Welcome
As you know we have been studying the founding documents and how they pertain to our system of government today, to include: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Since Philadelphia is the birthplace of these documents, we will journey together to this great city and see just exactly where these documents were conceived. Along the way we will stop to see some other noteworthy locals.
Since we will be visiting Philadelphia in the Spring it is imperative that you have an opportunity to discover philadelphia virtual style before your actual visit. Because I do not want you to rush through your trip; I have given you three class periods to discover all things in historic downtown Philadelphia. Take your time and dig deep to find the hidden treasures inside one of America's most historic cities!
Where to go and What to do!
You will visit each of the 18 different stops and read the captioned photos for each of Philadelphia's historic landmarks and then click on the following links to discover additional information about each landmark. You will post comments about the most interesting things you find on your virtual field trip on Wiki Spaces. You do not have to visit the stops in any particular order but be sure you visit at least 6 stops a day so that you will finish your trip in the three days given.
What did I see?
As previously mentioned, you will post comments about what you saw during your virtual field trip on Wiki Spaces. You will be given a username and password to log into Wiki Spaces. You will post comments, pictures and information on 6 of the most interesting landmarks. Be sure to include information you found not already mentioned as part of the landmark summary on this page for each stop. Dig deeper to find the hidden experiences by clicking on the resource link under each descriptive summary.
Stop #1
Independence Hall
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.
Click Here to learn more about Independence Hall
Stop # 2
Liberty Bell Center
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.
Click Here to learn more about the Liberty Bell Center
Stop # 3
National Constitution Center
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.
Click Here to visit the Official National Constitution Center Homepage
Stop # 4
Congress Hall
Constructed between 1787 and 1789 as the Philadelphia County Court House, Congress Hall served as the United States Capitol, the meeting place of the United States Congress, from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the Capital of the United States. The House of Representatives met on the main floor, while the Senate assembled upstairs. From its earliest days the Senate thus came to be referred to as the "upper chamber." Among the historic events that took place here were the inaugurations of President George Washington (his second) and President John Adams.
Click here to learn more about Congress Hall
Stop # 5
Old City Hall
The United States Supreme Court met here from 1791 until 1800 when the Capital of the United States was moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. Early members of the Supreme Court included: John Jay, Chief Justice, 1789 to 1795; Oliver Ellsworth, Chief Justice, 1796 to 1800; and John Marshall, Associate Justice who later became Chief Justice, 1801 to 1835.
Click Here to learn more about Old City Hall
Stop # 6
Todd House
Built in 1775, the Todd House was occupied from 1791 to 1793 by lawyer John Todd, and his wife Dolley Payne. Todd died during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. Following her husband�s death, Dolley married James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States.
Click Here to learn more about the Todd House
Stop # 7
Merchant's Exchange
The Merchants� Exchange, designed by William Strickland in 1831, is the oldest stock exchange building in the United States. During President Andrew Jackson�s first term in office, Philadelphia, along with the rest of America, was in the midst of an economic boom, and the building was a hub for financial and commercial activities.
Click Here to learn more about the Merchant's Exchange
Stop # 8
City Tavern
The City Tavern is a reconstruction of the tavern where delegates of the First and Second Continental Congresses met, as well as where delegates of the Constitutional Convention met. The City Tavern played host to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Today, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and it offers visitors the chance to enjoy a taste of the past.
Click Here to visit the City Tavern's Official Home Page
Stop # 9
First Bank of the U.S.
The First Bank of the United States was chartered by Congress and President Washington in 1791 under the direction of the Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton. Architecturally, the First Bank of the United States building won wide acclaim upon its completion in 1797, and it is believed to be one of the first examples of Classical monumental design. The constitutionality of the First Bank of the United States sparked the first great debate between "strict constructionalists" and "loose constructionalists" regarding the interpretation of The United States Constitution.
Click here to learn more about the First Bank of the U.S.
