Independence National Historical Park: Liberty Bell & Carpenters’ Hall

During a long weekend in late May and early June, I visited Philadelphia, PA to see historic sites and watch a professional track & field meet. This was my third visit to the city but the first time I was able to document the trip thoroughly. For the next few weeks, I will share a fraction of the thousands of photos I took during the trip and describe the history I learned there. The first miniseries within the series focuses on Independence National Historical Park, a part of the United States National Park System (NPS) that focuses on the American Revolutionary War. The famously cracked Liberty Bell and red brick Carpenters’ Hall were two of my earliest stops in the park.

For those visiting Philadelphia for the first time, the Liberty Bell is a must-see. The bell currently lives in a special building, the Liberty Bell Center, across the street from Independence Hall, which will receive its own special post on Wednesday. A series of detailed signs near the entrance of the building explain the making and subsequent history of the bell. While this quintessential American icon is significantly less disappointing than Plymouth Rock, bear in mind that it is only a bell, and you can only look at it for so long before the park ranger gently suggests that you move along. Go to the bell as soon as its building opens at 9:00 a.m. to avoid crowds. The Liberty Bell Center closes at 5:00 p.m. All visitors must go through security screening. Please do not attempt to touch the bell; those park rangers are not paid enough to deal with unruly visitors.

Located within Independence NHP, Carpenters’ Hall is still independently owned by the Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, which has completed projects throughout the area for over three hundred years since the organization was founded in 1724. The guild of skilled builders included more than carpenters, with bricklayers, engineers, and supervisors belonging to the organization. Construction for the Hall began in 1770, and the building soon became a hub for revolutionary activity. Benjamin Franklin’s Library Company of Pennsylvania rented space on the second floor, while the Pennsylvania Assembly and First Continental Congress met there. The building has been a National Historic Landmark since 1970.

Inside Carpenters’ Hall are local artifacts and models of the building. Upon entering the building, a pair of mosaics immediately catch the eyes of visitors. One mosaic features an insignia of the Carpenters’ Company, containing three drawing compasses and the phrase “Honor God” above a white shield. The other mosaic simply reads “The Carpenters Company 1724”. A glass frame above the fireplace on the east wall holds a parade flag or banner with the insignia of Carpenters’ Company stitched on it. In 1788, members of the guild carried this flag to celebrate the ratification of the United States Constitution. The chairs on either side of the fireplace date from at least 1774 when members of the First Continental Congress sat in them. As for the pair of models, one is a traditional version made of wood, while the other is made of Lego and created by Washington, DC native Richard Paules.

Near Carpenters’ Hall are a pair of matching buildings reconstructed to match what had been built in 1791. New Hall was closed during my visit, likely because the park was readying for America 250 next year. Directly in front of the building was a brand new marker installed by the Independence Hall Chapter and Valley Forge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to commemorate all patriots, both men and women. I imagine the proximity to internationally recognized historic sites have allowed these clubs to maintain membership while many near me have closed. The density of sites was so great that even after visiting these landmarks, I had barely gotten started on my epic trip.