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Home , Edmund Woolley, Independence Hall, Robert Edge Pine

INDEPENDENCE National Historical Park Project j% was removed to Allentown where it was hidden The Building of The Liberty ington to be General and Commander in Chief dependence had been adopted, were conducted for almost a year. It was returned to of the Army; and he gave his acceptance to the in the strictest secrecy. No other room in INDEPENDENCE HALL was originally the State It was not until the 1740's that the Assembly after the departure of the British. Congress in Independence Hall. While Wash­ America has ever been the scene of such politi­ House for the . Prior authorized the erection of the tower on the After the Revolution the bell was tolled at ington organized the army, the Continental cal courage and wisdom. The result of their to its construction the Provincial Assembly had south side of Independence Hall "to contain a Independence the deaths of the heroes of the war and the lead­ Congress organized the govern-' labors was the Constitution of the , no official building for its meetings, but was staircase, with a suitable place therein for hang­ ing citizens of the Nation. It is the tradition ment. On July 4, 1776, the document known which, with amendments, has continued as the compelled "to hire a house annually." In order ing a bell." In 1751, the bell for the State House that the bell was cracked in 1835 while being as the Declaration of Independence was adopted law of the land. to meet the needs of the Provincial Govern­ was ordered from England. The famous "Pro­ tolled on the occasion of the death of Chief by the Congress in Independence Hall. This NATIONAL HISTORICAL ment, funds were appropriated for the construc­ claim Liberty" inscription was intended as a Justice Marshall, the great interpreter of the document, largely written by , tion of a State House in 1729. The next year the fiftieth anniversary memorial to William Penn's Philadelphia, the Capital, 1790-1800 Federal Constitution. Although efforts were is the finest statement of democratic principles AAAAAAAA committee of the Assembly, having selected the Charter of Privileges of 1701, and the bell re­ PARK PROJECT made to restore its tone, they were unsuccessful. in history, and stands today as the basis of the Just prior to Philadelphia's becoming the south side of Chestnut Street between Fifth and ceived its present name from this inscription. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Now located in Independence Hall, the free government of the United States. capital, Independence Hall acquired two new Sixth Streets as a site,.began to purchase the Although designed as a memorial, the associa­ Douglas McKay, Secretary is the most venerated symbol of Following the Declaration of Independence neighbors of destiny—the City Hall on the east necessary land. Although the Assembly may tion of the Liberty Bell with the most significant patriotism in America and its reputation as an came the long hard years of war. Philadelphia and the County Court Building on the west. , Conrad L. Wirth, Director have contemplated buying all of the land which events of the has led to emblem of liberty is world-wide. was occupied by the British for the winter of These fulfilled the original plan of a city govern­ finally became Independence Square, the Prov­ the belief that the inscription foretold these 1778 while Washington's army kept watch at mental center as conceived by Andrew Hamil­ . Scene of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the meeting place of the ince did not secure all of the property south to later happenings. The Declaration of Independence and of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the seat of Government . After the departure of the British, ton. About the same time, the American Philo­ Walnut Street until the 1760's. After consider­ The bell arrived in Philadelphia in 1752, but As opposition towards England's colonial Subsequent History of the United States from 1790 to 1800 Philadelphia again became the seat of govern­ sophical Society, the oldest learned society in able delay, construction was commenced in the was cracked while being tested. John Pass and policy developed in the American colonies, ment. On November 3, 1781, the Congress the United States, was granted a lot in the With Philadelphia no longer the capital spring of 1732 when ground was broken for the Charles Stow, Jr., "two ingenious workmen" of Philadelphia, the metropolis of the English officially received the news of the surrender of Square. Its building, , com­ either of the United States or of Pennsylvania, present building. Philadelphia, recast the bell. The tone was not colonies in America, naturally became the center "THE UNITED STATES was created in Philadelphia on July 4, Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., and was pleted in 1789 and the only privately owned the Supreme Court Building reverted to its , master carpenter, and satisfactory, and it was cast again by Pass and of government. In Carpenters' Hall, which is 1776, when the Continental Congress voted the final form of the presented with the captured colors. This event building in the Square, harmonizes in its archi­ original purpose as a City Hall, and Congress , lawyer, planned the building Stow in 1753. Today, the visitor looks upon the still standing near Independence Square, the signified the end of the long war. American tectural design with the other structures. Hall was used as the County Court House. Declaration of Independence. The United States was perpetuated on and supervised its construction. Designed in the bell from this third casting of the original metal. First Continental Congress met in September independence had been won. The Federal Government under the new In 1802, Independence Hall entered into a September 17, 1787, when the Federal Convention completed its work dignity of the Georgian period, Independence As the official bell of the Pennsylvania State 1774 to protest against the American policies of Constitution first met in where new phase of its history. , on the Constitution and referred it, through Congress, to the individual