City of Brotherly Love

There are no campgrounds in Philadelphia area (consistent with every other large city we’ve visited). The closest one was in New Jersey so we headed over the Delaware river to Clarksboro to a nice KOA campground. About 30 minutes away from the historic landmarks, it wasn’t a bad commute across the Ben Franklin bridge.

We visited most of the traditional tourist sites and spent a day and a half at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Housed in a beautiful building built in the 1800s specifically for the Historical Society, the collection of records on the founding of the country is second only to the Library of Congress. Lots of stuff useful for genealogy. I focused on finding out more on the Kauffmans (Florence’s father’s side) and the Boyers (a branch on my mother’s side of the family).  I found 2 books with the complete family tree for both.  A literal bonanza! These will give me the framework which, hopefully, will help me find out more details about these ancestors as we travel to Amish country and points west.

We had to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the tomb of the unknown Revolutionary War soldier, and other historical landmarks.  Also took some time to walk around other areas of Philadelphia including the Reading Terminal Market, City Hall, and Love Park.

The weather was either incredibly hot and muggy or warm and rainy.  Didn’t make for great wandering around weather.  But we managed to dodge much of the bad stuff and see quite a bit. We hid in museums during the hottest part of the day, visiting the Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center.

I really liked Philadelphia. The history was fascinating, the architecture was interesting, the city life was very active and the people friendly.  We enjoyed the local food, including the requisite Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich.  Quite a debate over which place is best, we went with the recommendation of one of the staff members at the Historical Society.  It was excellent.

Four days wasn’t near long enough, but we are heading out to Gettysburg next.

This sculpture was just recently reinstalled after a new paint job.  The symbol has become iconic for Philadelphia.

We crossed the Ben Franklin bridge every day on the way to Philadelphia.

The Delaware River is much busier here than further upstream in Bucks county.

I was glad we visited Independence Hall after the summer rush was over.  Most schools start in the middle of August. We got our timed tickets for the time we wanted.

I loved the details of the Hall.

Visited the Assembly room first.  It was arranged to look like the participants of the Second Continental Congress had just taken a break.

My understanding is that this chair and the inkwell are the only original pieces.  Everything is a replica.

George Washington sat here.  When the Declaration of Independence was signed, Franklin said that he was happy to know that this symbol was of a rising sun, not a setting sun.

Courtroom of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  

When Lincoln's funeral train arrived in Philadelphia, Lincoln's casket was taken to the Assembly room to lie in state.  Over 300,000 people passed by his casket.

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It was an emotional moment for me to actually sit inside the building that played such an important role in the formation of our country. Such bravery on the part of the representatives to sign the Declaration of Independence, and their willingness to compromise in order to get a Constitution signed (at least most of them).  The current representatives need to learn this lesson.

I was surprised by the width of the crack.  

A bas relief on the outside wall of the Historical Society Building.  There were lots of sculptures all over the city.

The oldest Bible society in the country, this group distributes Bibles at a low-cost or free for those unable to buy their own Bible.

Not so sure this is true anymore. Sad.

A replica of the Liberty Tree in the Museum of the American Revolution.

The Museum of the American Revolution had lots of wonderful dioramas like this one, documenting significant moments in the timeline for our independence.

Inspiring that people who were taken from their homes to become slaves in the colonies, believed enough in the words of the rebels to see that the colonies could be their place for a free life.  Although this woman did win her freedom, it would take many more years for others to see their freedom.

The natives gave their input on what the new country should be about and expressed their concern for the future of their tribes.

This depiction of a young Hessian solder could represent Russ' 4th great grandfather. He wasn't quite this young when he came over as a conscripted soldier.  After being captured and held as a POW, he escaped as he was headed to New York to be handed over to the Brits  in 1783 and stayed in the country to found generations of Dillings in Pennsylvania - many who live in the same area, and indeed on the same farm.

Casper Dilling came from Hesse-Cassel. I look forward to learning more about him. There is an organization that has quite a bit of info on all the Hessian soldiers that came over, and I have their contact info now.

This is across the street from Independence Hall and is totally dedicated to the Constitution and its continued significance.  It was laid out as a timeline through the history of our country, and depicted important moments when the Constitution served to define the direction of the country.

Russ thought it was funny that the non-working exhibit was using its 5th Amendment rights. I thought there was a second meaning appropriate for the current occupant of the building, but he thought I was taking it too far.  Probably right.

A portion of the original road was preserved.  Pretty rough, and I imagine slippery, when wet.

Washington Square is one of 5 original squares laid out by William Penn's surveyor around 1682. It was used as a burial ground for soldiers, African slaves and poor people over the years.

Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. The bones that are interred are a soldier's bones, but it is unknown if the soldier was British or a colonist.

This sculpture depicts a young Franklin as a printer.

This is a Masonic Temple, across the street from City Hall.

Philadelphia City Hall is the largest municipal building in the country.

The City Hall is an excellent example of Second Empire architecture. Very ornate.

The story is that the city, at one time, would not allow a building to be built higher than the top of William Penn's hat.  Now, there are many buildings much taller than City Hall, but they are all to William Penn's back, so he can't see them.

Depicts Franklin handing Washington his Masonic apron.  Both were active members.