We loved, loved, loved our short trip to Philadelphia. (One of the advantages to living in Northern Virginia is that Philly is only a 3-hour drive away; NYC is 5 hours; Hershey, PA is 2 hours; Baltimore is 1 hour; and we're only 5–6 hours from most of our children and grandchildren.)
We gained a renewed appreciation for the founding of our nation and love America and our constitution more than ever! We took tons of pics, but I can only post a few. . .
Outside one of the entrances to Reading Terminal Market
Inside Reading Terminal Market. We ate a great lunch at Tootsie's.
Independence Hall
Front of Betsy Ross House
This Betsy Ross reenactor— in her upholstery shop — was the best!
Me with one of the reenactors at the visitors center.
Alleyway entrance to apartment where Ben Franklin once lived,
and also rented to others
and also rented to others
Ben Franklin's post office
above and below—Streets along Society Hill
Congress Hall - in 1797, in this very place, is where the first peaceful transference of power, from George Washington to John Adams, took place.
(At that time, Philadelphia was the nation's capitol.)
(At that time, Philadelphia was the nation's capitol.)
This is the room where the delegates from the 13 colonies met, in Independence Hall
This is the kitchen of John and Dolley Todd (she later became Dolley Madison) They had two sons and, for a time, two of Dolley's sisters also lived with them along with a servant and a law clerk who worked for John Todd. Dolley's husband and one son died in the Yellow Fever epidemic in the early 1790's. Later, Aaron Burr introduced Dolley to James Madison, and they married in 1794. Madison became the fourth President of the U.S. in 1809. (Dolley is credited as being the first hostess to serve cake and ice cream for dessert in the White House — a tradition which spread quickly.)
The guest bedroom — and a place for ironing and mending. (The furnishings in the Todd home are reproductions or period items such as they likely had. Because Dolley's one surviving son had a gambling habit, the Madisons ultimately sold nearly everything in order to cover his mounting debt.)
The formal sitting room, where she was most likely courted by James Madison.
He was 43 and she was 26 when they married. Dolley was a Quaker, but when
she married Madison, a non-Quaker, she was expelled from the Society of Friends.
He was 43 and she was 26 when they married. Dolley was a Quaker, but when
she married Madison, a non-Quaker, she was expelled from the Society of Friends.
This is the family dining room for The Most Reverend William White, the first
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal church, first Bishop of Pennsylvania, and second
U.S. Senate Chaplain. He was Bishop of Christ Church in Philadelphia. Though the Todd and White homes were not far from each other, it's unlikely they would have
been in each other's homes or participated in the same social circles.
Nearly all the furnishings in the White home are original items used by the family.
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal church, first Bishop of Pennsylvania, and second
U.S. Senate Chaplain. He was Bishop of Christ Church in Philadelphia. Though the Todd and White homes were not far from each other, it's unlikely they would have
been in each other's homes or participated in the same social circles.
Nearly all the furnishings in the White home are original items used by the family.
Immediately upon entering this home, the contrast between it
and the Todd house are apparent.
and the Todd house are apparent.
The opulent dining room of the White home. The open doors on either side,
behind the fireplace show where servants could keep food warm before dinner.
Many famous people dined at this table. Among them were George Washington
and the Marquis de LaFayette.
behind the fireplace show where servants could keep food warm before dinner.
Many famous people dined at this table. Among them were George Washington
and the Marquis de LaFayette.
A sideboard in the formal dining room of Bishop White's house.
Would love to have a pantry this size in my kitchen!
The White kitchen
The kitchen table—where the servants and the children ate.
A playroom and study room for Bishop White's 11 grandchildren
who lived there for a time.
who lived there for a time.
Carpenter's Hall
It was interesting to hear the story of forging the Liberty Bell
Another view of Independence Hall
We enjoyed a great dinner at the City Tavern — restored to resemble what it
might have been during the time Philadelphia was the nation's capitol.
might have been during the time Philadelphia was the nation's capitol.
Elfreth's Alley—America's oldest continuously residential street.
Homes here are over 300 years old. Two of the houses here have become museums,
but they were closed Labor Day (when we were there.)
Homes here are over 300 years old. Two of the houses here have become museums,
but they were closed Labor Day (when we were there.)
above and below—these were taken along a side street off of Elfreth's Alley
Christ Church, where many early founders worshiped.
This window is the first Palladian used in any building in America.
This window is the first Palladian used in any building in America.
A smith-y reenactor showing wares from many different types of smiths.
The General
Wall outside of Christ Church Cemetary
(where Ben Franklin and other patriots are buried.)
(where Ben Franklin and other patriots are buried.)
Love this contemporary sculpture of Ben Franklin,
complete with kites and lightning bolts.
complete with kites and lightning bolts.
1 comment:
That was almost as fun as touring Philly myself! I was 14 when my family visited so I don't remember very much. Great trip!
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