PREPARATORY WORK STARTS
AT PRESIDENT'S HOUSE SITE
Kelly/Maiello Management and the Daniel J. Keating Company,
the project team for the President's House at 6th and Market Streets in Independence National Historical
Park, is preparing the
site for its next phase of construction.
Site preparation for construction has commenced, including set up of
logistics trailer, removal of the current observation stand, erection of
temporary fencing and minor excavation. Information about the site (including
information about the archeological dig and the history of the house) will be
available at the Independence
Visitor Center
and online at www.nps.gov/inde.
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Staffing Changes
INDE is proud to welcome Debbie Douglas as our Acting Deputy Superintendent. Debbie joins INDE from the Northeast Regional Office.
Debbie has worked for the Park Service since 1982, serving in positions that have included the grants programs Land and Water Conservation Fund, Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Programs. Since 1995, she has served as NPS Northeast Region Coordinator for the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. Debbie also serves as a Conflict Resolution
Specialist. At INDE, Debbie will be helping manage the INDE team, with a focus on employee and labor relations issues.
Debbie is married and has two children. She has lived in Philly for over 30 years, and loves to walk around the city. She enjoys cooking, and in the summer especially enjoys shopping at the many outdoor markets that feature locally grown food.
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
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The National Park service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage
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Independence National Historical Park
143 S. Third StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19106 _________________________ Comments? Write to: Jane Cowley, INHP Public Affairs Officer 143 S. Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 Phone: (215) 597-0060 Fax: (215) 597- 0042 Email: Jane_Cowley@nps.gov
U.S.Department of the Interior
NPS Photographers
Park Staff
G. Widman for GPTMC
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Greetings!
Thank you to all our partners, friends and staff who helped make
July's activities and events so successful.
Between our annual Freedom Week events, Lincoln 200, and openings
of two new exhibits (at the Germantown White House and
Independence Visitor Center), the summer has been a whirl of
activities.
Without the support and dedication of all of you, none of
this would be possible. Thank you again and I look forward to
working with all of you over the course of the year.
Best Wishes for a Happy Summer,
Cynthia MacLeod
Superintendent |
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Independence Celebrates Independence!
From our nation's birthday to Abraham Lincoln's birthday, INDE had it all this Fourth of July! All of the events held in Independence NHP during Freedom Week worked together to create an opportunity to think about the lasting legacy of all the men and women, free and enslaved, who laid the foundations and paved the way over the centuries to create this nation.
Park-sponsored events for Freedom Week kicked off with the annual performance by the Philly Pops on Independence Mall. Thousands gathered for a free outdoor concert of American music. The weather held out for the Independence Day Ceremony hosted by INHP Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter on the morning of July 4th. This year's morning ceremony included musical performances, historical vignettes by costumed characters, and a salute to local military heroes. In a fun change from previous years, the annual Philadelphia Independence Day Parade kicked off in front of Independence Hall immediately following the ceremony.
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The Germantown White House
 The newly refurbished Germantown White House, a unit of Independence NHP, officially reopened in a special event attended by over 200 people on July 10th.
to escape the yellow fever epidemicand returned with the First Familyand household in the summerof 1794. The house hosted
important cabinet meetingsa n d family gatherings.
Since closing in February, 2008, the site has undergone substantialrenovation and the installation of new exhibits designed to interpretPresident Washington's household, including four enslaved Africans.The Germantown White House was donated to the National Park Service (NPS) by the Morris family and became part of Independence NHP in 1948. The well preserved historic building was initially restored to its 1790s appearance in the 1970s. The site was enhanced with the donation of the neighboring Bringhurst House to the NPS by the Germantown Savings Bank.
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Seizing Freedom: New Exhibit on Underground Railroad
On July 4th, Independence National Historical Park opened a new exhibit called Seizing Freedom - the story of the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia. The city was a major hub of the Underground Railroad during the 18th and 19th centuries. This exhibit highlights the important role of Philadelphia's large free black community who along with other people and organizations aided the Underground Railroad.
In one panel, the exhibit points out that long after the Declaration of Independence was signed in Independence Hall, the building was used for fugitive slave trials, which freed or denied liberty to enslaved African Americans. One of the park stories is the promise and the paradox of liberty in the United States. To highlight this paradox, Seizing Freedom opened on the 233rd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which includes the famous phrase "all men are created equal."
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Summer ProgramsEspecially for Kids!
Junior Ranger Induction Ceremony-- For all children who have completed our Junior Ranger booklet. Pick up booklet at visitor center desk. Daily at 4pm at the Visitor Center.Hidden History - At the Portrait Gallery of the Second Bank. Kids follow clues to uncover the special people in the exhibit then get a reward! Daily, 11 am to 4:30 pm.Ranger-Led Walking Tours
Stories from the Past- This walk highlights the diverse people and stories of the nation's founding years. Offered daily at 3:30- 4:15 pm. Meet at East Side of the Liberty Bell Center, 6th & Chestnut Streets. The tour on Saturdays will be on the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia. History Beneath our Feet- Explore what we learn about the past by digging into the ground. Offered daily from 4:00 - 4:45 pm. Meet in the Independence Visitor Center, near south door.
Dr. Franklin's Philadelphia Walking Tour- 45 minute tour. Meet the park ranger in the courtyard to hear about the many contributions of Benjamin Franklin. Daily at 2:30 pm.True Stories of the Underground Railroad
This summer, hear the thrilling stories of those who dared to seize their freedom from slavery using the informal network of supporters called "The Underground Railroad." Actors at IndependenceNational Historical Park bring to life three of the people William Still recorded in his book on the Underground Railroad, in three separate performances.
On Friday August 7, meet "Charles Gilbert" who, while waiting to board a ship to Philadelphia, hid under a hotel, in a washhouse and under floorboards before his successful escape.
On Friday, August 14, meet "Henry Box Brown" who dared to get nailed into a wooden box and shipped to Philadelphia.
On Friday, August 21, meet "Ellen Craft" who traveled as an invalid white man attended by her husband in the role of her enslaved servant.
Each program is offered at noon and 3:00 pm at the Independence Visitor Center. These free programs are sponsored by the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.
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