Girl Scouts Spruce Up Independence
On September 25, National Public Lands Day brought together volunteers across the nation to improve and restore our public lands. As part of the volunteer events at Independence NHP, First Bloom Girl Scouts hosted a fall clean-up event in the native garden located at the Dock Creek Bridge, behind Carpenter's Hall.
Troops 21133 and 2610 of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania were on site to lead volunteers in the proper care and maintenance of the garden. Volunteers pulled weeds, conducted soil pH tests, gathered seeds from the native plants, cleaned out leaves for compost and laid mulch. The Girl Scouts also had an unexpected treat. After a trip to the Butterflies! exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Girl Scouts worked together last year to design and plant a garden that would attract birds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. When they came to volunteer in September, it was too early for the seed pods on the butterfly milkweed plants, which should have still been too green to collect. However, the unusual 90 degree weather over the previous few days caused two seed pods to open up. The girls collected the seeds and will let them dry over the winter. In the spring, they hope to germinate new butterfly milkweed to plant in other areas of the park.
"Here in Philadelphia, it is hard to imagine a vast natural experience," said Holly Johnson, First Bloom program leader for INHP. "First Bloom allows these scouts to immerse themselves in an outdoor, hands-on experience with nature, while giving something back to the local community."
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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
Carol Feeley
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Independence Hall Tower
Rehabilitation Underway
In July, work began on the 14-month rehabilitation project of Independence Hall Tower. Earlier this year, the National Park Service awarded a $4,394,000 contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Daniel Keating Company, a general contractor and construction management firm based in Narberth
Park neighbors and visitors will have noticed the scaffolding that went up in September. In early November, this scaffolding will be covered by a decorative scrim made possible through a donation from the Friends of Independence. The scrim, which will show an image of Independence Hall Tower, will help ensure the safety of construction workers and the public during restoration, while enabling residents and visitors to view an architectural image of the tower.
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Programs Provide Glimpses of
Lesser Known Stories
 | | Ranger Daniels talks to visitors about Carpenter's Hall |
The British Occupation walking tour was offered eight times, Saturdays and Sundays in September. Tour participants were guided by an Interpretive Park Ranger to five stops within the park of particular significance during the occupation.
"The British occupation of Philadelphia was a crucial moment of the American Revolution, and also a little-known moment," says Tom Daniels, an Interpretive Ranger who coordinated the tours and led four tours himself. Of the September 26, 1777 to June 1778 occupation, Daniels says, "It was a short occupation, but significant because Philadelphia was the heart of the American revolution."
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What happened in the lives of Philadelphians during the British occupation in 1777? What role did the occupation play in the outcome of the American Revolution? This September, almost 300 visitors had these questions - any many more - answered through the British Occupation of Philadelphia Walking Tour. Independence NHP offers a series of walking tours and programs throughout the year, and this fall's tour was particularly successful. |
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Congratulations to Dick Dyer |
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| Congratulations to Seasonal Park Guide Dick Dyer for 50 years of service at Independence National Historical Park!
In his time here, Dick has been part of many changes and improvements at the park, including the redevelopment of Independence Mall, the move of the Liberty Bell (twice!), visits of 11 U.S. Presidents, and the comings and goings of 7 park superintendents.
When Dick started his career at Independence NHP on June 27, 1960, Dwight Eisenhower was still President, an average new house cost less than $13,000, a gallon of gasoline cost 25 cents, and Chubby Checker was doingThe Twist! Six months before Dick arrived at Independence NHP, four black college students in Greensboro, NC began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter. Three months later, the U.S. announced that 3,500 American soldiers were being sent to Vietnam. Several days after his arrival to Independence,the new 50 star flag of the United States first officially flew over Philadelphia (probably at Independence Hall). |
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President's House Site Commemoration
Opening Scheduled
The City of Philadelphia and Independence NHP have announced a December 6 ribbon cutting for the new exhibit, "Freedom and Slavery in Making a New Nation" on the President's House site. A joint initiative of the City and the park, the historic project commemorates the site of the executive mansion of the first two United States presidents, George Washington and John Adams, and exhibits tell the long-obscured story of at least nine enslaved Africans who toiled at the house during Washington's presidency.
"From its inception, this project has generated conversation and discovery, and we hope it will continue to do so. Benefitting from the voices of citizens and guiding legislation from the U.S. Congress and the collaboration between the City of Philadelphia and the National Park Service, the project is a welcome addition to Independence National Historical Park," said Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod.
The final few months of construction and design work will include erection of the memorial to the enslaved; preparation of the glass vitrine that will allow visitors to view the archeological fragments that were unearthed in 2007; and installation of porcelite panels, videos and illustrated glass that will provide the context for the history of the site.
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EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
Fall Programs
Special Program at the Germantown White House
American Historical Theater actor Steve Edenbo will portray Thomas Jefferson to commemorate cabinet meetings held in November, 1793, at this house. Saturday, November 27, from 1 to 3 pm.
Special Programs at the Second Bank
"The Forgotten (Native) Americans" This 30-minute, Ranger-led program commemorates Native American History Month. Saturdays and Sundays in November, 3:00pm.
"Moses Williams: Cutter of Profiles" In this 15-minute program, hear the amazing story of Moses Williams who learned to operate the Physiognotrace to earn his freedom and a good living making silhouettes in Peale's Museum. Wednesday through Sunday, 2:00pm.
"Stories of Struggle" As the nation began to develop, not all people achieved what Thomas Jefferson described as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Enslaved Africans, women seeking equality and the right to vote, and Native Americans who were forcibly removed from their lands, decimated by war and disease are just some of these Stories of Struggle. Join a Park Ranger for a 30-minute illustrated program in the Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank. Wednesday through Sunday at 4:00pm. |
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