Philadelphia Sites #2

Carpenter's Hall is where our Founding Fathers met for the First Continental Congress. Many of the original furnishings are still there!

Carpenter's Hall is only one block from Independence Hall, Old City Hall and Congress Hall. Declaration Hall is about 3 blocks away. I guess Jefferson needed some "space" to get away and think

The building on the right is now a military museum and the house on the left is a gift shop that I intentionally stayed out of, there are always books to buy.

Original furnishings our Founders used!

It says "Carried in 1788" But, I'm unsure where it was carried to

The fireplace the Founders would have warmed themselves by. However, the steamheater to the left of the mantle is not from the time period :)

More original furnishings. How cool is that!!! When no one was watching,,,,I snuck a touch of it :)

Carpenter's Hall above.....Elfreth's Alley below

Elfreth's Alley is considered America's Oldest Alley of Homes. These are row houses that date to 1703. The homes are still occupied and owned and the owners must preserve the historical value of their property. Two of the homes are open as museums.

In the 1700's this would have been a mud pit for awhile before residents begin putting down cobblestones and brick. There are several yellow fever and typhoid epidemics that sweep through the area in the 1790's because of the stagnant water and filth.

Off the main alley is another smaller alley that leads to a courtyard that has the only working water pump for all the families of the time. Imagine 1760's having to come out of your home, walk a block, turn down an alley to get water from the only pump around.

A photo of the alley in the late 1880's

Two sisters owned this home and were well renowned seamstreses who made cloaks (like the one hanging) for the wealthier women of the area including Ben Franklins wife and daughters.

Kitchen

My very knowleageable guide

Upstairs bedroom with a weaving weasel in the corner. "Pop goes the weasel" comes from the use of this. When enough yarn is spun on it, it is full, it pops forward and it is done.

Upstairs bedroom with the footwarmer, shoes, and table.

City Tavern below

Tavern's were instrumental to our early history. Our Founding Fathers, all over the colonies, in every village, town and city, met at a tavern to discuss and argue politics and events of the day. All news passed through the doors of a tavern. Taverns served coffee, cider, beer, food and lodging for the locals and those passing through. This tavern is three stories and now serves as a restaurant on all floors. However, back then, would have rented rooms for the evenings.

Inside city tavern, I had dinner in the back corner under the window