While touring Philadelphia, I wasn’t surprised to keep running into Lafayette, our French hero from the American Revolution.
However, I did expect some great tours to iconic sights, all of which happened.
LAFAYETTE SIGHTING AT INDEPENDENCE HALL
What I did not expect to see was signage explaining that on his 1824-25 tour, Lafayette dubbed this historic building, Independence Hall.
Outside of these rooms was the grand staircase. I felt like breaking out into song and dance with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson!
CONGRESS HALL
Across the courtyard was Congress Hall, where Presidents George Washington (second term) and John Adams took their oath of office.
Washington’s first term of office was in the capital of New York City!
Then the capital moved to Philadelphia under Washington’s second term.
John Adams began his presidency in Philadelphia then moved to the President’s house in Washington DC.
LAFAYETTE BUILDING
As we left the Independence and Congress Hall park, I was surprised-not surprised to see another Lafayette sighting!
A hotel across the street that was built in the early 20th century was named the Lafayette Building.
Lafayette so loved America, he’d be pleased if he knew of the building’s locations on Chestnut Street, across from Independence Hall in one direction, and the Liberty Bell in another.
HOAGIES A FAMILY TRADITION
By this time it was lunch time, so we had to try the hoagies in Philadelphia.
As a little girl, I often visited the Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon area, where my mom grew up in a small town with American Revolution history of its own.
Our favorite meal while visiting came from a deli owned by an Italian family, where we’d buy hoagies and bologna.
Nothing compares.
Since the business has long since closed, I can only hope someone has a similar recipe.
As we walked by a deli run by an Italian family, my hopes rose.
Walking in, we ordered some hoagies and some Philly Cheesesteaks.
Although the hoagies were close to the ones I remember growing up, the cheesesteaks were the best I ever had!
I couldn’t eat all my portions, so I had great left overs for the week.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PRINT SHOP
My daughter found this broadside from Williamsburg, Virginia on the wall!
LIBERTY BELL
HOME OF PRESIDENTS WASHINGTON AND ADAMS
Then we walked to the building where George Washington and John Adams each lived while presidents of the United States.
Today the site is comprised of mere knee walls to represent the old foundations.
DECLARATION HOUSE
This is where Thomas Jefferson resided and wrote the Declaration of Independence.
SUPREME COURT
Back through the hustle and bustle of traffic we walked to where the Supreme Court presided when this was the nation’s capital under the administrations of presidents Washington and Adams.
LAFAYETTE SIGHTING AT PORTRAIT GALLERY
Then we went to the Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States. Many Charles Wilson Peale paintings were here, including one of Lafayette from his 1824-25 tour!
KOSCIUSZKO HOUSE
Next, we walked away from the hustle and bustle of Chestnut Street down a lovely historic street lined with quaint 18th century townhomes, where we found the Thaddeus Kosciuszko house.
Upon entering, we watched a great movie about his life.
This Polish man who was educated in Warsaw and Paris was like Lafayette, inspired by the ideals of liberty and freedom in his own country and America.
Originally commissioned as a colonel, he ended his American military career with the rank of brigadier general.
His first strategic plan of action occurred at Fort Ticonderoga, which was under threat of British attack as they sought to gain control of the network of New York waterways, cutting New England off from the rest of the states.
However, Kosciuszko’s advice was ignored.
Later the British successfully took over the fort by employing the very same engineering tactics Kosciuszko suggested.
With the British in control of Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga, the Hudson River was next.
On the Hudson River, Kosciuszko developed two major fortifications that fended off the British.
Kosciuszko’s contributions as military engineer for the American army successfully began at his ingenious earthwork fortifications at the bluff overlooking the Hudson River, the site of the Battle of Saratoga.
That strategically aided America’s first major victory which encouraged the French to openly become allies with America.
Moving to West Point, Kosciuszko engineered a giant chain across the Hudson River, which came to be known as the American Gibraltar.
The British never attacked West Point.
This great military engineer rented a room upstairs in Philadelphia in the winter of 1797-1798, which is now displayed as to how his room might have looked, complete with his Society of Cincinnati medals.
FRANKLIN FOUNTAIN
Ever since my daughter and I saw Franklin Fountain on Food Network, we put that at the top of the list of our dreamed of vacation to Philadelphia.
Knowing it would be a fun treat in the afternoon, for cool refreshment, that was set for the agenda.
Since it was getting hot, the time we were waiting for had come.
Walking in to Franklin Fountain, we found us in an early 1900s soda fountain in regards to: decor, costume, ingredients, product, and technique!
Completely mesmerized by the skillful soda jerks pouring sodas exactly like the shop’s sign, we missed the best picture taking opportunities!
Creatively, the bottles on the wall are all the flavors that guests can choose from to design their own soda.
After each guest asked for a unique order, the soda jerks knew exactly what to do.
With no questions asked or recipe book referenced, they put on a show displaying how much they knew of old-fashioned techniques and recipes.
Easily, I could have stayed there all day and been completely entertained!
Apparently, one of the owners is a graduate of William and Mary College. As in the College of William and Mary next door to Colonial Williamsburg?
The kids and I got sodas, and another got a sundae.
I wanted a soda since I was curious as to the taste in the early 20th century…with the original fizzy stuff!
I had a cherry chocolate soda called a Cherry Bomb, ordered off the menu, whereas my kids created their own flavors.
My soda was deliciously rich, creamy, and chocolaty…as delicious as Texas Blue Bell.
I also learned on their blog that the owners play vintage baseball, like the type the kids and I saw a couple of years ago!
CRÈME DE LAFAYETTE FLAVOR
While reading the owner’s blog, I learned that they sometimes offer Crème de Lafayette flavor!
Franklin Fountain’s facebook page advertises their yearly flavor for Bastille Day: Créme de Lafayette, our annual limited batch of French Vanilla Ice Cream, swirled with pureed Raspberries and Blueberries.
We’ve got to return to check into this!
PENN’S LANDING
CHRIST CHURCH
Then we walked all the way through busy streets back to the center of town to Christ Church Cemetery where Benjamin Franklin and his wife and some of his children are buried.
For more photos, check my Flickr set.
