In celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday, this unique, user-friendly guide follows the Founding Father's footsteps through Philadelphia. The author takes a chronological journey through surviving landmarks from Franklin's time and the sites that preserve his legacy today. On his way, he speaks to curators, park rangers, and even Franklin impersonators to tell the story of this fascinating American icon.
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About the Author
Tom Huntington is the former editor of Historic Traveler and American History magazines. His articles have appeared in Smithsonian, Air & Space, Civil War Times, British Heritage, Invention & Technology, and numerous other publications.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
TOURING OLD PHILADELPHIA!,
This review is from: Ben Franklin's Philadelphia: A Guide (Paperback)
When one thinks about the early American history and the colonial period it's natural to associate this history with the New England region. But if there is one area outside of New England that can boast a history that is just as rich and as important, it is certainly the city of Philadelphia. "Ben Franklin's Philadelphia" by Tom Huntington is equal parts a tour guide, Franklin Biography, and a history, all blended in one enjoyable, and informative book.
Huntington takes readers on a tour of colonial Philadelphia, stopping at many well known, and many unknown historical buildings and landmarks, including many of those frequented by Franklin himself. Along the way Huntington provides biographical information about Franklin in relation to these various stops. 2006 marks Franklin's 300th birthday and there is no better time to visit historical Philadelphia than during this year long celebration of one of America's greatest Founding Fathers. In all there are just over two dozen different places to visit in the guide and Huntington greatly assists readers by providing the address and phone number of each site, hours of operation, admission prices (if applicable), and finally, a walking map with each site numbered so you can plan your route when you visit. Certainly many people know about Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, both of which can be visited free of charge, but there are many other interesting, out-of-the-way sites that are not quite as well known but are equally tantalizing for history buffs. For instance this is Elfreth's Alley, which has the distinction of being the oldest, continually occupied residential street in America, with homes that date back to the 1720's. Two of these buildings served as the Elfreth's Alley museum with a modest admission price. Near Elfreth's Alley is the Fireman's Hall Museum. The Museum recognizes Ben Franklin's contributions as the founder of the city's first fire company in 1736. Another marvelous site is Christ Church where he and his wife Deborah attended services on occasion. It was Franklin who helped organize the funding for the church's massive 200-foot tall steeple that has become one of the city's most visible landmarks. The Franklins are buried in Christ Church Burial Grounds, which, oddly enough, are actually a few streets over from the church. A large slab covers Franklin's final resting place and it has become a tradition for visitors to toss pennies on the slab for good luck. The thing that strikes me about all of the sites in Huntington's guide is the modest admission fees for visiting most of them. Many of these sites can be toured for free, while others are less than $20 for a family of four, making them not only historically enriching, but a heck of a bargain as well. If you plan on visiting Philadelphia, do yourself a favor and pick up this book and have a great time walking around old Philadelphia. Reviewed by Tim Janson
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
"Enjoy a taste of history!" reads the chalkboard on the sidewalk outside Philadelphia's City Tavern, a reconstruction of the inn John Adams called "the most genteel in America." Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Benjamin Franklin, Market Street, Franklin Court, Independence Hall, State House, Christ Church, Library Company, American Philosophical Society, Arch Street, City Tavern, Elfreth's Alley, Franklin Institute, William Penn, Ben Franklin, Constitutional Convention, Library Hall, Philip Syng, Poor Richard, Declaration of Independence, Independence National Historical Park, John Adams, Second Street, Sir William, Stamp Act, Charles Willson Peale New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
"Enjoy a taste of history!" reads the chalkboard on the sidewalk outside Philadelphia's City Tavern, a reconstruction of the inn John Adams called "the most genteel in America." Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Benjamin Franklin, Market Street, Franklin Court, Independence Hall, State House, Christ Church, Library Company, American Philosophical Society, Arch Street, City Tavern, Elfreth's Alley, Franklin Institute, William Penn, Ben Franklin, Constitutional Convention, Library Hall, Philip Syng, Poor Richard, Declaration of Independence, Independence National Historical Park, John Adams, Second Street, Sir William, Stamp Act, Charles Willson Peale New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 25
books:
See all 25 books this book cites
- Benjamin Franklin : Writer and Printer by Peter Green James N. & Stallybrass in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Thomas Jefferson (American Statesman) by John Torrey Morse on page 55, and Back Matter
- The History and Activities of the Revolutionary War (Hands on American History) by M.C. Hall on page 22, and page 45
- Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson in Back Matter
- Bolt Of Fate: Benjamin Franklin And His Fabulous Kite by Tom Tucker in Back Matter
See all 25 books this book cites
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