Independence "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto Galloway, now turned conservative, more radical all the Inhabitants Thereof." These words from leaders were forced to assume the initiative. Leviticus inscribed around the crown of the Men like John Dickinson, eminent lawyer and Liberty Bell still cast their spell upon all who the author of the Letters of a Pennsylvania read them. They remind us of the freedoms for Farmer, that widely read pamphlet attacking the which the patriots fought the Revolutionary constitutionality of the Townshend Acts, and War. They symbolize that central purpose of Charles Thomson, the Irish-born schoolteacher American life, one still to be cherished and and merchant, who became permanent secre­ vigilantly protected. It was the Liberty Bell tary of the Continental Congress, together which was rung on the first reading of the kept Pennsylvania abreast of developments in Declaration of Independence to the citizens of the other colonies. The seat of their extralegal Philadelphia in Independence Square on July 8, activities was City Tavern, one of the historic 1776, and, according to tradition, it cracked sites in the park. Built in 1773, that hostelry when tolled on the occasion of the funeral of quickly became a focus of social, business, and Chief Justice John Marshall 59 years later. political activities for the Philadelphia elite. John Adams called it "the most genteel" tavern The Liberty Bell tolls no more, but the site in in all America. Here on May 20, 1774, came which it is located, Independence National His­ Paul Revere with news from New England that torical Park, is unique among all shrines com­ Parliament had passed a bill closing down the memorating the birth of the United States. No port of Boston. A great company gathered in other cluster of buildings and sites conjures up the tavern's long room and, after a tumultuous for us so many images of great personages and discussion, passed a resolution agreeing to the significant events associated with the com­ appointment of a committee to convey sympathy mencement and progress of the American Rev­ to the people of Boston and to assure them of olution and the founding of the Nation. At this The Market Street houses were designed and built by Benjamin Franklin in 1786-7. Philadelphia's "firm adherence to the cause of Just beyond them, through the archway, is Franklin Court and the site of Franklin's own house. site assembled the two Continental Congresses American liberty." that united the Thirteen States in the conduct of the war and the making of peace. Here was drafted, debated, and signed the Declaration of propelled himself to the top by grit and ability. Here at Franklin Court he died, but not before Independence and the Federal Constitution. In No person was more dreaded by the proprietary signing a memorial to Congress for the abolition short, the momentous decisions establishing party than Franklin, and no figure commanded of slavery—most fittingly, Franklin's last public independence, national identity, and the rule of more prestige in the Provincial Assembly con­ act. law were all made at this historic site. vened at the State House. In his celebrated Autobiography he reveals some of the events Indubitably the most renowned, Franklin was Even long before the issues of the American in which he was a leading actor. but one of a group of Philadelphians who joined Revolution had begun to take form, a remark­ with other radical leaders in setting up a model able statesman shaped the course of events in At what is now Franklin Court this man of many for a revolutionary apparatus combining mass this area. This person was so extraordinarily hats—printer, publisher, civic leader, statesman, involvement and economic warfare. Philadelphia gifted, so triumphant in so many fields that his and world-renowned scientist—built a house in became a principal seat of such operations. The feats dating back a generation before the out­ which he lived intermittently during the early protest demonstrations and the boycott ma­ break of war with Great Britain have cast a years of the Revolution before being sent to chinery developed in response to Parliamentary legendary spell over the sites with which he France to help gain that nation's support for the tax measures were largely centered or created was associated, most of them right here in American cause. To Franklin Court he returned in the area now covered by Independence Independence National Historical Park. Ben­ after his triumphs in Paris, to resume a life of National Historical Park. jamin Franklin, who arrived in Philadelphia enormous influence as President of the Execu­ a penniless waif, disheveled and friendless, tive Council of Pennsylvania and finally as dele­ To circumvent a lukewarm Assembly dominated National Historical Park, Pennsylvania walking up Market Street munching a puffy roll, gate to the Federal