Independence National Historic Park (PA)
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The entrance to Independence National Historic Park is quite unlike any other I had been to. From the underground parking garage to the official entrance inside the busy Philadelphia area visitor center it was all very unusual for this lover of quiet, reflective spaces...
As soon as you leave the visitor center the spire of Independence Hall beckons across the green. Its a good orientation point as you wander the streets around the park...
Independence Hall, or the Pennsylvania State House as it was originally known, is the most easily recognizable and well-known building in the park. It was built over two decades as funds allowed and was home to, in order, the Pennsylvania Colonial Legislature, the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and the United States Congress. The two events which occurred within it that secured it as an icon of American history were the signing of the Declaration if Independence in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. After Congress moved from the building in 1800, the State of Pennsylvania owned it until 1816 when it was turned over to the City of Philadelphia. Over 100 years later it was turned over to the care of the National Park Service when, in 1948, Independence National Historic Park was created.
No longer can the public haphazardly wander into this once public building. Modern times sadly require visitors to pass through a security checkpoint before entering the grounds or building...
The western of the two chambers inside the hall is the Supreme Court Room. Here met the Pennsylvania Supreme Court both before and after independence...
The eastern of the two chambers inside the hall is the Assembly Room. It was here that the Continental Congress debated a resolution to the conflict with Great Britain, signed the Declaration of Independence, and later housed the Constitutional Convention which resulted in the U.S. Constitution. The room has been meticulously preserved and recreated to appear as it did in that summer of 1776. The only original artifact in the room is the famous 'Sunrise Chair' in which sat George Washington and which caused conflict in Ben Franklin as to whether it was a rising or setting sun. Upon completion of the Constitution Franklin remarked, "I have often and often, in the course of the session, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President, without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting; but now at length, I have the happiness to know, that it is a rising, and not a setting sun."
Looking up at the Tower Stair Hall from the vestibule. Unfortunately the public is not permitted up to the second floor of the hall which was osed as both office space as well as a banquet area and, during the British occupation of the city in 1777-78, as a hospital for wounded soldiers.
Looking up at the tower from Independence Square... Independence Hall, or the Pennsylvania State House as it was originally known, is the most easily recognizable and well-known building in the park. It was built over two decades as funds allowed and was home to, in order, the Pennsylvania Colonial Legislature, the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and the United States Congress. The two events which occurred within it that secured it as an icon of American history were the signing of the Declaration if Independence in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. After Congress moved from the building in 1800, the State of Pennsylvania owned it until 1816 when it was turned over to the City of Philadelphia. Over 100 years later it was turned over to the care of the National Park Service when, in 1948, Independence National Historic Park was created.
Philosophical Hall (c.1785-89)
Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743 this building on the east side of Independence Square is the continuing home of the American Philosophical Society, stated as the oldest learned society in America. The society hosts various exhibitions in the hall which can be seen for free by visitors to the park...
Looking through the old entryway...
The west wing of the hall houses an exhibition titled Great Essentials that has on display a number of artifacts and documents dating back to the Declaration and Constitutional signing...
Declaration of Independence - John Nixon Copy (c.1776)
This original copy of the Declaration is a news copy of the original which was read by Colonel John Nixon, announcing the Declaration to the public from the steps of Independence Hall on July 8, 1776...
Articles of Confederation - Elbridge Gerry Copy of 2nd Draft (c.1776)
The Articles of Confederation were the first attempt to construct a working national government. The original Articles took five years to finalize and passed through numerous drafts and revisions. This is a page from the draft copy under the possession of Elbridge Gerry, congressional representative from Massachusetts...
United States Constitution - George Washington's Copy of the Final Draft (c.1787)
This final draft of the U.S. Constitution was given to soon-to-be President George Washington in September of 1787. Within the month each State would be presented with a copy of the draft for ratification...
Also among the Great Essentials displays is the inkstand made by Philip Syng for the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1752. According to the accompanying sign this was, in all likelyhood, the stand which was used during the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution...
Looking up at the hall from the west wing... Independence Hall, or the Pennsylvania State House as it was originally known, is the most easily recognizable and well-known building in the park. It was built over two decades as funds allowed and was home to, in order, the Pennsylvania Colonial Legislature, the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and the United States Congress. The two events which occurred within it that secured it as an icon of American history were the signing of the Declaration if Independence in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. After Congress moved from the building in 1800, the State of Pennsylvania owned it until 1816 when it was turned over to the City of Philadelphia. Over 100 years later it was turned over to the care of the National Park Service when, in 1948, Independence National Historic Park was created.
The somewhat restricted view of the hall from adjoining Independence Square... Independence Hall, or the Pennsylvania State House as it was originally known, is the most easily recognizable and well-known building in the park. It was built over two decades as funds allowed and was home to, in order, the Pennsylvania Colonial Legislature, the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and the United States Congress. The two events which occurred within it that secured it as an icon of American history were the signing of the Declaration if Independence in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. After Congress moved from the building in 1800, the State of Pennsylvania owned it until 1816 when it was turned over to the City of Philadelphia. Over 100 years later it was turned over to the care of the National Park Service when, in 1948, Independence National Historic Park was created.
Next stop..the Liberty Bell...
Waiting in line for the security checkpoint at the entrance to the Liberty Bell Center gave me a chance to shoot a couple more pics of Independence Hall...
Completed in 2003, this is the current home of the famous Liberty Bell. The bell itself is located on the other side of the glass wall in the foreground which faces Independence Hall...
The bell now known as the Liberty Bell originally hung in the tower of the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall). Contrary to popular belief it did not ring on July 4th, 1776 but rather was likely rung when the Declaration was formally announced on July 8th. Not immediately famous, it acquired its crack in the early 1800's and was first referred to as the Liberty Bell around this time by in an article published by an abolitionist group. As its fame grew the City of Philadelphia loaned the bell out on tour which did little good for the preservation of the bell. Eventually, after World War 2, the bell came under ownership of the National Park Service. It was moved from its origianl home in Independence Hall in 1976 to a nearby pavilion and then to the present structure in 2003.
The bell now known as the Liberty Bell originally hung in the tower of the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall). Contrary to popular belief it did not ring on July 4th, 1776 but rather was likely rung when the Declaration was formally announced on July 8th. Not immediately famous, it acquired its crack in the early 1800's and was first referred to as the Liberty Bell around this time by in an article published by an abolitionist group. As its fame grew the City of Philadelphia loaned the bell out on tour which did little good for the preservation of the bell. Eventually, after World War 2, the bell came under ownership of the National Park Service. It was moved from its origianl home in Independence Hall in 1976 to a nearby pavilion and then to the present structure in 2003.
Congress Hall, located immediately west of Independence Hall, was the capitol of the United States from 1790 to 1800 before the seat of government was moved to Washington D.C. You can now tour the structure for free but, unfortunately, time didn't allow us on this visit...
