NEW STORIES, NEW TOURS, NEW HEROES TAKE OVER PHILADELPHIA’S HISTORIC DISTRICT THIS SUMMER
Once Upon A Nation Is Next Phase In The Redevelopment Of Independence Mall

Philadelphia, May 9, 2005 — Everyone knows that Betsy Ross stitched the United States’ first flag, but not too many realize that the famous seamstress was a three-time widow, an entrepreneur and a munitions maker. Few know that Independence Hall, the birthplace of the nation, once had a museum on the second floor that housed a mastodon skeleton where curator Charles Wilson Peale hosted a banquet. And hidden in American history is the story of the dramatic journey of James Forten, a free African American who served in the Navy during the Revolutionary War, made a fortune as a sailmaker, and became a leader in the abolitionist movement.

Beginning Memorial Day Weekend 2005, visitors to Philadelphia’s Historic District will learn these and other untold stories during Once Upon A Nation, a new summer-long celebration, featuring Adventure Tours (paid walking tours), twilight to-dos such as interactive “1776” The Movie-Musical and storytelling by historical heroes, Harmony Lane (colonial re-enactments), and free storytelling benches throughout the historic district.

New Stories

Thirteen new storytelling benches in and around Philadelphia’s Historic District are the centerpieces of the project, set to be fully unveiled over three summers. At the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Franklin Court and many other locations, visitors will come face-to-face with storytellers who will captivate them with tales from Philadelphia’s past. To help them navigate their way from bench to bench and story to story, they’ll be offered a free issue of The Gazette complete with full details, schedules, and an easy-to-read map.

Entertaining visitors and residents daily and free-of-charge from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 28 – September 5 (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), the storytellers in contemporary dress will begin their tales with the ringing of a special town crier bell. Not only will the modern-day storytellers entertain visitors, but they’ll also act as ambassadors to the city, providing directions and dining tips.

To merit this ambassador status, the storytellers and historical characters will be specially trained at Philadelphia’s new Benstitute, a three-week certification program that will provide training in Philadelphia history, the art of storytelling, and customer service. Building on the legacy of Benjamin Franklin, the Benstitute will match the Founding Father’s lifelong goals of engaging the mind, serving the public and improving society.

New Evening Activities

Storytelling will continue into the evenings with newly commissioned works by nationally-renowned writers at the Free Quaker Meeting House. Master storyteller Syd Lieberman is creating a feature-length tale entitled The Summer of Treason, focusing on the Declaration of Independence.  On other nights, adventure seekers can meet and hear tales from Edgar Allan Poe, who spent some of his most prolific years in Philadelphia, or hear stories from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson re-enactors by candlelight.  Those in the mood for music can join in a hysterically historical showing of 1776 The Movie-Musical, complete with props and song lyrics at the Independence Living History Center. (See Fact Sheet for schedule and prices.)

New Adventure Tours

Guided by a gossipy historical character, visitors can step back in time in the middle of the thriving and bustling Old City neighborhood for an interactive glimpse of the lives and events that shaped the birth of our nation.  These newly developed Adventure Tours will highlight major historic landmarks as well as some little-known, hidden treasures.  Hunt for Democracy Morning Adventure Tour participants will witness both sides of the heated argument over Independence, and vote on whether or not to take up arms.  Independence After Hours Evening Adventure Tour takers will walk through the shadows of Independence Hall (in this unique opportunity to visit inside the Hall at night, with no crowds) and experience what those late nights of the summer of 1776 were like for the Founding Fathers.  Independence After Hours includes a three-course Colonial dinner at City Tavern and a ticket to the Lights of Liberty Show.  Also on Thursday nights, a Tippler’s Tour will wind through the streets of Old City, imbibing drinks and a little sip of history at Colonial and modern-day watering holes. (See Fact Sheet for schedule and prices.)