Constitutional Convention. by Franklin's long-time political partner, Joseph City Tavern A Tour of the Park First Bank of the United States, Franklin Court is the site of The Liberty Bell Christ Church, built between Not shown on the map are Administration built between 1795 and 1797 the handsome brick home of la 1751 the Pennsylvania 1727 and 1754, is a fine exam­ other areas of the park and a Independence National His­ as the home of the "govern­ Benjamin Franklin, who lived Assembly ordered from Eng­ ple of a colonial church. Seven national historic site: torical Park was authorized by ment's banker," is probably here while serving in the Con­ land a bell for the State House signers of the Declaration of Act of Congress in 1948 to the oldest bank building in the tinental Congress, the Consti­ to commemorate the 50th Independence (including Ben­ The Deshter-Morris House, assure the preservation of United States. (Open 1976.) tutional Convention, and as atniversary of the Pennsyl­ jamin Franklin) are buried in 5442 Germantown Ave., was several historic buildings President of Pennsylvania. He vania Charter of Privileges, the cemetery and churchyard. erected in 1772-73 and served around Independence Hall in Philadelphia Exchange was died here in 1790; the house the democratic constitution as the home of President the heart of Philadelphia. By designed by William Strickland was torn down about 20 years William Penn granted his St. Joseph's Church, estab­ Washington during the sum­ an agreement in 1950 between and built between 1832 and later. (Open 1976.) colony in 1701. The bell lished in 1733 as the first mers of 1793 and 1794. (Open the City of Philadelphia and 1834. It housed the Philadel­ cracked while being tested, Roman Catholic church in 1976.) the Department of the Interior, phia Stock Exchange for many Second Bank of the United and John Pass and John Stow, Philadelphia, is possibly the the National Park Service years. Only the exterior has States, a fine example of Greek two ingenious workmen" of only church in the United St. George's Church, 235 North administers the Independence been restored. (Not open to Revival Architecture, was de­ Philadelphia, recast it. Be­ States in which Mass has been Fourth St., is the oldest Meth­ Hall group of buildings and the public.) signed by William Strickland cause the tone was not satis­ celebrated continuously for odist Church in the United Independence Square, but the and built between 1819 and factory, they cast it a second more than 200 years. States and, except for the city retains ownership of the property. A superintendent, Bishop White House. Bishop 1824. It houses the park's time. U afterwards served as winter of 1777-78, has been in whose address is 313 Walnut William White, rector of Christ portrait gallery. Pennsylvania's official bell on City Tavern, "the most genteel constant use since 1769. St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, is Church and St. Peter's Church, public occasions until 1835, tavern in America," quickly in immediate charge. and the first Episcopal Bishop Library Hall, built originally for when, according to tradition, it became the social center of Mikveh Israel Cemetery, at of Pennsylvania, built this the Library Company of Phila­ cacked while tolling during Philadelphia. Banquets and Ninth and Spruce Sts., was house in 1786-87. He lived here delphia in 1789-90, has been the funeral of Chief Justice receptions were held here for established in 1738 and is the As the Nation's principal con­ until his death in 1836. reconstructed and is occupied John Marshall. This is the bell the Continental and Federal oldest Jewish cemetery in the servation agency, the Depart­ by the library of the American you see in the Pavilion across Congresses. It has been re­ city. Haym Salomon, a finan­ ment of the Interior has Todd House, built in 1775, Philosophical Society. It is from Independence Hall. constructed as an operating cier of the Revolution, is buried responsibility for most of our was occupied from 1791 to open to use by scholars. 18th-century tavern. here. nationally owned public lands 1793 by John Todd, Jr., and his The Liberty Bell's traditional and natural resources. This in­ wife, Dolley Payne. She later Philosophical Hall. The Ameri­ associations with the events of Graff House was originally Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') cludes fostering the wisest use married President James can Philosophical Society, the American Revolution and built in 1775 by Jacob Graff, Church National Historic Site, of our land and water re­ Madison. founded by Benjamin Franklin its prophetic "Proclaim Jr., a bricklayer. From May to at Delaware Ave. and Swanson sources, protecting our fish in 1743, is the oldest learned Liberty" inscription have made July 1776 Thomas Jefferson St., was built in 1700 and is and wildlife, preserving the Carpenters' Hall was built in society in America.