From Founding Fathers to Forts: An RV Journey Through Philadelphia

The Museum of the American Revolution, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth’s Alley

The Museum of the American Revolution

Start with the basics by visiting The Museum of the American Revolution, which complements its exhibits with history classes and guided tours. Then head over to Independence Hall to see the room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed.

The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell, which was used to summon citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, is housed in a separate building next to Independence Hall.

Betsy Ross House

Also nearby is the Betsy Ross House, the seamstress many credit with sewing the first American flag.

Elfreth's Alley

Finish off the day at Elfreth's Alley, one of the oldest continually inhabited streets in America. The street dates back to 1703 and features an exceptional collection of early American structures built between 1720 and 1836. Most of the homes are privately owned, but two of them, #124 and #126, are used for the Elfreth's Alley Museum, run by the Elfreth's Alley Association. The Association was founded in 1934 to preserve and protect the Alley and tell the story of its inhabitants, who were primarily artisans and working-class laborers.

The Benjamin Franklin Museum, the Mutter Museum, and the Simeone Foundation Museum

The Benjamin Franklin Museum

It’s hard to overestimate Benjamin Franklin’s impact as a Founding Father of the United States. Franklin was not only a political figure who edited and signed the Declaration of Independence. He also served as America’s first ambassador, and is also credited with many other achievements, such as launching America’s first newspaper, circulating library, public hospital, liberal arts academy, volunteer fire department, and more.

He was also internationally known for his discoveries in science and his inventions, which include the lightning rod, bifocals and swim fins. The museum highlights Franklin’s life and his many contributions to science, politics and journalism. Visitors can also explore the underground museum complex, which includes the remains of Franklin’s house. Franklin owned the house and print shop on Franklin Court.

The Mutter Museum

The Mutter Museum, founded in 1863 by Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter, is considered to be America’s finest museum of medical history. Museum displays include beautifully preserved collections of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments in a 19th-century “cabinet museum” setting.

The museum helps the public understand the mysteries and beauty of the human body and to appreciate the history of diagnosis and treatment of disease. The museum collection includes a specimen from John Wilkes Booth’s vertebra, a plaster cast and conjoined liver of the Siamese Twins, Chang and Eng, Dr. Joseph Hyrtl’s human skull collection, slides of Albert Einstein’s brain, and more.

The Simeone Foundation Museum

The Simeone Foundation Museum features 60 of the world’s rarest and most famous race cars from Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Maserati. The collection includes a race car from 1909, a 1958 Aston Martin DBR1 that Stirling Moss drove to victory, and a 1938 Alfa Romeo, winner of the Mille Miglia, among others.

 

The African American History Museum, the President’s House Exhibit, and the Kennett Underground Railroad Bus Tour

The African American History Museum

Philadelphia’s African American Museum tells the story of African Americans through family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts and entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law, and technology.

The President’s House Exhibit

After visiting the African American Museum, take a walk back to the Liberty Bell Center to check out an outdoor exhibit next door titled "The President's House." The exhibit tells the story of the paradox of liberty and enslavement coexisting in one home — and the nation — at the time of America’s founding.

George Washington and John Adams both lived in the nation’s first executive mansion in Philadelphia during their terms. However, Washington brought nine of his slaves from Mount Vernon to work at the executive mansion, which once stood on the site of the outdoor exhibit.

Kennett Square

About an hour’s drive west of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, you can take a two-hour Underground Railroad Heritage Bus Tour. These family-friendly tours include Underground Railroad sites, historic homes, and Quaker meetinghouses as well as information about anti-slavery activities in the Kennett Square area.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art explores various aspects of both U.S. and world history, including immigration, colonialism, trade, and what the museum calls “underrepresented narratives.” The museum’s holdings encompass more than 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years, including pieces from the ancient world, medieval times, the Renaissance, the Impressionist movement, and modern day. The museum’s collections include paintings by Renoir, Van Gogh, and Picasso

The Frankford Avenue Bridge and Fort Mifflin

Frankford Avenue Bridge

The Frankford Avenue Bridge was built in 1697 in the Holmesburg section of northeast Philadelphia. The American Society of Civil Engineers describes the bridge as the first known stone arch built in the U.S., and probably the oldest stone bridge in the country. Delegates from the First and Second Continental Congresses crossed over the bridge enroute to Philadelphia. George Washington also crossed the bridge in 1789 as he made his way to his first presidential inauguration in New York.

Fort Mifflin

Fort Mifflin was built in 1771 and is considered the oldest active military facility in the United States and the nation’s only operating base that predates the Declaration of Independence. The fort survived the greatest bombardment of the American Revolution, enduring more than 10,000 cannonballs fired by British forces. The fort showcases British-made Brown Bess rifles and other war instruments.

Fort Mifflin is open to visitors from March through December. Visitors can tour the historic grounds and Revolution-era buildings and watch reenactments. If you contact the fort in advance, you can investigate paranormal activity on guided candlelight tours, or take part in “open investigation evenings” and overnight sleepovers, since Fort Mifflin is considered to be one of the most haunted locations in the country.