The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are among the iconic entities in ‘Old City’ that are integral to the international renown Philadelphia enjoys as a fabled historic city. However, hiding in plain sight in Old City are vibrant stories about individuals and institutions that are rarely referenced in tourist brochures about Philadelphia despite their importance in the development of the City of Brotherly Love.
This proposed walking tour of Old City will illuminate those stories. Key elements of this walking tour involve the media, (press to photography), forgotten facts about pivotal events that form the fabric of Philadelphia, struggles for equity that continue today and interesting oddities.
- Students will: learn the real origin of the name for the Liberty Bell, gain background on the first protest anywhere in America about biased news coverage, visit a famous colonial era print shop whose operator offer wisdom of relevance today, unmask one of the earliest photographers in Philadelphia/America, see where slaves were once sold publicly in Philly, understand illegal acts in Old City committed by America’s first president (George Washington) and find out about the company that manufactured medical products from marijuana – legally – in the late 19th Century.
This walking tour will take students from 6th and Market Streets to Front Street, Arch to Chestnut Streets. Getting to and returning from this walking tour is easily accessible on public transportation – particularly the El. The actual walking tour will last about three hours. (The area is flat so there should be no difficulties from terrain. But the actual ‘walk’ is long so students should be prepared: comfortable shoes, weather appropriate clothing, water, snack, etc.
Students will be provided with supplemental materials to keep that enhance their understandings of the Old City area.
- The trip will be led by Prof. Linn Washington.Â