Sunday 12th December 2004 - Philadelphia Walkabout Pt II
So, I had a huge breakfast, then set out to pick up the Trolley Bus tour.
It was a cold day but, at least, it wasn't raining. With these guided bus tours, you can jump on and off at any of the stops, wander round, then pick up the tour again later. This is the first time I've ever done one, but I would recommend them. You get to see a lot of the city, for a reasonable amount of money, and pick up a lot of useful trivia along the way.
It was a cold day but, at least, it wasn't raining. With these guided bus tours, you can jump on and off at any of the stops, wander round, then pick up the tour again later. This is the first time I've ever done one, but I would recommend them. You get to see a lot of the city, for a reasonable amount of money, and pick up a lot of useful trivia along the way.
The Bourse
The tour starts at the one-time stock exchange, The Bourse.
This area of the city was originally the seat of world power, especially during the ten years that Philadelphia was America's capital city. The Philadelphia Bourse was the first in the world to simultaneously house a stock exchange, maritime exchange, and grain-trading center but, over time, the city movers and shakers moved west. The Bourse was renovated to its current state in 1982, and features a combination shopping mall and office complex.
This area of the city was originally the seat of world power, especially during the ten years that Philadelphia was America's capital city. The Philadelphia Bourse was the first in the world to simultaneously house a stock exchange, maritime exchange, and grain-trading center but, over time, the city movers and shakers moved west. The Bourse was renovated to its current state in 1982, and features a combination shopping mall and office complex.
Independence Hall
The Declaration of Independence was adopted here.
The Constitution was debated, drafted, and signed here.
This building is essentially the birth place of the USA.
The Constitution was debated, drafted, and signed here.
This building is essentially the birth place of the USA.
Congress Hall
When Philadelphia was the capital of the USA, between 1790 & 1800, the first floor of Congress Hall was occupied by the House of Representatives. The second floor housed the upper house, or the Senate, which is where today's terminology comes from.
The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell. Has a ring to it, wouldn't you say?
Muahahaha! Yeah, cheap, I know.
These days, The Liberty Bell is housed in an air-conditioned, climate controlled, purpose-built, bulletproof, soulless, little pavillion. I understand why it is so but, really, it just looks a bit silly. It's a bloody bell! A broken one, at that.
Click here for more
Muahahaha! Yeah, cheap, I know.
These days, The Liberty Bell is housed in an air-conditioned, climate controlled, purpose-built, bulletproof, soulless, little pavillion. I understand why it is so but, really, it just looks a bit silly. It's a bloody bell! A broken one, at that.
Click here for more
Betsy Ross's House
Betsy Ross's House where, indeed, she sewed the original Stars and Bars flag.
Or, not. I did a bit of digging around and, not only is there no actual evidence that Ms Ross (she liked to be called that) sewed up the first Stars and Bars for George W. Indeed, there even seems to be a question as to whether she lived in the house!
You know you're old when nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
According to Wikipedia:
'Research conducted by the National Museum of American History notes that the story of Betsy Ross making the first American flag for General George Washington entered into American consciousness about the time of the 1876 centennial celebrations.[16] In 1870 Ross's grandson, William J. Canby, presented a paper to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in which he claimed that his grandmother had "made with her hands the first flag" of the United States.[17] Canby said he first obtained this information from his aunt Clarissa Sydney (Claypoole) Wilson in 1857, twenty years after Betsy Ross's death. Canby dates the historic episode based on Washington's journey to Philadelphia, in late spring 1776, a year before Congress passed the Flag Act.[18]
In the 2008 book The Star-Spangled Banner: The Making of an American Icon, Smithsonian experts point out that Canby's recounting of the event appealed to Americans eager for stories about the revolution and its heroes and heroines. Betsy Ross was promoted as a patriotic role model for young girls and a symbol of women's contributions to American history.[19] Historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich further explored this line of enquiry in a 2007 article, "How Betsy Ross Became Famous: Oral Tradition, Nationalism, and the Invention of History."[20] Ross biographer Marla Miller points out, however, that even if one accepts Canby's presentation, Betsy Ross was merely one of several flag makers in Philadelphia, and her only contribution to the design was to change the 6-pointed stars to the easier 5-pointed stars.[21]'
Or, not. I did a bit of digging around and, not only is there no actual evidence that Ms Ross (she liked to be called that) sewed up the first Stars and Bars for George W. Indeed, there even seems to be a question as to whether she lived in the house!
