Happy Holidays

The Friends of Independence

National Historical Park

would like to wish you 

Happy Holidays and

a very Happy New Year

to you and yours!

We are excited for 2012

as it marks 40 years of

supporting the

Best Park in History!

LIVING IN HISTORY

                One day a few months ago, I was walking home from the Ritz movie theatre on Walnut Street.  As I passed the rose garden between 4^th and 5^th Streets, I noticed a barricaded area with a sign in front of it near the entrance to the garden. I walked over to get a better look and saw what the Park Service had apparently determined to be part of a colonial cobblestoned street, which up until now, had been concealed under two feet of dirt.  How incredible, I thought, that we are still discovering these relics of the past right in our midst.  I continued up Walnut to Washington Square.  At the corner of 6^th St., I noticed several people sitting on the benches in back of Independence Hall, reading newspapers, playing with children or walking home with grocery bags.  Of course, there was the usual contingent of tourists milling around the Hall.

                Entering Washington Square, I didn’t notice many tourists but saw that the Square was being used by various people for the same quotidian purposes -- relaxing, reading, dog walking, ball playing.  Like me, some people were cutting through the Square on their way home.  Being a student of Philadelphia history, I knew that I was walking over the final resting place of many victims of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 as well as fallen soldiers from the Revolution.

                My walk ended on the west side of the Square at St. James Street. Other residents of the neighborhood walk home on the same brick sidewalks used by the colonials, past tiny streets and tinier houses dating from the 18^th century.  Of course, the 18^th century structures stand cheek by jowl with modern buildings built in the last several years, as well as buildings dating from significant architectural periods of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, from the early 19^th century PSFS bank building on the west side of the Square to the modern houses on Spruce and Pine, from the artisan cottages sprinkled around Society Hill to the 20^th century Art Deco Ayer Condominium.

                Philadelphians have lived in the shadow of New York City since being eclipsed by it at the start of the industrial revolution.  New York became the boom town, constantly reinventing itself, and in the process wiping away just about every vestige of its architectural history.  While it is true that, to its detriment, Philadelphia’s economic progress diminished considerably in the 19^th century in comparison to New York, the silver lining in that cloud is that Philadelphia didn’t do much redevelopment, retaining the greatest collection of colonial period houses in the United States, as well as dozens of fine examples of period architecture dating from the early 1700’s to the present, all positioned against the backdrop of Independence National Historic Park.  Another felicitous result of Philadelphia’s “stagnation” is that the residential “greene countrie towne” that grew so rapidly in the 18^th Century is still just that – a residential town.  I know of no other large city in America where one can live in an 18^th century setting, amid block after block of 18^th century houses, and still be within the present day business district or a short walk away.

                Unlike other cities, our history is not barricaded behind bollard and chain barriers (Independence Hall’s barriers are part of another story), sanitized and remote.  We live our history in Independence National Historic Park.  We live that history in the houses. We walk it by traversing the same sidewalks that Jefferson and Franklin used, along the same streets that were part of Penn’s original grid.  We get a free architectural history presentation just by walking through the Park.

We can thank New York for allowing us to retain our historical setting by outgrowing us in the 19^th century.  And, we certainly can thank the National Park Service for maintaining our legacy, allowing us to truly “live in history.”

~Antoinette Stone
  Friends member and Board Member

The Edgar Allan Poe House

Not far from the National Park surrounding Independence Hall is another historically certified site, the Edgar Allan Poe house located at 532 North Seventh Street in Philadelphia. Poe lived in this house several years (approximately 1838 to 1844) and almost all scholars concur that these years were among his most productive and some of his very best work was done during that time.

Poe came to Philadelphia because it was then a great literary center and had many publishing houses. During this period, he wrote over 30 short stories, many magazine articles and wonderful poetry. He lived with his wife, his mother-in-law and their cat, Caterina. Poverty and drunkeness followed Poe all of his life and the family was extremely poor. It is unknown how the Poe house, which was rented, was furnished.

The house has now been restored by the National Park Service. There is a really good 8 minute film that visitors can view. The Park Service guides are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The ranger-guided tour lasts about 35 to 45 minutes; There are all sorts of references in the six room house to Poe's place in literature. One room has very interesting exhibits showing biographical information about Poe and his development and perfection of gothic  detective stories. Make sure to see the wonderful fireplace in the basement of the house which reminds us of Poe's short story, "The Black Cat".

