National Park Service No. 125 - July 2019 U.S. Department of the Interior NPS NEWS Independence Welcome to National Historical Park Welcome to Independence Historic National Historical Park The Historic Philadelphia Gazette is always FREE Philadelphia! 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! many special events and programs available only Some stories may be well known to you and You are in the heart of history and we have so IN THIS ISSUE in the summer. some may be new. I hope your visit to the park many stories to tell you! You’ll meet History Summer means celebration! will enlighten you with new stories of the people Makers in person, hear from storytellers at Page 2 We remember the great events of 1776 and and places of our revolutionary era. A visit to Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches, 1787 and the people whose wisdom and any national park brings opportunities for drill with the Continental Army and more. Once Upon A Nation foresight established the principles of govern- adventure with family and friends. We’re Whether you have a couple of hours or a couple Storytelling Benches ment for this great nation before the federal gearing up for our nation’s 250th birthday in of days to spend, check out the helpful informa- 2026 and that means a bigger than ever celebra- National Constitution Center government moved to Washington D.C. We tion in the Gazette to help you make the most remember people whose stories are lesser known tion of Independence. of your visit. Begin your day at the Indepen- City Tavern Coupon but still vital to understanding the United States Details about programs, events and tours are dence Visitor Center, where you can pick up of America. We tell stories of revolution, stories available at the Independence Visitor Center, your free, timed Independence Hall tickets. Page 3 of individuals who struggled and fought for on our website at www.nps.gov/inde or in our Seeing the room where our Declaration of human rights, and stories of many people mobile app – just search for NPS Independence Independence was debated and adopted is a Historic District uniting behind their common values and beliefs. in your mobile app store. I encourage you must... especially during the month where we Happenings Of course, we also mark the 243rd anniversary to start your visit at our Independence celebrate our freedom! of Independence Day with pomp and dignity. Visitor Center. Page 4 Speaking of celebrating Independence, there July 8th is also a unique day on Independence Cynthia MacLeod are plenty of ways to do it all over the Historic Superintendent Programs & Tours Square when we re-enact the rst public reading District in July. Check out the National Constitution Center’s All-American Celebra- Page 5 tion (see p. 2) and the special events at the Museum of the American Revolution, which Fourth of July Activities Historic Highlights Museum Highlights tell the story of American ght for indepen- Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House Museum of the American Revolution, National Page 6 dence in an interactive and dynamic way. Constitution Center ere’s no bigger celebration of America’s National Park Service Birthday than Wawa Welcome America! With special events throughout Historic Philadelphia Page 7 (and beyond), there’s something for everyone. See the details on p. 5. Site Hours Inside, nd everything else you need to know Page 8 to have a great visit. ere’s information about Once Upon A Nation’s amazing Independence Map After Hours, a one-of-a-kind experience that gives you the inside story of the writing of the Declaration (and sneaks you into Independence Hall at night!) and free programs that bring the past to life for the whole family (p. 4 ), a map Liberty Bell Museum of the American Revolution (on the back) and lots more valuable informa- tion to help make your visit a memorable one. Some of the most unique and rewarding The Gazette is available Attraction Highlights Tours Highlights also on the Web at experiences you’ll have in Historic Philadelphia historicphiladelphia.org Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches, Independence After Hours, Twilight Tour will be meeting Once Upon A Nation’s History History Maker Meet & Greets Makers – people from the past who will share Like us on their uniquely interesting stories – and at the Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches, where you’ll hear little known tales from facebook.com/historicphilly our nation’s early years. See the map for locations, and plan to visit some or all of the Follow us on 13 benches during the day to hear stories that history class missed. From meeting Betsy Ross in her upholstery twitter.com/historicphilly shop, to marching with the Continental Army in a military muster, to hearing the stirring Photos by: words of the Declaration read in the shadow Acroterion, K. Ciappa, M. Edlow,D. Cruz, M. Fischetti, J. Fusco, R. Kennedy, of Independence Hall, you’re sure to make memories that last a lifetime and become part J. Holder, M. Kennedy, C. Smyth, Independence Visitor Center Independence After Hours G. Widman, M. Parker, B. Krist, E. Savaria, of your story! A. Sinagoga, Tianyu, G. Widman 2 No. 125 - July 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 EVENTS All-American Celebration 2019 freedom through the lens of the American Independence Week Concert July 1-4 Revolution. e program will provide an July 3, 2 p.m. Celebrate with historic character meet and expanded understanding of Independence Enjoy a festive, free, outdoor concert greets, where visitors can interact with Day–one that sees the holiday performed by the USAF Heritage of America famous gures from history such as Founding as both a celebration and an acknowledgment Concert Band, a group of over 40 profes- Father John Adams. Join the sta each of America’s ongoing struggle to achieve the sional Airman-musicians who captivate morning for a spirited ag raising ceremony, ideals expressed in the nation’s founding audiences on regular tours throughout the and then again in the evenings as they lower documents. East Coast with a variety of renditions of the ag. Visit constitutioncenter.org for great orchestral classics, marches, Broadway Free with admission. the schedule of programs, topics, and meeting hits, jazz standards, movie music, and points. Free. patriotic favorites. Finding the Founders Scholarly Presented in partnership with the U.S. Air Talks and Walking Tours Revolutionary War Encampment Force Heritage of America Band. Free. July 2, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 2-4 e National Constitution Center is At the recreated military encampment at the $5 After 5 p.m. Trivia Night partnering with sites throughout Historic National Constitution Center, visitors can July 3, 5-8 p.m. Philadelphia for this annual event. Scholars step back in time to watch a blacksmith forge Participate in an evening of trivia, based on will share their insights on equality and iron, practice being a Revolutionary-era iCivic’s popular online, educational games, soldier with a wooden musket, stop by the like “Do I Have the Right?” medical tent to visit the surgeon, and observe Free with admission, which is $5 after 5 p.m. Show Your Continental Army soldiers march and drill HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA GAZETTE Historic Philadelphia Gazette on the grounds. Presented in partnership with 525 Arch Street (One block past the the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment. Free. Independence Visitor Center and one block at the National Constitution Center Museum admission not included The Historic Philadelphia Gazette, is a joint venture of before Franklin Square) See p.