Curious Parents Places to Go

summer fun

Rediscover Historical PHILADELPHIA this Summer
By Kidane John Yohannes

It’s true that we often overlook the great things we have right under our noses. We go out to eat, even though we have groceries in the house. And we even travel to great distances for vacation when we have national and historical sites right in our backyards—sites that can keep your children learning this summer. What city? Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is not only one of the oldest cities in our country, but also one of the most interesting, and it’s starring us right in the face. All within a 3-mile radius, The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is the great mini trip that many of us overlook. Here are a few highlights of the historical walking tour:

National Constitution Center (5th & Arch Streets): The National Constitution Center, located on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is the first museum in the world devoted to dramatically telling the story of The United States Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive and multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts. Be sure to walk through Signers Hall with its life-size statues including Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Watch Freedom Rising, which brings to life the historical context of The Constitution and its impact on our lives today. Take the Presidential Oath-of-Office and vote for your favorite President of all-time.

Independence Visitor Center (6th & Market): Visitors to the Independence Visitor Center will discover a range of services and amenities that provide a warm welcome and all of the information you need to plan your visit to the Philadelphia area including Independence National Historical Park. Get your free timed tour tickets for Independence Hall on the morning of your visit, on a first-come, first-served basis. Throughout the day, you can watch two films: Independence and Choosing Sides. Visit the Independence Store for souvenirs and Old Capital Coffee for refreshments.

Independence Hall (Chestnut Street between 5th & 6th Streets): Independence Hall, the birthplace of America, was built in 1732 as the Pennsylvania State House. Within this hallowed hall, the Second Continental Congress met in May 1775, and The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Independence Hall is also where the Constitutional Convention met to draft, debate and then sign The United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.

The Liberty Bell Center (6th Street between Market & Chestnut Streets): As the official bell of the Pennsylvania State House, which is today called Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell rang many times for public announcements. It may have rung on July 8, 1776 to announce the first public reading of The Declaration of Independence. The Liberty Bell, which weighs about 2,000 pounds, was silenced by a crack in 1846. Its inscription reads: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof” - Leviticus XXV, v.10, The Bible. The new Liberty Bell Center features exciting exhibits on the history of this world-famous icon of freedom.

Betsy Ross House (239 Arch Street): The Betsy Ross House, a row home built in 1740, has been restored to about the year 1777, and it commemorates Betsy Ross’ legend and history. In 1777, Ross was commissioned by George Washington to create the first American Flag. Although no official records exist to prove the story of Ross creating the legendary “Stars and Stripes,” the descendants of Ross have passed her story down from generation to generation, which detailed Ross’ role as a national matriarch and the feminine face of the American Revolution.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia (7th & Arch Streets): Founded in 1976, The African American Museum in Philadelphia is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the material and intellectual culture of African Americans in Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Americas. The Museum is also a proud affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Kidane John Yohannes is a freelance writer.