You know you're old when nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
According to Wikipedia:
'Research conducted by the National Museum of American History notes that the story of Betsy Ross making the first American flag for General George Washington entered into American consciousness about the time of the 1876 centennial celebrations.[16] In 1870 Ross's grandson, William J. Canby, presented a paper to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in which he claimed that his grandmother had "made with her hands the first flag" of the United States.[17] Canby said he first obtained this information from his aunt Clarissa Sydney (Claypoole) Wilson in 1857, twenty years after Betsy Ross's death. Canby dates the historic episode based on Washington's journey to Philadelphia, in late spring 1776, a year before Congress passed the Flag Act.[18]
In the 2008 book The Star-Spangled Banner: The Making of an American Icon, Smithsonian experts point out that Canby's recounting of the event appealed to Americans eager for stories about the revolution and its heroes and heroines. Betsy Ross was promoted as a patriotic role model for young girls and a symbol of women's contributions to American history.[19] Historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich further explored this line of enquiry in a 2007 article, "How Betsy Ross Became Famous: Oral Tradition, Nationalism, and the Invention of History."[20] Ross biographer Marla Miller points out, however, that even if one accepts Canby's presentation, Betsy Ross was merely one of several flag makers in Philadelphia, and her only contribution to the design was to change the 6-pointed stars to the easier 5-pointed stars.[21]'
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Fire Badge.
Back in th'old days, if the fire dept came along to your burning house and you didn't have one of these, they let it burn. The Contributionship was an early form of buildings insurance |
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After a hard day a-sewing, Betsy liked to pop across the road to her favourite Olde Coffee Shoppe for a half-caf latte, with non-fat milk, half-fat-cream, and a sprinkling of cinnamon.
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Ben Franklin's grave.
Apparently, it is considered lucky to throw pennies on his grave. Around $6000 a year is collected for charity from the grave. |
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Penn Sq and Broad St
Allegedly, this 'sculpture' in Center City represents two people kissing.
Hmmm. Oh, it's 'Art'.
Nope. Still looks like a clothes peg to me.
My daughter pointed out that, if that is the case, it represents two lesbians kissing.
Hmmm. Oh, it's 'Art'.
Nope. Still looks like a clothes peg to me.
My daughter pointed out that, if that is the case, it represents two lesbians kissing.
This building on The Avenue of the Arts (Broad St) was used for the Gentleman's Club in the film Trading Places.
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View from the back of the bus looking down Broad St, which is the longest straight street in the city.
The Broad Street Ministry building at 315 South Broad Street |
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Pine St and Antiques Row
"I see dead people." Well, not surprising, hanging around cemeteries...
The Pine St cemetery (left) was featured in M. Night Ramalamdingdong's movie, The Sixth Sense.
Pine St gets older as you move down it, from Broad St to Society Hill, and features Antiques Row (below). Shots of this part of town can be seen in a lot in movies and tv shows.
The Pine St cemetery (left) was featured in M. Night Ramalamdingdong's movie, The Sixth Sense.
Pine St gets older as you move down it, from Broad St to Society Hill, and features Antiques Row (below). Shots of this part of town can be seen in a lot in movies and tv shows.
Arch St to Center City
Exactly as it says on the sign!
The journey back towards Center City involves Arch St, one of the many historic streets in Philadelphia.
It's an, er, interesting part of town. You can get a fantastic tattoo down the bottom end...
The journey back towards Center City involves Arch St, one of the many historic streets in Philadelphia.
It's an, er, interesting part of town. You can get a fantastic tattoo down the bottom end...
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Monument to Thaddeus Kosciuszko who was instrumental in helping the US win the Civil War.
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Monument to the fallen of WWI.
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Kiddie jail...
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Rodin Museum
Newlyweds favour having pictures taken in the entrance to the museum, apparently. This is appropriately named 'The Gateway to Hell'!
I was puzzled as to why there should be a museum to Rodin in Philadelphia. So, I made a longer visit to The Rodin Museum on one of my later US trips.
Click here for more
I was puzzled as to why there should be a museum to Rodin in Philadelphia. So, I made a longer visit to The Rodin Museum on one of my later US trips.
Click here for more
Fairmount
"I see dead people" II.
This house is used in the scene where freakboy is locked in the room at the top of the stairs in 'The Sixth Sense'.
This house is used in the scene where freakboy is locked in the room at the top of the stairs in 'The Sixth Sense'.
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Eastern State Penitentiary, when it was built, was one of a new style of prison to feature cells radiating out from a central core. It was felt that this would be more conducive to inmate rehabilitation.
Famous lodgers include Al Capone, and a bank robber called Slick Willie Sutton who, in 1945, tunneled out and stole newspaper headlines over the allied victory in WWII. |
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A really fine example of Art Deco:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art on the corner of Fairmount and Pennsylvania Ave. |
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Fairmount Water Works
You have, probably, played the board game, Monopoly, at some time in your life. Depending on your version of the game, the board is different. It could be London or, Atlantic City, the principle is the same: CRUSH YOUR OPPONENT! Maybe, I should switch to decaf...
