The Independence Tower Decorative Scrim a Great Success!

Have you noticed the visitors in the Park lately?  They are looking up at Independence Hall.  They pose for pictures near the Liberty Bell, on the sidewalk across from the Washington Statue, in the Square behind the Hall, and anywhere they can get a good view of that stately building where our country’s founding documents were created.   The visitors look excited to be here, eager for photo mementos, waiting for a clear view.  In other words, just the way they always did, before the Decorative Scrim when up on Independence Hall Tower late last fall. 

The Twilight Tours have been in full swing at 6:00 PM every evening for more than six weeks.  On my tours, the feedback from the visitors about the Decorative Scrim has been overwhelmingly positive.   Of course, I mention the Friends and the work we do to enhance the visitor’s experience, such as Twilight Tours and the Decorative Scrim project.

Often, before I even refer to the Hall, visitors admire the 'painted cloth', as some call it.  When I'm on the lawn with my tour group beside the Liberty Bell Center, many others stop to photograph the Hall, sometimes not realizing at first that they are not seeing the actual building. 

Recently, I looked toward the Hall from the National Constitution Center and was delighted by how convincing the scrim looks.  Many tourists were taking photos from there, too.

Last week, visitors from Maine and Utah thanked me (i.e., the Friends) for making Independence Hall look so attractive while the important restoration work is going on.  This ‘thanks’ has happened many times this summer.  I accept those thanks in the Friends’ name.

Even though at the beginning of a project there is a vision and a driving purpose, the outcome is not ‘guaranteed’.  The purpose of having a Decorative Scrim on Independence Hall Tower was all about a welcoming, positive experience for the many visitors who come and for the neighbors who look at Independence Hall every day.  Compare the Tower scrim to the protective scrim on the Customs House at 2^nd and Chestnut and you will know why this project was so important and so successful. 

Thank you, thank you to everyone who raised the funds and to all those who donated.  The scrim really makes a difference for our visitors and our Park, just as we all hoped it would.

~ Cathy Siegl

   Friends Member, Volunteer and

   Twilight Tour Guide