Stop # 10
Carpenters' Hall
Carpenters’ Hall was built in 1770. The First Continental Congress met at Carpenters' Hall in September 1774 to draw up a Declaration of Rights and Grievances and an appeal to King George III. This was in response to the Colonies' outrage towards the British Parliament over punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. During the Revolutionary War, Carpenters' Hall served as a hospital and an arsenal for American forces. It was here at Carpenters' Hall during the First Continental Congress that Patrick Henry stated, "The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian but an American."
Click Here to learn more about Carpenters' Hall
Stop # 11
Franklin Court
Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers, was a very accomplished author, diplomat, inventor, philanthropist, political pundit, printer, statesman and scientist during his 84-year life. Franklin's house once stood in Franklin Court, however it was razed in 1812. Today, the Robert Venturi-designed "Ghost House" stands depicting the frame of Franklin's home. Below Franklin Court is a museum which is filled with paintings, objects and inventions; the museum also continuously shows The Real Ben Franklin movie.
Click Here to learn more about Franklin Court
Stop # 12
Christ Church
Often called the "Nation's Church," this Episcopalian church has been an active parish since 1695, and it is where Benjamin Franklin, Absalom Jones, Robert Morris, Betsy Ross, Benjamin Rush and George Washington worshipped. It was the first parish of the Church of England (Anglican) in Pennsylvania. It is also the church where the American Episcopal Church was born. The steeple, financed by a lottery organized by Franklin, was the tallest structure in the Colonies for 83 years.
Click Here to visit the Christ Church Official Homepage
Stop # 13
Elfreth's Alley
Named for blacksmith Jeremiah Elfreth, Elfreth's Alley, with its 33 houses, is the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the United States, since 1713. Elfreth's Alley includes a museum about the living history of the Alley.
Click Here to visit the Official Elfreth's Alley Homepage
Stop # 14
Betsy Ross House
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.
Click Here to learn more about the Betsy Ross House
Stop # 15
Bourse Building
The Bourse Building, opened in 1895, was the first Commodities Exchange in the United States. The Bourse Building was the first in the world to simultaneously house a stock exchange, maritime exchange and grain-trading center. Be sure to visit The Bourse's souvenir shops and food court, which serves everything from cappuccino to world-famous Philadelphia cheesesteaks.
Click Here to visit the Official Bourse Homepage
Stop # 16
Declaration House (Graff House)
Declaration House, or Graff House as it is also referred to, is on the site where Thomas Jefferson lived when he wrote The Declaration of Independence, appealing to the natural principles of justice and equality. Be sure to request to watch the free 10 minute movie entitled Portrait of a Patriot which tells the story of Jefferson and the writing of The Declaration of Independence.
Click Here to read more about the Graff House
Stop # 17
Fireman's Hall Museum
Containing firefighting apparatus from 1731 to 1907, including early hand-drawn and horse-drawn engines, Fireman's Hall Museum is dedicated to the art and science of firefighting through the last three centuries. Fireman's Hall is located on the site of the former Engine Company Number Eight, a descendant of Benjamin Franklin's 1736 "Union Fire Company."
Click Here to visit the Firman's Hall Museum Website
Stop # 18
U.S. Mint
In 1792, Congress passed The Coinage Act, which created the Mint and authorized construction of the first Mint in the nation's capital, Philadelphia. The Mint in Philadelphia has since moved three times in order to expand. Today, the Mint in Philadelphia is one of five facilities nationwide, and it is the home of engraving for United States coins and medals. Every day, the Philadelphia and Denver facilities mint 65 to 80 million coins.
Click Here to visit the U.S. Mint's Official Homepage
Summary
In short, after you have completed your journey through historic downtown Philadelphia, you should have posted comments,pictures and information on 6 Wiki pages highlighting the best parts of your trip. We will read each of the Wiki pages together in class in hopes of creating a classroom discussion about some of the best things to see and do before we go to Philadelphia on our real field trip. I hope that this virtual fieldtrip will have helped you in preparing for your real fieldtrip to historic downtown Philadelphia in the spring!
Have Fun!