Philadelphia a Historic City

Philadelphia is a great place for anyone interested in US history. This was my second visit to Philadelphia and once again I was drawn to the historical buildings, especially Independence Hall. Where else can you stand where our country was, quite literally, created? Thinking about the Declaration of Independency and the Constitution reminds me of two “literary” works; Miracle at Philadelphia and the Broadway musical 1776. I read Miracle at Philadelphia when I was taking a US history class. It was a good read and I enjoyed it. The musical 1776 is one of my favorites. I’ve always been interested in the people who helped form our country and the musical is an enjoyable way to look at these people with a lively and human twist. I only spent an hour or so at the hall and would love to spend more time enjoying the history, finding the perfect picture, thinking about the past, and contemplating the future. (Right - Independence Hall)

Assembly Room - Independence Hall

Assembly Room - Independence Hall

Detail in Independence Hall

Stair to attic in Independence Hall

Detail in Independence Hall

City Hall - Philadelphia

Library Hall - The first public library (1789). The building in my photograph was built in the 20th century based on the 18th century building. Unfortunately it was closed when I was there... You know I like a good library. :)

Chilly in Philly

Friday night I had the pleasure to go for a walk around town with my brother-in-law's sister. She lives in Philadelphia and had some great things to tell me and show me. It was nice to have someone just to walk around with and talk about this and that. Here are some night pictures that I took. Oh, and it was pretty Chilly in Philly that night. (Above picture - Near the Old Philadelphia Exchange and City Tavern)

Old Cemetry

Second Bank of the United States

"The Signer" a statue by Evangelos Frudakis

Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love

I'm in Philadelphia for a few days. I'm speaking at two workshops here in town. It is nice to be back; last time we stopped in Philadelphia it was too short of a visit. :) My hotel is at Penn's Landing and my room has great views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the city (you can even see Independence Hall from my windows). After getting settled in I went for a little walk past some of the historic buildings. It was very cold though so I didn't stay out very long. My main destination was Independence Hall (picture to the right). I think this is a very cool building; it was here that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, created, drafted and signed. Right across the street is the building that houses the Liberty Bell; it is arranged in such a way that you can see the bell from outside as well as inside (see last picture).

Philadelphia from my hotel window

Ben Franklin Bridge from my hotel window

Liberty Bell

Presidents' Day

I took this picture in honor of Presidents' Day and Lincoln's 200th Birthday. It is a very large bust of Lincoln that sits in the Utah State Capitol Building.