Walking through Poe's house as well as his garden is a very productive way: to learn about Philadelphia and the City's important role in publishing during the 19th Century; to experience first-hand  a typical 19th Century house and garden; and to learn more about one of America's greatest authors.

~Flora L. Becker

  Secretary of the Board

Being Thankful

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a day where Americans gather with their family and friends to eat turkey, watch football and hopefully give thanks for all that they have in their lives.  On the Eve of this great holiday, I would like to give my own thanks.

I am thankful to the National Park Service.  Every day in rain, sheet, snow and sun, rangers are out in our wilderness parks, history parks and monuments; interpreting, protecting and maintaining these places for the American people.  I am thankful to the Federal Government who in 1872 had the foresight to protect a little place called Yellowstone from being destroyed through development.  Today the National Park Service protects over 450 natural, historical, recreational, and cultural areas throughout the United States, its territories, and island possessions.

I am thankful to the founding members of organizations like the Friends of Independence.  They had the passion, dedication and foresight to understand the importance of preserving and protecting our American Treasures.  I am thankful that they preferred to work on a shoe string budget so that they could pool more of their resources into our great parks and to make them the place to visit.

I am thankful to members, donors and corporate sponsors who agree with us that Independence National Historical Park is worth protecting and maintaining.  I am thankful to the nearly four million visitors who come to our park each year… they remind me why I love working here.

Mainly, I am thankful that I work for the Friends of Independence and that while I will play only a small part in the impressive and extensive history of this park, I will still play a part.  As a born and bred Philadelphian who went on field trips here as a child, nothing makes me prouder than knowing that I am helping to preserve this park for future generations.

So I hope you will join me today and tomorrow and offer thanks to a government department that preserves our heritage, to the rangers who love their job and sharing their knowledge, to the groups like the Friends who tirelessly work to preserve these places and mainly, give thanks to Independence National Historical Park, there is no other place like it and after all, it is the place where America was born.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

~Maiti Gallen

  Program Director

An inside Look from the Top of Independence Hall

To live in the presence of Independence Hall during this historic restoration has been a once in a lifetime experience for me. To see the spectacular changes on a weekly basis as our National Icon is restored to her historic glory is a project the Friends can be proud of.  

A little history…

Two and a half years ago, the Park along with Charlie Tonetti, Chief Historical Architect’s recommendations, came to the Friends with a plan that would enable the park to work on a beloved building while preserving the visitor experience.  Independence Hall had to undergo restoration work which would cover this iconic building in heavy scaffolding for many months.  Almost 4 million visitors come to this park annually and pose for pictures with Independence Hall in the background. Independence National Historical Park wanted the Decorative Scrim so visitors’memories could still be captured with little interference from ongoing construction. This project will be completed in the next couple of months.

Don Kaufman, former Board member and neighbor describes his experience as he viewed the Bell Tower restoration:

This was not just the end of another Friends project; it was the beginning of a transformation, ….. an out of the box experience for me and as well as Board Member Ed D’Alba, I’m sure.  We were invited to participate in a Press Conference held by INHP to present the restoration of the Bell Tower.  The tower hasn't had a major face lift for many years, so we climbed the scaffolding to examine the restoration that had taken place over the past few months.

We were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the restoration.    An interesting aspect was our ability to view the restoration for the outside of the tower.   One of Ed's employee's commented that “years from now when his kids visit the Hall, he would be able to say that he was on the outside of the tower on the tippy tippy top.” What a thrill to be part of the Friends and to be able to contribute to the restoration of this historic monument.

~Don Kaufman
   Former Board Member, 2005-2010

A few words from Ed D’Alba current board member…

The ascent of the tower was breathtaking.  The opportunity to stand above the "Hall," and outside the "Tower," all of which have withstood the test of time, debate and challenge from what happened within and beyond its hallowed halls will never be forgotten. 

It took but a few steps along the highest levels of the scaffolding to observe the stately beech trees around Commodore Barry to the south, to see the openness of the multi-storied south face of the Constitution Center to the north, and the contemporary and many other historic properties around and near the mall to the east and west.  Is there any other place on earth that so vividly helps underscores the role, the need, and the importance of friends groups nationwide, and of the Friends of Independence National Historic Park in particular?  Helping to preserve and enhance this National Treasure felt very right that day, and will provide memories for years to come.  In one word - Awesome! 