Anyway, one of the inventors of Monopoly was from nearby Germantown and, it is said, that The Fairmount Water Works was the inspiration for the Water Works in the game.
Click here for more
Anyway, one of the inventors of Monopoly was from nearby Germantown and, it is said, that The Fairmount Water Works was the inspiration for the Water Works in the game.
Click here for more
Museum of Art (East Entrance)
On the hill above the Water Works is the Museum of Art. Incidentally, Fairmount gets its name from the fact that, originally, water needed gravity to operate the works and it came down the hill from 'Fair Mount'.
But, what we really want to see are the 'Rocky Steps'. Yep, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, East Entrance steps are the ones that Rocky runs up in that scene.
And, yes, I waited a long time to get just the right shot of 'Old Glory'!
But, what we really want to see are the 'Rocky Steps'. Yep, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, East Entrance steps are the ones that Rocky runs up in that scene.
And, yes, I waited a long time to get just the right shot of 'Old Glory'!
Two things:
- they are steeper than they look
- there's more of them than you think.
The Philadelphia skyline seen from the top of the Museum of Art steps.
Eakins Oval
Eakins Oval stands at the top of Ben Franklin Parkway, in front of the Museum of Art. It is basically a really, big, busy traffic junction with a statue on it. Eakins was a resident and a bit of a dauber.
The statue at Eakins Oval, is George Washington. Actually, only the head is George W. The body was re-used from a statue of Frederick of Prussia!
The school bus is not relevant.
The statue at Eakins Oval, is George Washington. Actually, only the head is George W. The body was re-used from a statue of Frederick of Prussia!
The school bus is not relevant.
I just love this picture... Not really sure why...
Penn's Landing
Well, the excitement of standing on the same spot as Stallone was too much for me. I needed a sit down and time to regain my composure. Fortunately, the next stage of my site-seeing tour afforded me such luxury, as my next port of call was the Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing, way downtown.
A little, picky point of order here; Penn did not land at Penn's Landing per se as this is mostly reclaimed land. He actually landed a bit further inland. Call me pedantic.
A little, picky point of order here; Penn did not land at Penn's Landing per se as this is mostly reclaimed land. He actually landed a bit further inland. Call me pedantic.
l-r
A boat on the New Jersey side of the Delaware / The Ben Franklin Bridge, the longest suspension bridge until 1929, when a bridge in Detroit eclipsed it. It is still, however, the longest 'blue' suspension bridge in the world / The Walt Whitman Toll Bridge.
A boat on the New Jersey side of the Delaware / The Ben Franklin Bridge, the longest suspension bridge until 1929, when a bridge in Detroit eclipsed it. It is still, however, the longest 'blue' suspension bridge in the world / The Walt Whitman Toll Bridge.
The Columbus memorial at Penn's Landing... and a Royal Enfield motorcycle in cherry condition!
Hanging around the docks...
My whole weekend turned out to have quite a nautical theme, and my final stop was no exception, as I had a shufti around a boat or two. This old ship is The Moshulu. This is the ship, in Godfather II, which brings the immigrants to the New World.
I'm not really sure why I seem to gravitate towards 'the nautical'. I'm not a lover of water and I usually avoid it, wherever possible. Still, wherever I go, I usually end up down by the jetty.
This time, I had the opportunity to view two completely different vessels:
The USS Becuna, a WWII submarine, and
The USS Olympia, a cruiser, and one of the US Navy's first steel ships.
Click here for more
I'm not really sure why I seem to gravitate towards 'the nautical'. I'm not a lover of water and I usually avoid it, wherever possible. Still, wherever I go, I usually end up down by the jetty.
This time, I had the opportunity to view two completely different vessels:
The USS Becuna, a WWII submarine, and
The USS Olympia, a cruiser, and one of the US Navy's first steel ships.
Click here for more
And that, as they say, is your lot...
I had to get to the airport to catch my flight back home.
As it turned out my flight was delayed by two and a half hours, so I could have stayed at the Seaport Museum for longer and seen some of the other stuff but, what ya gonna do?
I enjoyed my two days in the City of Brotherly Love and hope to go back soon. Next time, I know where to go and South Philly won't be as scary. Yes, of course I'll go back there. I hear the cheese steaks calling me and, besides, there are other varieties to sample ;-)
As it turned out my flight was delayed by two and a half hours, so I could have stayed at the Seaport Museum for longer and seen some of the other stuff but, what ya gonna do?
I enjoyed my two days in the City of Brotherly Love and hope to go back soon. Next time, I know where to go and South Philly won't be as scary. Yes, of course I'll go back there. I hear the cheese steaks calling me and, besides, there are other varieties to sample ;-)