, though, we do recommend you stop by from 9 AM to 8 PM (summer hours) to hear the 10 minute Park Ranger presentation and see the bell for yourself.

Getting There
For detailed driving directions and other logistical information, please see the write-up of Independence National Historic Park.

Philadelphia has more outdoor works of art than any other city in North America, in part because of a law requiring public buildings to spend 1% of construction costs for art.

More than 200 of these outdoor sculptures (including works by Auguste Rodin) are in Fairmount Park alone.

Here are some of our other favorites (listed in no particular order):

• Judy Pfaff's mixed-media sculpture (in the Reading Railroad train shed)
• Claes Oldenburg's Clothspin (in front of the Center Square Building at 15th and Market Streets, controversial at first, now a Philadelphia icon)
• Milkweed at the Rohm and Haas building (Market and Chestnut Streets)
• The red Button (on the UPenn campus by College Hall)
• A seated Ben Franklin near Walnut Walk (on the UPenn campus)
• The eight-foot high bust of Ben Franklin made of 80,000 pennies donated by local children (on Arch Street near the Betsy Ross House)
• The charming kitten in the fountain at Atwater Park (adjacent to the Betsy Ross House)
• Swann Fountain at Logan Circle (designed by Alexander Stirling Caldor -- son of Alexander Milne Calder who designed City Hall's statue of William Penn; also related to the modern sculptor Alexander Calder, famous for mobiles)
• The Thinker outside the Rodin Museum

Since Philadelphia was the site of the first U.S. Mint, it doesn't surprise us that it now has the country's largest. You can see money being made before your very eyes (albeit behind a glass-wall) during a self-guided tour that includes the factory, several exhibits, and a store where you can buy freshly minted coins.

No camera or video equipment is allowed. Open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is free.

Hours:

Monday through Saturday, 9 AM. to 5 PM; Sunday, 12 noon to 5 PM; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day

Admission:

The former country estate of Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur is now a museum filled with his extensive collection of decorative arts. The mansion is set in a 966-acre garden that is full of color throughout the year. The complex also houses a research library for the study of American art and material culture.

The Museum
The museum's galleries offer a wonderful look at the treasures du Pont collected. We recommend the 45-minute Highlights Tour to first-time guests. The Decorative Arts Tours are in-depth 1 and 2-hour guided tours for adults and children 12 and up. Please note that because of ongoing building restoration, tour availability will vary in 1999, so it is best to call in advance for tour information.

The Garden
Access to the garden and a 30-45 minute narrated tram ride through the garden is included with a general admission ticket. Maps are available for self-guided walking tours. Guided garden walks (about 90 minutes long) are also available for an additional fee (see pricing above). Note that the Garden is open until dusk.

The Library
The Winterthur Library is open to all interested readers without charge, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Special collections (Decorative Arts Photographic Collection, Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera, the rare book collection, and the Archives) close at 4:30 PM.

Special Exhibit
Through February 19, 2001, see the exhibition called Kids!: 200 Years of Childhood. You'll see furniture, portraits, clothing, schoolbooks, merit cards, samplers, apprenticeship contracts, toys, games, and paper dolls -- all objects that evoke "growing up" in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Getting There
Cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge and take I-95 North to Wilmington. Take exit 7, which is Delaware Avenue/Rte. 52. Travel three blocks to Rte. 52; take a left at light. Stay in left-most lane to stay on Rte. 52 North. Winterthur is on Rte. 52, six miles NW of Wilmington.