~Ed D’Alba

  Board Member, 2011 -

As Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Independence Hall Scrim Committee, this is civic project that I and the Friends of Independence will never forget.

~ Karen D. Kaufman
   Treasurer and Board Member

Excitement through Evolution

Yesterday, our Governing Board Members held its bi-monthly meeting to discuss the business of the Friends of Independence and to make decisions that will best lead our organization into the future.  Like many non-profits, our leaders are part of the business community and use their knowledge and skills to help our organization thrive and grow.

For the past few years the Governing Board meetings centered on the financial health of the organization and how we would weather the down-turning economy.  Many of our discussions dealt with future funding and the stability of the Friends.  This is not an uncommon theme for most non-profits, and in comparison, we have weathered better than most.  However, it has become a repetitive, never-ending topic.  There never will be a time when we say that as an organization we have too much, that we do not need more, and that we will not accept funding; because we know that the more funding we have, the more we can do for our park.

Yesterday’s meeting, however, was different.  While we still discussed the financial health of the organization, we also started to discuss the future:  How we wanted to see ourselves, how we wanted others to see us, and what we wanted to do to have our name reach more people.  Looking around the room, I could see my board members becoming animated as they brainstormed the possibilities.  They were so excited for what we were doing that in turn they enlivened me.

As the lone staff member for the Friends of Independence, I am charged with thinking ahead.  It is my responsibility to look for ways to connect with our constituents and to plan events, programs, and opportunities that will make our organization more visible.  Usually by the time I present an idea to the Governing Board, I am past my excited stage; I am in the business portion of the planning.  I am working out the logistics to make sure that we not only can produce the program but that it will meet tangible goals.

I walked into that meeting yesterday with my facts and figures, and I walked out feeling very excited for the future possibilities because my board members were enthusiastic and energized.  It is an incredible feeling to have a clear idea of where you are headed and to have the support of the Board.  Next year marks the 40^th anniversary of the Friends of Independence.  While that is an amazing accomplishment, we know we cannot live on our past glories.

We are changing.  We are growing.  We are evolving as we should.  We know our future has unlimited potential.  And we hope that you share our vision.  We invite you to continue the journey with us as we explore and reshape the Future of the Friends of Independence.

Stay tuned for some incredible programming…

~Maiti Gallen

  Program Director

It’s Almost Here!!!!

The trees are still green and leafy, the flowers still bloom, but there is a bite in the air these days. A chilly breeze as you walk through Independence National Historical Park foretells of autumn days to come – fall days when the park is covered in leaves, our wildlife (the gray squirrel) is foraging for winter and you can hear the wind rustling through the grass.

Autumn is my favorite time of the year here at the park. The whole park comes alive with the bright reds, golds and oranges of the season. Instead of sunbathers worshiping the light of summer, we have parents and children holding hands as they scoot through the fallen leaves. People walk closer together to warm themselves against the chill in the air instead of finding solitary relief in the cool shade. I find the whole park feels warmer during these transitional days and the smell of hot cider with mulling spices wafting through the air will always make me want to stop in at City Tavern for a quick sip or two.

This is the time of the year when the park belongs to the locals. The summer tourists are gone, the ones who come here to celebrate our independence, who stand with us in spirit to fight for freedom and who happily take pictures of their experience at a national historical park. Even as the late summer tourists slowly disappear from our sidewalks, park neighbors emerge from their homes to reclaim the park as their own. Soon the benches will be filled with workers from the neighboring buildings trying to soak up the last rays of sun before winter’s gray clouds are upon us.

This is the time of the year when I feel most at home at my national park. So even though it is still in the high 70’s here in Philadelphia and the humidity levels have not dropped, I will wear a scarf and coat in happy anticipation of the chillier weather. I will also kick the leaves scattered on the ground and dream of days when I can secretly jump into the massive piles of leaves when our maintenance workers are not looking. I do all of this because I know, when there is a bite in the air, my favorite season at Independence National Historical Park is just around the corner.

~Maiti Gallen
  Program Director