Our American History Trip
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The trip started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

On our arrival, we stopped at our B&B, the Corner House, long enough to leave our luggage, have tea with the host, and then we took off to the Italian Market. It reminded us of many markets we'd seen in Europe, of course. Part of the "Rocky" movie was shot along this street. We had a beer at an Italian restaurant, and found a new best friend by inquiring about a restaurant we'd heard about. He followed us in his car (a typical big Italian) and tried to tell us that we were going the wrong way! We went to dinner at Vesuvio's with Todd and Brett instead, having a good meal and a good visit..

Next morning we took the bus to the city center where the historical buildings are. We saw Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the site of Ben Franklin's house and printing company which is now a museum, and many other places.


The Pennsylvania Supreme Court chamber.
This is the assembly room where the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and eventually signed. The original rising sun chair where Washington sat while he presided over the proceedings is in the center. Note the clay pipes and the walking sticks on the desks.

This was the House chamber for 10 years in the Pennsylvania State House. It's on the lower floor, hence the term used until today, the lower house.		 This room, more elaborately furnished, was the placethe Senate met. It is upstaire, so the term the upper house came from this place.

The old City Hall, where the first U.S. Supreme Court met.
The interior of the Supreme Court, showing the judges bench, the dock and the lawyers' and prosecutors' table--they sat together.

 

At the left is Brown at the Liberty Bell.

 

 

 

At the right is the portrait gallery in what was once the Second Bank of the U.S.

 

At the left is Carpenter's Hall, where the first Continental Congress met.

The Franklin Museum is underground, and it contains many of his inventions. The white outlines are "ghosts" showing where his home and printing shop were.
This is an armitron, a Franklin invention,which plays music similar to a music box, but like crystal glasses being spun.
An 18th century garden

The Philadelphia exchange--exceptional architecture.
The City Tavern, where the "founding fathers" went to eat and drink after their day's work was over. We had lunch there.
The waiters are dressed in period costumes, and we could order Franklin or Washington ale with our food.

 

 

Elfreth's Alley, continually occupied since 1738. It looked as though yuppies lived here now, with young families. Since this is on the tourist route, there were signs asking people to respect the owners' privacy. Talk about living in a fishbowl!
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