Hall, with its wings, has long been considered House, the Liberty Bell was intended to be rung Great Britain. The Constitutional Convention, 1787 Memorial National Historic Site the eminent artist, was granted permission to one of the most beautiful administrative build­ on public occasions, such as the times of meet­ In May 1775, the Second Continental Con­ states for ratification. Both these great decisions were made in the now stands; then, in 1790, it came to Philadel­ use most of the building for his famous mu­ ings of the Colonial period. Its construction re­ ings of the Assembly and of the courts of gress met in the Pennsylvania State House The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual same chamber in what is now called Independence Hall, but was then phia for 10 years. Congress sat in the new seum. The remained there until Peale's quired more than 25 years. Delays originating justice. (Independence Hall) and moved from protest Union were drafted while the war was in the Pennsylvania State House. It would still be merely the old State County Court House (now known as Congress death in 1826, and his paintings, purchased by from various causes, and the alterations needed For many years the bell fulfilled its routine to resistance. In view of the fact that warfare progress, and were agreed to by the thirteenth Hall) and the United States Supreme Court in the city of Philadelphia, form the basis of the House if independence had not been achieved and if the Constitution to fit the building as the capitol of the Province, duties. During the Revolution, when the British had broken out in , the Congress State and went into effect in the last year of the the new City Hall (now known as the Supreme present collection of portraits of Revolutionary had not been ratified and put into effect. The noble building, so prevented its completion until the 1750's. Army occupied Philadelphia in 1777, the bell in the following month chose George Wash- war. Under the Articles, the Congress met in heroes still in Independence Hall. various towns, only about half the time in Court Building). In Congress Hall, George venerable to later ages, might not even have survived, but might have Washington was inaugurated for his second North Front of State House, c. 1776. Engraved by J. Rogers after The Congress Voting Independence, 1776. Painted by and Philadelphia. But Philadelphia remained the In 1818, the city of Philadelphia purchased been swept away in the surging growth of a modern city. In that Peale's Painting. Courtesy of Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Edward Savage. Courtesy of Historical Society of Pennsylvania. metropolis of the United States and here in term as President. , his successor, Independence Hall from the Commonwealth case, a few students of history would sometimes remember the site Independence Hall, in the summer of 1787, the was also inaugurated here. Meanwhile, few of Pennsylvania —a financial and spiritual in­ as the stage of those lost causes. Instead, Pennsylvania's State House Federal Convention sat to draft the Constitution cases were presented to the Supreme Court for vestment unequalled in the history of American decision, but some were quite important. During cities. A latet proposal to sell the Square fortu­ has become Independence Hall for the entire United States. Nor is which was to make the weak confederation into nately came to nothing, and the city still holds a strong Federal state. Washington, the hero of this period, therefore, the governments of the that all. On account of the Declaration of Independence, it is a shrine the formal deed executed in 1816. Since then, the new nation, was President of the Conven­ Commonwealth and the Nation were both honored wherever the rights of men are honored. On account of the Philadelphia has protected it and has performed tion. The other 54 delegates, including men of centered in the Independence Hall group of Constitution, it is a shrine cherished wherever the principles of self- an inestimable service in preserving the Inde­ the caliber of , Alexander Hamil­ buildings. With the close of the century, how­ pendence Hall group for posterity. Recently, government on a federal scale are cherished."—CARL VAN DOREN. ton, and , were the leading ever, both capitals were taken from Philadel­ the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has under­ minds of the new nation. The Convention con­ phia. In 1799, the State Government was re­ taken a notable project to acquire lands to the vened on May 25 and labored during 4 months moved to Lancaster and later to Harrisburg, and north of the Square which, when completed, The National Park System, of which the Independence National Historical Park Project is of a hot summer. The meetings, held in the in the following year the Federal Government will greatly enhance the entire setting of this a unit, is dedicated to the conservation of America's scenic, scientific, and historic heritage for same chamber in which the Declaration of In­ left Philadelphia for the new capital at Wash­ the benefit and enjoyment of the people. ington, D. C. superlative area. Independence National Historical The church graveyard contains the tombs of Franklin Court, the site of Benjamin Frank­ are open to the public with an admission charge Park Project , a signer of the Constitu­ lin's home, is located on Orianna Street. The of 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. tion of the United States; Commodore John court is entered on the north side of Chestnut Another historic site well worth a visitor's Independence National Historical Park Proj­ Barry, often called "The Father of the American Street, opposite Carpenters' Hall. Franklin's time is Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church, ect was authorized by act of Congress in 1948 Navy"; and other early notables. Visitors to the house was built on this site in 1765, and here built in 1700, and the oldest church building in upon the recommendation of the Philadelphia church and graveyard are welcome. the great statesman and sage died in 1790. The Philadelphia. It is located on Swanson Street, National Shrines Park Commission. The pur­ The Dilworth-Todd-Moylan House is house was torn down about 20 years after his near Front and Christian Streets. Christian pose of the project is to provide for Federal located on the northeast corner of Fourth and death. Street is 9 blocks south of Market Street. participation in the preservation and com­ Walnut Streets. The building was erected prior Christ Church is on the west side of Second memoration of Independence Hall, Carpenters' Service to the Public Hall, Christ Church, and surrounding historic to 1787 by Jonathan Dilworth and purchased in Street, north of Market Street. The church, sites and buildings in Philadelphia. This par­ 1791 by John Todd, Jr. Mr. Todd was an attor­ built between 1727 and 1754, is considered one Information and literature relating to Inde­ ticipation takes the form of cooperative agree­ ney and the first husband of Dolly Payne, who of the finest of the Colonial churches and its pendence National Historical Park Project may ments with three bodies which own major struc­ later married James Madison. From 1796 to preservation is assured by a cooperative agree­ be obtained at the information center in the tures and the acquisition of additional signifi­ 1810, the building was the home of Gen. ment made in 1950 between the Department of west wing of Independence Hall. Special service cant sites and buildings east of Independence Stephen Moylan, a prominent officer of the the Interior and the Corporation of Christ is provided for school classes, patriotic societies, Square. The entire undertaking is guided by an American Revolution. Church. Many famous persons, including and civic groups when arrangements are made Advisory Commission of distinguished citizens. The Bishop White House is at No. 309 , Benjamin Franklin, and with the superintendent in advance. Walnut Street, a few doors east of the Moylan , attended services in the church. House. The building was the home of the Buried in the churchyard and in the Christ Administration Points of Interest in the Project Right Reverend William White, "The Father Church cemetery, at the southeast corner of Since January 1, 1951, the Independence Hall Many of the significant historic sites in Inde­ of the American Protestant Episcopal Church," Fifth and Arch Streets, are seven signers of the group of buildings has been administered by the pendence National Historical Park Project are until his death in 1836. Declaration of Independence. The graves of National Park Service of the United States within easy walking distance of Independence The Philadelphia (Merchants') Exchange Benjamin Franklin and his wife are in the Department of the Interior as a part of Inde­ Square. The map in this leaflet will aid the is on the northeast corner of Third and Walnut cemetery. pendence National Historical Park Project. visitor in making a tour of these sites. Buildings Streets. Built between 1832 and 1834, the beauty One other historic site in Independence Na­ Under the terms of a cooperative agreement open to the public are noted. of the architecture of this building is note­ tional Historical Park Project is located some made in 1950 between the city of Philadelphia The Second Bank of the United States is worthy. The Merchants' Exchange housed the distance from Independence Square and cannot and the Department of the Interior the National east of Fifth Street, on the south side of Philadelphia Stock Exchange for many years. be shown on the leaflet map. It is the Deshler- Park Service assumed the administration and Chestnut Street. The building, considered one The First Bank of the United States is on Morris House, at 5442 Germantown Avenue, maintenance of the buildings and Independence of the finest examples of Greek revival architec­ the west side of South Third Street, between which was the home of President Washington Square, with the city retaining ownership of the ture in the United States, was erected between Walnut and Chestnut Streets, opposite the Phila­ for a short time in 1793 and again in 1794. The property. All inquiries concerning the area 1819 and 1824 to house the second Bank of the delphia Exchange. Erected in 1795, it is probably house has been restored and refurnished with should be addressed to the Superintendent, United States. After a bitter controversy between the oldest banking building in the United period pieces. The house and gardens, exhibited Independence National Historical Park Project, President Jackson and the Whigs over national States. The building later became the bank of by the Germantown Historical Society, acting Old Custom House, 420 Chestnut Street, Phila­ banking policies, the bank closed in 1836 fol­ Stephen Girard, merchant, banker, and philan­ in cooperation with the National Park Service, delphia 6, Pa. lowing expiration of its charter. From 1845 thropist. Perspective view of future development recommended by Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission. to 1934 the building was the Philadelphia Carpenters' Hall is on the south side of Custom House. Now owned by the Federal Chestnut Street, west of Third Street, at No. Government, but exhibited and maintained by 320. The Hall, built in 1770, was erected as the the Carl Schurz Memorial Foundation, the guild hall of the Carpenters' Company of Phila­ building is open to the public. delphia, organized in 1724. Here, in 1774, the St. Mary's Church is on the west side of First Continental Congress met. The building is South Fourth Street, between Locust and Spruce open to the public. A cooperative agreement Revised Feb. 1952 Ind. N.H.P. 7000 was made in 1950 between the Carpenters' Streets. Established in 1763, St. Mary's was the A 68-page historical handbook relating to Independence National Historical Park Project may be Company and the Department of the Interior principal Catholic Church in Philadelphia obtained at the area or from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C, for 25 cents. . INDEPENDENCE during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. for the preservation of the Hall. National Historical Park Project ff Pennsylvania

REPRINT 1954 Cover: Independence Hall U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1934 O-F—2948