With so much talk about “freedom” these days, I have been musing about what our Founding Fathers would make of the state of our union in 2021. What would they think of the worrisome chipping away at the underpinnings of our democracy and how the notion of freedom has morphed into a self-centered concept?
Clearly It’s unknowable how things today would line up with the Founding Fathers’ original intent but it does serve as a great impetus to visit Philadelphia to retrace their philosophical and intellectual journey.
Besides, Philadelphia is a fun city and a great travel destination.
In business since 1960, this store celebrates Philly’s spirit of fun and whimsy.
Celebrating the Constitution
For re-living the tumultuous and pivotal events that led to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the signing of our Constitution, there’s no better place to get a glimpse of those heady times than Philadelphia, where all these historical milestones took place.
One of the best places to start is the National Constitution Center where you’ll be introduced to the inspiring genius of the Founders.
The Center opened on July 4, 2003 in an impressive building with 160,000 square foot of interpretive museum space which tells the story of the U.S. Constitution and the passionate debate that surrounded it. It may be surprising to note that the Constitution wasn’t initially warmly embraced by all the framers of the document. Congress could take a lesson about how differing views can still find common ground and how to accomplish something greater than themselves.
The Center’s mission statement reads: “dedicated to increasing the public understanding of, and appreciation for, the Constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance.”
A visit to the National Constitution Center is a truly inspiring experience for all ages. It draws a million visitors a year. The exhibitions walk you through the pivotal chain of events leading up to the signing of the Constitution. Multi-media and interactive exhibitions are masterfully designed to put you in that time and place. The tour begins with a multi-media presentation in the Center’s theatre that features a live actor with film and video projection.
Using actual dialogue from some of the writings of the Constitution signers, the presentation takes you through the controversy surrounding key elements of the document. Recordings of actors reading the signers’ writings are voiced over and make the experience come alive. The original draft of the Constitution lacked a description of individual rights which was a hotly contested point at the time. In 1791, the first ten amendments to the Constitution were added and became known as the Bill of Rights.
Life-sized bronze statues of all 39 signers of the Constitution at the National Constitution Center convey the drama of the spirited debate among them.
The interactive exhibitions make it fun, too. Through video projection, you can actually take the Presidential Oath-of-Office or take the seat of a Supreme Court Justice. Also, one of the galleries on the upper level features life-size bronze sculptures of all 39 delegates who signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787. You can walk around the life-size figures and pose for a photo op with your favorite Founding Father, but be respectful — a security officer was quick to chide a couple of youngsters trying to put a baseball cap on Benjamin Franklin for a photo.
Lucky for 21st-century visitors, much of Philadelphia’s history has been preserved. That includes, of course, two of the city’s most important attractions: Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were drafted and signed, and the iconic Liberty Bell — both attractions are free to the public.
Two important historic sites — Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell — are both free to the public.
Footsteps of Freedom
William Penn might be just a little annoyed that he’s been eclipsed in the town that he founded in 1682. In 1987, the City scuttled a 100-year old city statute that prevented buildings being higher than William Penn’s statue on top of City Hall. Today, some of the buildings in the Philadelphia skyline rise well above William Penn’s perch on the grand City Hall.
A statue of William Penn, affectionately referred to as Billy Penn by locals, overlooks the city from his perch on the City Hall tower.
But Billy Penn, as he’s affectionately called by Philadelphians, can still be proud of the fact that he sits on top of the tallest masonry structure in the world. And his achievements have certainly not been eclipsed. Most notably, when William Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania (not named for himself but in memory of his father) he established a mindset that proved to be a fertile environment for democracy to take root. He is acknowledged for helping set the stage for the Constitution to be drafted and signed in Philadelphia 70 years after this death.
Philadelphia straddles two centuries — its 18th century history is evident everywhere you look while the city has 21st century amenities and attractions. For history buffs, Philadelphia is the mother lode. Even if you’re not a history buff you just might become one.
The City Center boasts a square mile that is the largest colonial historic district in the country. The historic district is comprised of numerous preserved colonial homes and shops. You can tour the historic square several ways – i.e. on foot, by horse drawn carriage and other creative ways the city provides.
Along the route of the carriage ride, you’ll be able to tour Independence Hall and see the original Declaration of Independence as well as the home of Betsy Ross who sewed the first United States flag.
Horsedrawn carriage tours stop at numerous historical sites such as the historic Betsy Ross House.
Love is All Around
From all the popular cultural references -- films, songs, etc. -- we know that Philadelphia is considered the City of Brotherly Love, but do you know why? When William Penn arrived in the region from England, he was among the first colonists who carved the path for visionary and idealistic thinking in the New World. He had bold ideas of creating a utopian society that was virtuous. He chose the name Philadelphia for the Greek word meaning “brotherly love.” So there you go, Philadelphia has come by its reputation honestly.
A Foodies Delight
The City is also known for other things like their famous hoagie sandwiches. Philadelphians love their hoagies and where to get the best hoagie is hotly contested among the locals. Cheesesteak sandwiches are another of Philadelphia’s culinary favorites. Those with more sophisticated palates also have a lot to celebrate in Philadelphia with its extraordinary fine dining. During the annual City Center Restaurant Week, the city’s popular eateries offer multi-course prix fixe lunches for $25 and dinners for $40 to enjoy indoors or outdoors at the restaurant or take-out. The next one is September 18-30, 2021. If you don’t make it for that one, you can consult the website to schedule a future visit accordingly: https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/center-city-restaurant-week/
Get Your Culture On
A visit to Philly is not only a rich living history lesson, the town offers many diverse cultural attractions. Philadelphians love culture and they have a lot to love. There is a dynamic nightlife scene with live music and performances in venues of every type from intimate clubs to the dazzling Kimmel Cultural Campus which is reopening in the Fall of 2021 after a long intermission due to COVID-19.
The city has several world-renowned art and cultural institutions; you should devote at least a whole day just to see some of the city’s museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, as well as the controversial Barnes Foundation, are all important museums to put on your itinerary.
Longwood Gardens is a worthwhile day trip outside the city, a drive less than 40 miles. Or plan a multi-day trip to explore the area — Longwood Gardens is nestled in the historic Brandywine Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania.
As I’ve indicated in a previous article on gardens, I always try to visit gardens wherever I travel. Longwood Gardens is one of the world's great gardens on 1,100 acres with amazing horticultural displays, dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ and 4.5-acre conservatory! There’s wining and dining and musical performances to be enjoyed as well. And their synchronized fountains are….well, let’s just say the Bellagio in Las Vegas has nothing on Longwood’s fountain displays. With synchronized music, fireworks and colored lights (in evenings), this is a thrilling highlight you won’t want to miss.
The synchronized water fountains at Longwood Gardens are a must-see visual feast.
For general and tourist information: visitphilly.com
photos by Lydia Kremer