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Independence NHP Recognizes
"Snow Team"
 After a winter of epic proportions in Philadelphia, with record-breaking snow accumulations, the Superintendent of Independence National Historical Park recognized the staff for their exceptional work keeping the park safe and digging out from the storms. Philadelphia received more than 80 inches of snow, compared to the normal average annual snow accumulation of 20 inches! The five winter storms occurred over 13 days, with eight of these days occurring on a weekend and one on a holiday. Three of the snow days were so severe the park had to officially close.
Staff from all divisions of the park chipped in to clear sidewalks, building entrances and walkways. Staff from the Maintenance Division who are on the park's informal "snow team" put in extra time and effort, working long hours and some even staying overnight in the park to ensure that sidewalks would be clear for pedestrians in the mornings.
At an award lunch for the members of the snow team, Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod recognized the team members, saying, "Your work to keep the walkways, driveways, parking areas, and building access safe through the removal of snow and treatment of these areas with salt and sand to prevent icy and slippery conditions was truly an outstanding effort. Due to your efforts our visitors, employees and volunteers, and the Philadelphians who pass through the park each day enjoyed improved safety conditions during difficult weather conditions."
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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 _________________________ U.S.Department of the Interior Photographers: Inde Park Staff 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
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Bishop White Objects Donated to
Independence NHP
Miniature Portrait of Thomas Harrison White, 1804. |
In late 2008 and early 2009, Mrs. Mary E. Montgomery of Woods Hole, MA donated to the park a large group of objects associated with Bishop William White. The donor's husband, Raymond B. Montgomery, was a direct descendent of the Bishop's through his son Thomas Harrison White and his granddaughter Mary Harrison White Montgomery.
The donation includes: a Pennsylvania fall front desk with early brass hardware circa 1740, a Philadelphia side chair with Gothic pierced splat circa 1780 (identical to two other chairs donated to the park by White descendents), a blanket chest associated with Colonel Thomas White of Maryland (White's father), a miniature portrait of White's son Thomas H. White by Benjamin Trott circa 1804 (identical to one already owned by the park and acquired through a different branch of the Montgomery family), ......
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Independence NHP Plans for
Long-Term Care of Washington Square
In recent decades, management of Washington Square has been in the hands of both the City of Philadelphia (Fairmount Park Commission) and the National Park Service (NPS). A 1991 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the NPS set the terms for the transfer of ownership of Washington Square. Under the terms of the MOU, the NPS agreed to add the square to Independence NHP once the square was "restored, repaired and rehabilitated." These terms were met in 2004 and in 2005, title was granted in perpetuity through the donation of an easement on land at 600 Walnut Street, from the City of Philadelphia to the United States of America, NPS. Between 1991 and 2004, improvements were made to foot paths, curbing, walls and benches. Work included removing 46 trees that were found to be unstable and a threat to public health and safety. Rehabilitation also included planting 80 additional trees throughout the square. Because preservation of old growth trees is a priority, in 2007 the NPS brought in the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation to develop a tree pruning and, later, soil treatment plan. The NPS has also focused its attention on maintaining ....
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National Park Service and National Center for the American Revolution Take Next Step on Agreement
The National Park Service (NPS) and the National Center for the American Revolution (ARC) have taken the next step to prepare for the exchange of 78 acres owned by ARC within the boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park for 0.87 acres owned by the United States of America within the boundary of Independence NHP. A Programmatic Agreement and Notice of Realty Action related to the land exchange are now available for public review and comment at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/inde. The Notice of Realty Action summarizes the details of the land exchange. The Programmatic Agreement addresses concerns raised previously by stakeholders and the public about this land exchange. The NPS has identified five specific conditions that will address potential adverse effects on cultural resources. For example, stipulations require archeological studies on the Independence land parcel, include deed restrictions on the Independence land parcel, address the future ....
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Independence NHP Welcomes New Staff | | Independence NHP welcomes Rhonda Buell Shier as a new Supervisory Park Ranger in Interpretation and Visitor Services. Rhonda joins us from Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where she served as Education Specialist and Acting Chief of Interpretation. |
 | Robert Butler is joining Independence NHP as IT Specialist. Robert has worked at the NPS Regional Office here in Philadelphia as an IT Specialist for the past 5 years. Robert will be working in the Administration Division. |  | William Watson is joining Independence NHP as Interpretive Park Guide. William comes to us with multiple seasonal interpretation positions under his belt.
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EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
Artifacts from Independence Displayed at Temple University
Temple University opens a new exhibit called "Excavating Desire: Tastes and Tablewares in Early to Mid-19th-Century Philadelphia"
"Excavating Desire" examines tastes and tablewares used in two middle-class households and the rise of an industrial, disposable consumer culture during the early to mid-19th century. Independence NHP's "McIlvaine House" archaeological collection (excavated in 1960-62, by B. Bruce Powell and Jake Gruber, from the Park's Walnut Street Houses), now on loan to Temple University, are an important part of this exhibition.
At an opening reception on Wednesday, April 14th 2010, at the Center for the Humanities at Temple University, CHAT Curator, Jessica Rowe, a PhD student in historical archaeology, highlighted two important archaeological collections housed in the Temple Anthropology Lab. These include the McIlvaine archaeological materials, including the teapot pictured here.
The exhibit runs from April 14 - December 18, 2010 Monday-Friday 10am-4pm 
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