National Park Service No. 112 - November - December 2017 U.S. Department of the Interior Franklin Square Holiday Festival Highlights the Season Independence Electrical Spectacle lights up the night starting November 9 National Historical Park Franklin Square celebrates the magic of the visitors by the fountain holiday season Nov. 9-Dec. 31 with the return of from 5:30-7:30 p.m. e Franklin Square Holiday Festival featuring and enjoy Seasonal PRESENTED BY The Historic Philadelphia Gazette Electrical Spectacle presented by PECO. More Sounds on Sundays, is always FREE than 50,000 lights shimmer, dance, and illumi- with local talent sing- nate the Square to a soundtrack of holiday ing holiday favorites. Visit classics, during two shows alternating shows every historicphiladelphia.org for IN THIS ISSUE 30 minutes, 4:30-8 p.m. a complete schedule. Plan to spend New Year’s Between shows, warm up around the re pits or Eve in Historic Philadelphia. Celebrate Betsy inside Ben’s Sweets & Treats, which oers Ross’ 266th birthday at the Betsy Ross House comfort foods and warm beverages. Kids of all from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with entertainment, Page 2 ages will love the fresh donuts, cookie decorating crafts and, of course, cake! en, head over to and other holiday favorites and for grown-ups, the Franklin Square to ring in 2018. Join the Winter Beer Garden serves local beers nightly. annual countdown to 6 p.m., complete with Historic District Don’t miss weekly events like #FranklinSquare- “Square Drop” and stick around for a great Happenings Fridays, special family-friendly celebrations of the view of the Penn’s Landing reworks and a Grinch, Hanukkah, movies like Star Wars and dance party. Santa National Constitution Frozen and more. Jingle and mingle on For more information, visit historicphiladelphia.org Saturdays, when the big guy will be greeting or call (215) 629-4026. Center City Tavern Start Your Holiday Season at the Independence Visitor Center Page 3 When holiday shopping or sightseeing brings you • Colonial Carolers, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Historic Site & Map to Historic Philadelphia, start at the Indepedence Nov. 24 & 25; Dec. 21-23 and 28-30. Location Visitor Center! Warm up and enjoy holiday décor Sing along to your holiday favorites and and seasonal programming, including: pose with the carolers for a perfect holiday • Extended Hours, 8:30 a.m-7 p.m., Nov. card photo. Page 4 24-25 and Dec. 26-30. e Independence • Holiday History Makers, 11 a.m-3 p.m., Visitor Center will extend its hours of opera- Nov. 24 & 25; Dec. 26-30. Meet Philadel- Map tion until 7 p.m. to welcome visitors. phia’s colonial townsfolk who oer tales, • Winter Storytelling, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 24 anecdotes and good cheer about living in & 25; Dec. 21-23 and 28-30. Huddle around 18th-century Philadelphia. the Storytelling Bench and listen to tales about the cold winter of 1776, like Washington’s For more information, please call epic journey across the Delaware River. (800) 537-7676 or visit PHLvisitorcenter.com. Celebrate Historic Holiday Nights in Old City Special Holiday Hours ursdays at the Betsy Ross House and local businesses for Philly PHLASH Old City District and the Betsy Ross House are season. In addition, get all of your holiday shopping e Philly PHLASH® Downtown Loop is the most The Gazette teaming up to present Historic Holiday Nights in done in one place, and enjoy some seasonal dishes convenient and aordable way to get is available also on the Web at Old City, 5-8 p.m. ursdays starting November and sips in Old City! Participating businesses in the around Philadelphia this holiday historicphiladelphia.org 30. Enjoy holiday-themed entertainment, snacks, neighborhood will treat visitors to special sales, season. With service to 22 stops and more in the Betsy Ross House courtyard, which promotions and menu items. For more information, between Penn’s Landing and the Like us on will feature a specially-designed holiday tree for the visit historicphiladelphia.org. Please Touch Museum, the PHLASH provides access to the city’s must-see holiday attractions and shopping districts. facebook.com/historicphilly e PHLASH runs every 15 minutes from 10 It’s the most wonderful time... for a beer! a.m.-6 p.m., every Fri.