Philadelphia - Independence National Historical Park

Independence Hall is flanked by Congress Hall, in which the first Congress of the United States met from 1790 to 1800 and George Washington and John Adams were elected President, and Old City Hall, which was never in fact the town hall but was the seat of the Supreme Court from 1791 to 1800.

Congress Hall was the site of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives from 1790 to 1800 when Philadelphia was the nation's capital.

The American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum is located in Philosophical Hall (completed 1788). Changing exhibitions highlight the mingling of history, science and art from the Society's diverse collections. Among the important documents on display are Thomas Jefferson's hand-written copy of the Declaration of Independence and Lewis and Clark's journals as well as scientific specimens, patent models, portraits, maps, rare books and manuscripts.

The B. Free Franklin Post Office and Museum commemorates Franklin's 1775 appointment as the first postmaster general. It is the only post office operated by the U.S. Postal Service that does not fly the American flag, it is named after Franklin's unique signature.

The Independence National Historical Park contains a number of buildings, which have played a great part in the history of the United States. The Visitor Center, beside which is the tower containing the Bicentennial Bell, a gift from the British government on the bicentenary of the United States, is at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut Streets.

The Bicentennial Bell was a gift from the British during America's Bicentennial in 1976. It hangs in the Visitor's Center 130-foot bell tower.

Rev. Dr. William White, the first Episcopal Bishop of Pennsylvania, lived in this house on Walnut Street from its completion in 1787 until his death in 1836. White chose its location because it was midway between the two churches he served, Christ and St. Peter's. The house has been restored and many of the items on display actually belonged to Bishop White. The interior reflects the lifestyle of upper-class Philadelphians during the late 18th century.

Established in 1719, Christ Church Burial Ground is the burial place of Benjamin Franklin and other early-American historical figures: Commodore William Bainbridge, Charles Biddle, Dr. Thomas Bond, John Dunlap, Francis Hopkinson, Elizabeth Willing Powel and many others.

Guides lead visitors through the burial grounds telling stories of the Colonial and Revolution-Era people that are buried there.

Declaration House (also called Graff House after its original builder/owner) was Thomas Jefferson's home while he wrote the Declaration of Independence. On display is a recreation of the two rooms Jefferson rented on the second floor.

Edgar Allan Poe, the great American writer, his wife Virginia, and mother-in-law rented several homes in Philadelphia, but only the last house has survived. Poe lived at this home in 1843-44 when his stories, The Black Cat, The Gold Bug and The Tell-Tale Heart were published.

There are 5 exhibit areas, an audio-visual presentation on Poe's life and tours of the historic house.

The Free Quaker Meeting House was built in 1783. It's one of the oldest meeting houses in the city. The Free Quakers fought for the American cause during the Revolutionary War. Today, the descendants of the Free Quakers meet here annually to decide upon the distribution of funds generated by rental of the hall and income invested for charitable purposes. Among the exhibits is the 5-pointed star tissue pattern that Betsy Ross used in making the first American flag.

Deshler-Morris House was constructed in 1772-3 and served as the summer home of David Deshler, a successful Philadelphia merchant as well as the headquarters for British General Sir William Howe during the Battle of Germantown in October, 1777. President George Washington resided here during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Four Cabinet meetings were held at the house during this time, which included heated debate on the country's position in relation to the war between England and France.

To the north of Independence Hall extends the park-like Independence Mall, laid out in 1948. On its east side, at 55 North 5th Street, is the National Museum of American Jewish History. North of the museum, in Arch Street, is Christ Church Benjamin Franklin's

The Visitor Center is the starting point of any tour of the Independence National Historic Park. Tickets for nearby attractions (Bishop White House and Todd House) can be obtained here, as well as maps, brochures and other tourist literature in 12 languages. A 28-minute film, "Independence", is a good introduction to this historic area.

At Independence Square on July 8, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read in public.

The National Constitution Center features more than 100 interactive and multimedia exhibits, photographs, sculpture, text, film and artifacts. Visitors gain insight into basic constitutional facts and interpretation as well as Supreme Court cases.

The New Hall Military Museum is devoted to the Army, Navy, Marines and early American military history. On display are hand grenades, a blunderbuss, swords, and a scale model of the man-of-war, Raleigh. New Hall was built in 1791 by members of the Carpenters' Company.

Old St Joseph's Church founded in 1733 is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia. It was enlarged in 1821 and rebuilt in 1838. The interior features a painting of the Crucifixion behind the main altar. There is also a graceful curving balcony -- a rarity for a Catholic church.

Inside the former bank's barrel-vaulted structure are Ionic columns and portraits of revolutionary heroes and Federal statesman. Those painted represent a Who's Who of the eighteenth-century. There are signers of the Declaration and Constitution in addition to military men and foreign emissaries. Many of the works were painted by Charles Willson Peale, the foremost portrait artist of his day. The Bank is modeled on the Parthenon in Greece.

This restored town house was built in 1769 and serves as a bed and breakfast in Independence National Historic Park. Thomas Bond was a prominent Philadelphia physician.

Built in 1775, Todd House it was occupied from 1791-3 by lawyer John Todd, and his wife Dolley Payne. The Todd House reflects the lifestyle of eighteenth-century Philadelphia's middle class.