National Park Service No. 124 - June 2019 U.S. Department of the Interior NPS NEWS Independence Welcome to National Historical Park Welcome to Independence Historic The Historic Philadelphia Gazette National Historical Park Philadelphia! is always FREE You’re visiting at one of the most exciting times of the Declaration of Independence. Come of the year, so be sure to take advantage of our participate! You are in the heart of history and we have so many many special events and programs available only Some stories may be well known to you and stories to tell you! You’ll meet History Makers in IN THIS ISSUE in the summer. some may be new. I hope your visit to the park person, hear from storytellers at Once Upon A Summer means celebration! will enlighten you with new stories of the people Nation Storytelling Benches, drill with the Continental Army Page 2 We remember the great events of 1776 and and places of our revolutionary era. A visit to and more. 1787 and the people whose wisdom and any national park brings opportunities for Whether you have a couple of hours or a couple of Once Upon a Nation foresight established the principles of govern- adventure with family and friends. We’re days to spend, check out the helpful information in Storytelling Benches ment for this great nation before the federal gearing up for our nation’s 250th birthday in the Gazette to help you make the most of your visit. 2026 and that means a bigger than ever celebra- Begin your day at the Independence Visitor National Constitution Center government moved to Washington D.C. We remember people whose stories are lesser known tion of Independence. Center, where you can pick up your free, timed City Tavern Coupon but still vital to understanding the United States Details about programs, events and tours are Independence Hall tickets. Seeing the room where of America. We tell stories of revolution, stories available at the Independence Visitor Center, our Declaration of Independence was debated and Page 3 of individuals who struggled and fought for on our website at www.nps.gov/inde or in our adopted is a must! human rights, and stories of many people mobile app – just search for NPS Independence You won’t want to miss the National Constitution Historic District uniting behind their common values and beliefs. in your mobile app store. I encourage you to Center’s new permanent exhibit Civil War and Happenings Of course, we also mark the 243rd anniversary start your visit at our Independence Visitor Reconstruction. Check out the neighborhood’s of Independence Day with pomp and dignity. Center. newest attraction, Museum of the American Page 4 July 8th is also a unique day on Independence Cynthia MacLeod Revolution, which tells the story of the American Square when we re-enact the rst public reading Superintendent Independence After Hours ght for independence in an interactive and dynamic way. Programs & Tours is month also features the 12th annual Flag Fest, Historic Highlights Museum Highlights a weeklong celebration of our Stars & Stripes at the Page 5 Betsy Ross House that kicks o Sunday, June 9 Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House Museum of the American Revolution, National Flag Festival 2019 (with donuts) and continues all week with daytime Constitution Center and evening events, and culminates with a full day Philadelphia Chinese of FREE family fun on Stars & Stripes Saturday, Lantern Festival June 15. On Flag Day, June 14, the Betsy Ross House hosts the City of Philadelphia’s Ocial Page 6 Flag Day commemoration and admission is FREE courtesy of Dr. Jeery Kenneth Kohn. National Park Service See page 5 for details. Page 7 Inside, nd everything else you need to know to have a great visit. ere’s information about Once Site Hours Upon A Nation’s amazing Independence After Hours, a one-of-a-kind experience that gives you Page 8 the inside story of the writing of the Declaration (and sneaks you into Independence Hall at night!) Map Liberty Bell Museum of the American Revolution and free programs that bring the past to life for the whole family (pages 4 & 5), a map (on the back) and lots more valuable information to help make The Gazette is available Attraction Highlights Tours Highlights your visit a memorable one. also on the Web at Some of the most unique and rewarding experiences historicphiladelphia.org Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches, Independence After Hours, Twilight Tour you’ll have in Historic Philadelphia will be meeting History Maker Meet & Greets Once Upon A Nation’s History Makers –people Like us on from the past who will share their uniquely interesting stories–and at the Once Upon A Nation facebook.com/historicphilly Storytelling Benches, where you’ll hear little known tales from our nation’s early years. See the map for locations, and plan to visit some or all of the 13 Follow us on benches during the day to hear stories that history class missed. twitter.com/historicphilly From meeting Betsy Ross in her upholstery shop, to marching