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Symbolic Day
Jul. 5th, 2008 10:37 pmToday, we went to see the Liberty Bell, which interestingly wasn't called that until the Abolitionist movement decided to use it as a symbol of their cause; before then, is was known as the State House Bell, because is hung in the Pennsylvania State House and was rung to call the State Assembly to session.
Then we wandered off for a few hours, because the (free) tickets which we (or rather, MW) acquired by standing in line were for a 2:45 tour and it was just past 11:00. So we went over and visited the Ben Franklin museum, which was spread out through a set of buildings he owned and worked from, and was also underground. Some of his opinions were very funny, especially about liquor. Some were very enlightened, including his conclusion that black children are every bit as intelligent as white children, only lacking in the benefits of education and social equality.
We also heard some stories. There are thirteen storytelling stations in historical Philadelphia, and it you visit them all you can get some prize. We heard the story of the invention of bubble gum, and that of the Quaker activist that led to the Quaker abolitionist philosophy. The storyteller was very good, and reminded me that stories are humanity's oldest medium, and why.
Then we went to the Pennsylvania State House. It's generally known by another name, Independence Hall. The tour guide was amusing, and for the building in which the Declaration, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution was drafted . . . it's very small. I mean, really small. But the architecture was all in curvy lines and favored symmetry.
I also took a tour of the first Capitol building, which is right next to Independence Hall and served from 1790-1800, while DC was being built. The Representatives met on the ground floor, the Senate on the second. I have this to say: when your government is tiny, when your Senate is only twenty-six people, then you can really get stuff done.
And then we came back, fell asleep, and waited for it to get dark. Then we went out to an Indian buffet for dinner. (Look at Day 13.) It was even better than the one in Saint Louis, because it was all vegetarian. And of course, now I am so stuffed that it hurts and please pass the rice pudding.
Then we wandered off for a few hours, because the (free) tickets which we (or rather, MW) acquired by standing in line were for a 2:45 tour and it was just past 11:00. So we went over and visited the Ben Franklin museum, which was spread out through a set of buildings he owned and worked from, and was also underground. Some of his opinions were very funny, especially about liquor. Some were very enlightened, including his conclusion that black children are every bit as intelligent as white children, only lacking in the benefits of education and social equality.
We also heard some stories. There are thirteen storytelling stations in historical Philadelphia, and it you visit them all you can get some prize. We heard the story of the invention of bubble gum, and that of the Quaker activist that led to the Quaker abolitionist philosophy. The storyteller was very good, and reminded me that stories are humanity's oldest medium, and why.
Then we went to the Pennsylvania State House. It's generally known by another name, Independence Hall. The tour guide was amusing, and for the building in which the Declaration, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution was drafted . . . it's very small. I mean, really small. But the architecture was all in curvy lines and favored symmetry.
I also took a tour of the first Capitol building, which is right next to Independence Hall and served from 1790-1800, while DC was being built. The Representatives met on the ground floor, the Senate on the second. I have this to say: when your government is tiny, when your Senate is only twenty-six people, then you can really get stuff done.
And then we came back, fell asleep, and waited for it to get dark. Then we went out to an Indian buffet for dinner. (Look at Day 13.) It was even better than the one in Saint Louis, because it was all vegetarian. And of course, now I am so stuffed that it hurts and please pass the rice pudding.
