As a Malaysian i don't really know much about USA's history and besides i don't pay much attention during history class back in high school. However during my last visit to Philadelphia, i learn alot about Benjamin Franklin, the founding father of USA. I got to say he is a freaking awesome feller. retiring at 40 something with tons of money from his printing business and from there he basically do whatever pleases him, from inventor, politics to music. He really lived life to the fullest!
Thanks to The National Park rangers, they really do a great job making the stories come alive.
Living in NY is great, you got to do road trips to many places and Philadelphia is one of the places where you can visit. It's a bout 4 hours drive from where we lived, from NYC it's nearer.
upon arriving we headed straight to Independence tourist center, underneath it there is a autopark where u can park from 9am - 7pm for only $10 however you would need to purchase the Plash Card, but you can simply buy a single journey ticket which cost $2. and just show it to the parking guard office. ------> for more info http://www.visitphilly.com/tours/philadelphia/phlash/
admiring the beautiful Peonies at the Independence tourist center
1st thing you want to do is to go to the tourist center and get a reservation ticket( it's FREE but it's 1st come 1st served) for the independence hall.....unfortunately we were abit late(11am) by then time we reached it they were out of tickets but then it was Memorial weekend. but luckily after 5pm everyone can visit without a ticket. so till then we walked around the area, so much to do and see. it's like a big open air museum
view of the Independence Hall from the tourist center.
few block away is the Benjamin Franklin court
Franklin court printing office
here the National Park Service ranger talks about Benjamin Franklin and 18th century printing demonstration
just beside the printing office is the Ben. Franklin Post office
separating the printing office and the post office is this passage where Ben. Franklin walked through everyday from and to his house
this is the frame of what was once Ben. Franklin's house. The house was destroy in 1812. Because no historical records of the look of the exterior exist only what is known of the house is that it was 3 stories high, covered 33sqft. and included 10 rooms,
This frame was built in 1976 designed by Robert Ventury. From this portals, we got to see into Franklin's wells and foundation and some rare artifacts
just beside the house is Ben's museum, entrance fee $5/ pax
there area many story spots like this scattered around the town, where one can sit down and enjoy stories about this historic town
Carpenters Hall, built in 1774, owned and operated by The Carpenters' Company, the oldest extant trade guild in America. It was founded in 1724 to provide Philadelphia's master builders with training in the architecture disciplines, at a time when structural innovation in design was mostly by trial and error
Ben. Franklin chit chatting with a visitor
2nd Bank of the USA! the 1st one was just few blocks away
inside there was a portrait exhibition that just recently reopen to public
Signers Garden
The history changed with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the signing of the Constitution of the United States in 1787 Both event took place at the Independence Hall
The Signer, this 1980 sculptor commemorate the courage those who affixed their names to these Monumental documents
long line to see the Liberty Bell
The State House Bell, now known as the Liberty Bell, rang in the tower of Pennsylvania State House. Today, that building is known as Independence Hall. Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly Isaac Norris 1st ordered a bell for the bell tower in 1751 from London. That bell cracked on the 1st test ring. Local meralworkers melted down that bell and cast a new. It's this bell that would right to call lawmakers to their meetings and the townspeople together to hear the reading of the news. It;s not until the 1830's that the old state House bell would begin to take on significance as a symbol of liberty
as usual i always take picture from the back part
The Liberty Bell bears a timeless message " Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof"
weather was so hot, had to cool down at Independence Square, just behind Independence Hall
Commodore John Carry Statue
all this walking is making me hungry
just 15 minutes walk from the Independence Hall is Chinatown. we had noodles at Penang Restaurant. As a Penangite myself, i am really dissapointed.....
had Philly cheese steak too at some random stall we cake across
beautiful mural painting
with full tummy, it was time for to walk back to Independence Hall
we stopped by the old City Hall which was just around the corner
there is a long line, make sure to go earlier, because there is a security check
since the tour starts at 5pm we visit the Congress Hall and west wing to see the copy of Declaration of independence
inside of the Independence Hall,
Historic Supreme Court room
across the room is the Assembly room
staircase leading to the upper floor where the Long Gallery, Governor's Council Chamber and committee of the Council Chamber, is not included in this express tour...oh well....next trip
end of our Independence hall tour
Christ Church burial ground, the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin
Ben. Franklin and his wife's grave
not too far from the tourist center
Walking around the town was a really nice way to get to know the city and it's history. Would definitely recommend Philadelphia if one ever want to find things to do during a long weekend
Next day, the Famous Eastern State Penitentiary! World's first true penitentiary
another MUST visit in Philadelphia
No comments:
Post a Comment