with the Continental Army in a Photos by: military muster, to hearing the stirring words of the Acroterion, K. Ciappa, M. Edlow,D. Cruz, Declaration read in the shadow of Independence M. Fischetti, J. Fusco, R. Kennedy, Hall, you’re sure to make memories that last a J. Holder, M. Kennedy, C. Smyth, Independence Visitor Center Independence After Hours G. Widman, M. Parker, B. Krist, E. Savaria, lifetime and become part of your story! A. Sinagoga, Tianyu, G. Widman 2 No. 124 - June 2019 Independence National Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches... Historical Park Telling the Stories You Haven’t Heard As you wander the streets of Historic Phila- who join to create a revolutionary organiza- delphia, you may be wondering, what’s the tion devoted to ending the practice of slavery. story with the benches? Well, stop and listen All the tales are family-friendly, and many are and you will discover that visits to the Once interactive. Children can pick up a Story Flag Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches will be among the at any storytelling bench, then collect a star from every most unique and memorable experiences you will have storyteller on their journey. Flags with all the stars can be during your trip. redeemed for a History Hero Scattered at 13 locations Certicate and a free carousel throughout Historic Philadel- ride on the Parx Liberty phia (see the map on the back Carousel in Franklin Square, for locations), the benches are 6th and Race streets. home to specially-trained ere are nearly 90 stories storytellers who will delight being told in all. You’ll hear of you with FREE, short stories, slavery and surage, doctors sharing the secrets of Philadel- and disease, patriots and pirates phia’s and America’s history. and everything in between. You You will nd the past and present intertwined in will be amazed at what you didn’t know about tales like Dinner Table Diplomacy: Martha Washing- American history and we hope you’ll take our ton rows a Party, the story of dinner parties stories back home with you and make them part thrown by the Washingtons to encourage connec- of your story. tions among political foes and Speaking Up: e For more information about Historic Philadelphia, Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, a tale of Inc.’s Once Upon A Nation Storytelling program, ardent female abolitionists, both white and of color, visit historicphiladelphia.org. FEATURED FEATURED EVENTS EXHIBIT Stripes and Stars Festival moving naturalization Sensory-Friendly Sunday June 14 ceremony. Sunday, June 23, 2019 Civil War and Reconstruction Philadelphia celebrates the Most Stripes and Stars Festival NOW OPEN! e National Constitution shared birthday of two of events in Historic Philadelphia Center is excited to oer a are free and open to the public. Civil War and Reconstruction: e our country’s greatest more accessible museum Battle for Freedom and Equality, is institutions–the American FOURTEEN: A eatri- experience for individuals the rst in America devoted to ag and the U.S. Army. of all abilities and their exploring how constitutional is annual festival takes cal Performance Tues. through Sat. from families on multiple dates clashes over slavery set the stage for place at locations through- throughout 2019. the Civil War, and how the nation out Independence Nation- June 19 transformed the Constitution after al Historical Park and During this limited Sensory-Friendly Sundays the war to more fully embrace the Historic Philadelphia, production run, visitors will provide visitors with Declaration of Independence’s including Independence can experience a moving a variety of sensory proces- promise of liberty and equality. Hall, Betsy Ross House, theatrical performance that sing challenges along with Included with museum admission. and the National Constitu- sheds new light on the the opportunity to experi- tion Center. Events Reconstruction era and the ence the museum in a include ag raising ratication of the 14th more secure and comfor- Show Your ceremonies, a patriotic Amendment. table environment. Historic Philadelphia Gazette parade, giant ag folding Included with museum Included with museum HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA GAZETTE demonstrations, and a admission. admission. at the National Constitution Center The Historic Philadelphia Gazette, is a joint venture of Box Office to Receive 525 Arch Street (One block past the Independence Visitor Center and Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the National Park Service, the $2 OFF Admission one block before Franklin Square) See p. 3 for hours of operation. For Independence Visitor Center Corporation and the more information, please visit constitutioncenter.org National Constitution Center. If you have questions, comments or need more information about National Park Service sites or other Savor specialties including historical sites in Philadelphia and its countryside, call pepperpot soup, Martha it takes two (800) 537-7676 or visit nps.gov/inde.