US2011 - Old City Hall and Congress Hall

The world heritage listed Independence Hall in Philadelphia is flanked by Old City Hall on the left and Congress Hall on the right. Besides having a “Hall” in both names, both of them also acted as a Courthouse.

 

 

The Old City Hall served as the home of the United States Supreme Court between the years of 1791 and 1800.

 

 

Completed in 1791, the building consists of two section, the Mayor’s Council Chamber on the first floor and the Mayor’s Court on the ground floor.

 

 

As the Supreme Court was not provided with its own room in Philadelphia, they had to hold hearing sessions in the Mayor’s Court.

 

 

Among the interesting things to note include the Supreme Courts’ failure to even hear a case during their first two years, the extremely low average of only seven cases per annum, and appointed judges turning down the “honour” to serve the court.

 

 

Since it was so underutilised, I guess the only useful thing that they have really done was to act as a volunteers’ headquarters during the Yellow Fever epidemic in 1793, and also as an Immigration Center, where naturalization ceremonies for new citizens took place.     

 

 

Over on the other side, I found that the Congress Hall is in a way, more interesting.

 

 

Unlike the Old City Hall where anyone can just enter at anytime, entrance to the Congress Hall is through a free guided tour that runs every 20 minutes.

 

 

During the tour, we were first seated in the House of Representatives.

 

 

After a short brief about the House of Representatives, we proceeded upstairs …

 

 

… to the Senate.

 

 

It was here, where President George Washington was inaugurated for a second term. After another short briefing on the historical events that took place in the room, our final stop was at the meeting rooms on both sides of the corridor.

 

 

When Congress moved to Washington DC in 1800, the building reverted back to the Philadelphia County Courthouse, thus giving Philadelphia two courthouses in a row of three “Halls”.

US2011 - The President’s House Site

Serving as the “White House” from 1790 to 1800 when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States, this archaeological and commemorative site also uncovered the darkest history of America’s White House due to the slavery that was practised by George Washington.

 

 

Although Washington was not a harsh slave owner by the standards of the time, he however, practiced the biggest contradiction with the freedoms of the new nation.

 

 

As President, he shuttled his slaves between his Philadelphia residence and Virginia estate to evade a law that freed any slave residing in Pennsylvania for six months.

 

 

Luckily, archaeology at this house site in 2007 uncovered a story that was thought to be buried both literally and figuratively.

 

 

Besides presenting about the slavery in the President’s House, the site also displays articles and videos discussing slavery in general …

 

 

… the slaves’ escape, and also how they became free through the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

 

 

Although the site contains a dark past of the nation, at least today, it has been transformed into a space that honours the live of those enslaved.

 

 

I guess, the ironic thing about this site was that the President had a practise that contradicts with the freedom he fought for, right in front of the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

US2011 - Independence Hall

Besides the Liberty Bell, another most treasured symbols of freedom for United States is the Independence Hall.

 

 

Also located within the Independence National Historical Park (the most historical mile in the US), …

 

 

… this birthplace of the nation is currently listed as a World Heritage Site.

 

 

It was where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the Constitution of the United States was written in 1787.

 

 

As the building is usually closed to visitors, the only way to visit it is through the free timed tickets …

 

 

… available from the Independence Visitor Center.

 

 

But, do make sure that you get here and queue up early as most tickets would have been snapped up by noon.

 

 

In my case, although I was there at 10.30am, the earliest ticket left was for the 1.40pm tour.

 

 

Luckily, the Visitor Center is entertaining enough to be considered as a tourist attraction as well.

 

 

So, while waiting for the tour, visitors could then check out the other tours on offer, go shopping at the souvenir shop, surf the Internet with their free WiFi, learn a little bit of Philadelphia’s history …

 

 

… or even read about other featured historical attractions around the area.

 

 

20 minutes before the tour begins, …

 

 

… all visitors are advised to go through security between the Old City Hall and the East Wing of Independence Hall.

 

 

Upon arrival, everyone queued up, …

 

 

… before being guided into the East Wing building.

 

 

Here, we were given a short brief about the history of the USA, how the events unfolded and the significance of the building.

 

 

Then, the official tour of the Independence Hall building began.

 

 

First up, the Supreme Court Room, …

 

 

… followed by the Assembly Room that lies across the corridor.

 

 

It was here that both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted and signed.

 

 

Lastly, we were given a quick brief on the Center Hall and Tower Stairs ...

 

 

… before exiting the building. After learning about the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, it is then time to check out the documents itself …

 

 

… at the Great Essentials exhibit, located in the West Wing of Independence Hall.

 

 

Also on exhibit is the silver inkstand that, according to tradition, was used during the signing of both the Declaration and Constitution.

 

 

And that concludes my historical lesson on how the USA gained her independence.