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Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

Overview

This tour visits The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton's homes, and sites of numerous Founding Fathers including Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Monroe, and others. Admission is included to numerous historical sites. Every guide has a history degree.

City: Philadelphia

Mon 23 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Dec

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Admission to Historic Sites

Every Guide Has a History Degree

Liberty Bell, Franklin; Abundant Sightseeing

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

What To Expect

Liberty Bell Center

Come with us as we visit The Liberty Bell, perhaps the most famous symbol of American Liberty in the National Historic Park. Commissioned in 1752 the bell cracked on its initial test ring and was re-casted two years later by local workman John Pass and John Stow with the lettering, "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof," a quote from the King James Bible referring to the jubilee when slaves were freed and debts forgiven every fifty years. It's this bell that would ring to call lawmakers to their meetings and the townspeople together to hear the reading of the news. Benjamin Franklin wrote to Catherine Ray in 1755, "Adieu, the Bell rings, and I must go among the Grave ones and talk Politicks." After ninety years of heavy use the new narrow crack that had again formed was purposefully widened in an attempt to restore the bell's tone. It did not work, and the Philadelphia Public Ledger takes up the story in its February 26, 1846 publication: "The old Independence Bell rang its last clear note on Monday last in honor of the birthday of Washington and now hangs in the great city steeple irreparably cracked.

Independence Hall

We will visit Independence Hall: the building where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. The historic structure is now the centerpiece of the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. Independence Hall was the principal meeting place of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783 and was the site of the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787 where 55 of America's greatest statesman hammered out The Constitution of These United States.

The President's House

We will visit America's first "White House" where President's George Washington and John Adams both served tenure when Philadelphia was capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. Foreign dignitaries and members of congress and senate frequented The President House for official and unofficial business. Benedict Arnold lived also in the structure as Military Governor in Philadelphia after the British evacuation of the city during the American War for Independence.

Congress Hall

We will visit Congress Hall, a historic structure which hosted two presidential inaugurations (Washington and Adams) and was the home of U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States.

Franklin Court

We will visit Franklin Court, a complex of museums, structures, and historic sites within Independence National Historical Park, and home to Benjamin Franklin during his tenure in the Constitutional Convention. We will discuss there the life and times of one of America's most prolific individual's and statesman (Benjamin Franklin) who when contemplating revolution against the British crown said, "Gentleman we must hang together, or surely we will all hang separately."

New Hall Military Museum

We will visit the location of America's first Pentagon, where American military strategy and intelligence was formulated during the American Revolution.

Benjamin Franklin Museum

We will discuss the life and times of American Patriot Benjamin Franklin, from his electrical experiments, printing and publishing activities, to his life as a statesman.

B. Free Franklin Post Office

We will visit the Benjamin Franklin Post Office & Museum, the only Colonial-themed post office operated by the United States Postal Service. It is a living portrayal of a bygone Colonial lifestyle, and it is the only active post office in the United States that does not fly the American flag (because there was not yet one in 1775 when Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster General). The postmark "B. Free Franklin" is still used to cancel stamps. The museum on the second floor features displays of postal history and memorabilia.

Carpenters' Hall

We will visit Carpenters' Hall, the site of the First Continental Congress in 1774, where on three nights in December 1775 Benjamin Franklin meet in secret meetings with John Jay, Fancis Daymon, and the French spy Julien Achard de Bonvouloir. The meetings eventually led to negotiations for French support of the colonists. The colonies likely would not have been able to win the Revolutionary War without French aid. Over the winter of 1777 British forces occupying the American capital during the War for Independence and occupied this building.

First Bank of the United States

We will visit the First Bank of the United States. Championed by Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury, the First Bank of the United States was founded in 1797 and is significant for its architectural design.

Second Bank of the United States

Modeled on Alexander Hamilton's First Bank, the Second Bank of the United States was chartered by President James Madison in 1816 and lost its charter under Andrew Jackson's presidency in 1834. We will discuss here Alexander Hamilton and Andrew Jackson: and famous duels fought by both men among other things.

American Philosophical Society Museum

The American Philosophical Society was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin two years after the University of Pennsylvania, with which it remains closely tied. Early members included George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine, David Rittenhouse, Nicholas and Owen Biddle, Benjamin Rush, James Madison, and others. We will discuss here as we walk by, Franklin, University of Pennsylvania, and America's first surgical center adjacent to the structure here.

Library Company of Philadelphia

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, the Library Company is the first institution in the world to lend materials to members of the public. We will discuss, as we walk by, the history of the site and historic location...and early statesman frequenting the location.

Todd House

We will see the home of future First Lady Dolley Madison, where she lived with her first husband, John Todd, from 1791-93. Built in 1775, the Dolley Todd House site reflects the lifestyle of the middle class in 18th century Philadelphia which we will get a glimpse in to.

Independence Visitor Center

Check-in and revolutionary history introduction at the beginning of our historic walking tour.

Grim Philly Twilight Tours

Every guide has a history degree. Most are history teachers and American History Professors.

Show 13 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (390)

bethfH3960XN

Dec 2022

The tour was fantastic. Our guide, Bill was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable of not only the history but the area, and was very witty and kept things interesting.

RKway

Dec 2022

Tons of great info, enthusiastically shared by tour guide Bill who is a native Philadelphian and history teacher. However this tour does not include entry to the actual Independence Hall.

Rusty H

Dec 2022

Bill was our tour guide and he was perfect! Bill has a wealth of American History knowledge!He has lived here since he was born. He is very good at managing the group through crowds and making sure people in the group stay together and are able to hear him. He is very inviting to answer your questions. Skip the museums on your own and book this tour!!! You will learn so much more and walk away with a much better understanding. Many thanks to Bill!