Independence Hall - Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Photo by Joey Phoenix, 2012
Independence Hall is arguably one of the
most significant, if not the most significant
Constitution landmark. It is the site of the
signing of not only the Declaration of
Independence in 1776, but also the United
States Constitution in 1787.
The government of Pennsylvania built the
colonial legislature in 1753 as the state house
for the province of Pennsylvania. Alexander
Hamilton had been on the design committee,
commissioned to find a location and oversee
the project.
It was the principle meeting place for the
Second Continental Congress and the
Constitutional Convention. It was also the
original home of the Liberty Bell.
Independence Hall currently sits on
Chestnut Street in downtown Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
Faneuil Hall, 1902
Faneuil Hall - Boston
Massachusetts
This popular Boston
landmark is the center of
tourism in downtown
Beantown. Located a stone's
throw from government
center, and a short walk from
the Historic North End, a trip
to Boston wouldn't be
complete without a stop for
some clam chowder
(chowda') in Faneuil Hall.
Since 1742, the site has
always been a place for food,
shopping, and meeting of the
minds - and most
importantly, a hotspot for
revolutionary activity.
Samuel Adams, James Otis,
and many others made their
voices heard in front of the
market, arguing for
separation from Mother
Britain. A statue of Sam
Adams now stands in front of
the site, a tribute to his powers of oration, charismatic personality, and influence over
the early stages of the American War for Independence. During the War, Fanueil Hall
was also used as a theatre.
Colonial Williamsburg - Williamsburg, Virginia
Governor's Mansion, by Joey Phoenix, 2011
Colonial Williamsburg is a remarkable place because it is a living-history museum, and a
visit there is akin to a step into the world of the eighteenth century. Actors in period
clothing wander through out the open air town, talking to visitors and creating an
authentic historic experience. It is a perfect recreation of the original town, which was
once the capital of Virginia and the seat of the architectural movement known as the
Colonial Revival.
Williamsburg has special importance too for American Revolutionary History, as the
historic Raleigh Tavern was a popular meeting place for diplomats, statesmen, and
revolutionaries - people like Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry frequented the
establishment. Other places of note include the Governor's Mansion (as shown above)
and the Capitol.
Old North Bridge - Concord, Massachusetts
Recreation of the Old North Bridge
The famous Shot Heard Round the World took place just outside of Boston at the Old
North Bridge. The pedestrian walkway, a replication of the one which stood during the
battles of Lexington and Concord, is a part of the Minute Man National Historic
Park.
USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) - Charlestown, Massachusetts
Old Ironsides Goes Underway
The USS Constitution, affectionately called "Old Ironsides," is the naval spirit of the
United States Constitution. President George Washington named the vessel after the
founding document - as she was one of the six original frigates constructed by the Naval
Act of 1797. The Ship, although still in official service, is open to the public.
Library of Congress - Washington D.C.
Library of Congress after Nineteenth Century Reconstruction
This magnificent landmark in the heart of the nation's capital, the Library of Congress,
is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States, and for all purposes, the
national library of the United States of America. Although originally built in 1800, and
housed in the White House, most of the collection was destroyed during the War of
1812. To help bolster the collection, and to overcome his own debt struggles, Thomas
Jefferson sold his entire personal collection to the library in 1815.
The Library of Congress primarily serves as the research library to the United States
Congress. It is open to the public, to anyone who wants to walk through, but only
government officials may check out books.
Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative Commons Share-Alike License 3.0
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