Historical Re-enactments

Rounding out the experience will be new historical re-enactments, complementing already popular free offerings such as The Military Muster, in which children are recruited into the Continental Army and drilled in the art of marching and musket etiquette. New this summer is Harmony Lane at 4^th and Walnut Streets, one of Philadelphia’s first neighborhoods, where visitors will see costumed Colonial characters going about their day—churning butter, hanging laundry, and exchanging stories about their lives.  Visitors can also experience the fun of being young in Colonial Philadelphia as they play hoops and marbles and hop scotch.  In addition, a glass armonica (an invention of Benjamin Franklin’s) performance will take place daily in Carpenters’ Hall.  Colonial crafters and characters will also appear every day at the Betsy Ross House and Independence Visitor Center.

New Use For An Old Space

The newly refurbished Independence Living History Center, 3^rd and Chestnut Streets, formerly the Visitor Center, will host a living archaeology lab and allow visitors to watch as archaeologists conserve more than a million artifacts from one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods of Quakers, slaves, and free African Americans, now the site of the National Constitution Center.  One of Once Upon A Nation’s storytelling benches and craft demonstrators will bring to life the traditions of the people who lived there.  The reopening of this building is a partnership of Independence National Historical Park, the National Constitution Center, and Once Upon A Nation.

New Hotel Package

Visitors can extend their time in Philadelphia by taking advantage of a new hotel package created especially for those in town to experience the storytelling celebration. The Once Upon A Nation Family Hotel Package includes overnight deluxe room accommodations at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park, valet parking, a welcome bag and milk and cookies for the kids. Available from May 28 through September 5, the package is $169 per night, plus tax. Visitors can book the package directly through the hotel at (215) 925-0000.

Coming in 2006

In 2006, Once Upon A Nation will open Heritage Fair at Franklin Square.  In an effort to reclaim green space for Philadelphia residents and further enliven the Historic District, Once Upon A Nation will debut the newly revitalized Square as a legacy to the celebration of Ben Franklin’s 300th birthday. Elements in the Square will include brand new attractions such as the Liberty Carousel, Philly Mini Golf, Live From the Past giant LED screens, two playgrounds, whirligig archway, gardens, storytelling, craft demonstrations, Philly snacks, and a renovated Franklin Square Fountain. Also in 2006, more storytelling benches and Adventure Tours into such regional sites as Valley Forge National Historical Park and Cliveden will enhance the experience for residents and visitors alike.

Once Upon A Nation is being developed in partnership with the Independence National Historical Park, the Fairmount Park Commission, the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. 

Once Upon A Nation funders include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Citizens Bank, Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Starbucks Coffee Company, Rohm and Haas Company, WPVI-TV 6ABC, and The American Revolution Patriots Fund. Media partners for the 2005 season of Once Upon A Nation are WPVI-TV 6ABC; The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com; and Philadelphia Magazine. In-kind support is being provided by the City of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park Commission, Independence National Historical Park, The Home Depot, and Starbucks Coffee Company. Corporate partners providing discounts and packages are Amtrak and Omni Hotel at Independence Park.

In addition, Community Partners are organizations working in cooperation with Once Upon A Nation to help promote Philadelphia’s Historic District.  Current Community Partners include: Adventure Aquarium, African American Museum in Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House, Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Betsy Ross House, The Bourse, Camden Riversharks, Center City District, Christ Church, City Tavern, Elfreth's Alley, First Person Arts, Independence Visitor Center, Lights of Liberty Show, Mercer Museum-Fonthill, National Constitution Center, National Museum of American Jewish History, Old City District, Omni Hotel at Independence Park, Penn's Landing Corporation, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia Trolley Works, Reading Terminal Market, Ride the Ducks, Ritz Theatre Group, RiverLink Ferry, Sesame Place, The Big Bus Company, The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia, The Food Trust, The Franklin Institute, and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Once Upon A Nation (formerly the Philadelphia Heritage Project) is an initiative of Historic Philadelphia, Inc. (HPI). Historic Philadelphia, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by executive order of then-Mayor Edward G. Rendell. HPI works closely with Historic District stakeholders and the hospitality community to continue to build Philadelphia's tourism industry into an engine for economic growth. Through interpretation, interactive experiences, evening programming and Adventure Tours, Once Upon A Nation will enhance the tourist experience in Philadelphia, educate the visitor and make our nation's history relevant to today.  For more information, call (800) 537-7676 or visit www.onceuponanation.org.

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The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) builds the region’s economy and image through destination marketing to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676

2005

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