-Sun., through November Follow us on 19. Daily service for the holiday season runs Fri., Raise a glass of cheer on Yuletide Cheers & Beers, 16 through Dec. 28 with cider from Austin East Nov. 24 – Sun., Dec. 31 (No service on anks- Once Upon A Nation’s Colonial pub crawl through Ciders and snacks from Fezziwig’s (no tour on giving or Christmas Day). Passes are just $2 per twitter.com/historicphilly Historic Philadelphia. It is 1777 and the British are anksgiving). Tickets go quickly for this popular, ride or $5 for an all-day pass. Purchase onboard occupying Philadelphia... will there be holiday holiday event, so reserve a spot by visiting with cash & exact change; at any Visitor Center; or celebrations during this tumultuous time? Step with online. Seniors, children 4 and under, and SEPTA Photos by: Acroterion, K. Ciappa, us into the holiday season in charming Old City, historicphiladelphia.org or calling (215) 629-4026. D. Cruz, M. Edlow, J. Fusco, Departs from the Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street; Pass and Key holders ride free! M. Kennedy, R. Kennedy, B. Krist, circa 1777, while enjoying winter brews and delicious For more information, please call (800) 537-7676 or Michael Parker, E. Savaria, snacks at four local taverns. e two-hour tour begins Ad. $50; Sr./Mil/Stud.$45; (tastings & gratuity visit PhillyPHLASH.com. G. Widman at the Betsy Ross House 5:30 p.m. ursdays Nov. included, 21 and over with valid ID only). Snowflakes background: freepik.com 2 No. 112 November - December 2017 Independence National HISTORIC DISTRICT HAPPENINGS Historical Park NOVEMBER Second Bank Portrait Gallery, 3-3:30 p.m.: Betsy Ross House, 12-5 p.m. ur.-Sun.: NOVEMBER 4 e First Americans – See Nov. 4 for details. Meet Phillis the Laundress – - Meet Phillis, Betsy Ross House, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Colonial NOVEMBER 25 a free woman of color, who lived in a growing and active community of free blacks Chocolate Making – Learn how women Betsy Ross House, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Colonial Chocolate Making – See Nov. 4 for details. in 18th century Philadelphia. played an active role during the Revolution – Free. (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org from making military supplies to choosing DECEMBER Independence Visitor Center, 4-4:15 p.m. “patriotic” beverages like chocolate and coee, daily: – Junior Ranger Induction rather than tea. Sponsored by AMERICAN DECEMBER 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 30, 31 Second Bank Portrait Gallery, 3-3:30 p.m.: Ceremony – After completing the Junior HERITAGE® Chocolate. Free. Ranger Booklet, children can meet a park (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org Washington Crossing the Delaware Revisit the events surrounding the famous ranger at the information desk at the visitor Museum of the American Revolution, Christmas night journey as Washington a center to receive their badge and be “sworn 12-4 p.m.: Holiday Kick-O featuring nd his troops crossed the icy river into New in” as National Park Service junior rangers. Nutcracker 1776 – Free. (800) 537-7676, nps.gov/inde Enjoy a mini-perfor- Jersey to confront the British forces. mance of this historically-inspired spin o of Free. (800) 537-7676, nps.gov/inde the classic ballet. Free with admission. (215) 253-6731, amrevmuseum.org/event NOVEMBER 4, 5, 18, 19 Second Bank Portrait Gallery, SPECIAL EVENTS 3-3:30 p.m.: e First Americans Veterans Day with Free Admission - Nov. 11 Meet a Park Ranger for a program to Recognize the dedication and sacrices of commemorate Native American the brave men and women who have History Month. answered the Constitution’s call to Free. (800) 537-7676, nps.gov/inde “provide for the common defense” with NOVEMBER 10-12 special events, including a wreath laying Museum of the American Revolution, ceremony, patriotic concerts, engaging 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Veterans Day Week- Washington Crossing the Delaware - Emanuel Leutze civic education programs, and more. end – Free admission to veterans and active Free admission courtesy of Macy’s. DECEMBER 26-31 military, plus special programs and activities Bill of Right’s Day - Dec. 15 - Celebrate the Museum of the American Revolution, celebrating early American soldiers. Free with anniversary of the Bill of Rights, which 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Winter Break – admission. Explore gave us many of the rights and freedoms (215) 253-6731, amrevmuseum.org/events the stories of the people who lived in the we enjoy today. View a rare, original copy neighborhood in the 18th century with a of the historic Bill of Rights, learn about NOVEMBER 11 & 12 variety of activities Free with admission. the rst ten amendments during interac- Second Bank Portrait Gallery, 3-3:30 p.m.: (215) 253-6731, amrevmuseum.org/events tive games and shows, enjoy a special tour Remembering our Early Veterans – Learn DECEMBER 31 of Signers’ Hall, and more. more about the Continental Army and Navy Betsy Ross House, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Betsy’s $5 admission in this program highlighting the struggles of Birthday Bash – the newly created Armed Forces during the Popular, annual event SPECIAL EXHIBITS American Revolution. celebrates the January 1, 1752 birth of John Marshall: Patriot, Statesman, Chief Free. (800) 537-7676, nps.gov/inde America’s most famous ag maker. Choco- Justice - Now open - Get to know Chief late making demonstrations sponsored by Second Bank Portrait Gallery, 4-4:30 p.m.: Justice John Marshall, a hero of the U.S.