Exploring Philadelphia's Historical Roots

Following is a sampling of some of Philadelphia's don't miss historical attractions.

Visitors to the Betsy Ross house ca n step into a home that portrays a working class woman's life in Colonial America. While historians debate if Ross actually made the first American flag, this house offers interactive programs and features highlighting the development of this historic flag.

A stroll down Elfreth's Alley, he oldest continually inhabited street in America, takes one back to the residential life of Colonial Philadelphia replete with quaint brick homes.

Step inside Independence Hallt o see the birthplace of the United States of America where the Declaration of Independence was signed (1776) followed by the ratification of the Articles of Confederation (1781) and the adoption of the U.S. Constitution (1787). Also, inside the Liberty Bell Center, visitors can get an up close view of the famous cracked Bell set against the backdrop of Independence Hall.

While the original Constitution is on display in the National Archives in Washington, DC, visitors to the National Constitution Center can view a well preserved copy of this famous document. This 160,000-square-foot museum employs high-tech exhibitions, artifacts and displays to tell the history of this famous document.

Within the walls of the Christ Church, an early 18th-century Anglican church designed by English church architect Christopher Wren, one can almost feel the famous souls like George Washington, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin who once worshiped here. It was here on On July 5, 1776 that the signers of the Declaration of Independence came to pray. Then venture over a few blocks to Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin and his wife are among the Revolutionary era luminaries buried here. A block away from the Christ Church burial ground, one finds the Free Quaker Meeting House. During the revolutionary era, thirty to fifty men and women, including Betsy Ross, regularly attended this meeting.

Inside the African American Museum in Philadelphia, one of the United Staten's premier centers for African-American heritage one finds a collection consisting of thousands of objects, paintings, etchings, photographs, costumes, furnishings, sculptures, historic documents and books.

The National Liberty Museum highlights the achievements of contemporary heroes such as Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Jonas Salk, Mother Theresa, and Jackie Robinson, with memorials dedicated to 9/11 and other historical events.

Those coming to Philadelphia to celebrate the 4 ^th of July in the birthplace of American freedom can check out the Welcome America andHistoric Philadelphiaw ebsites for information about specific activities happening during this holiday.