Student Group Travel to Philadelphia: A Natural Classroom

Philadelphia’s rich history and long list of attractions make the “City of Brotherly Love” a natural classroom for student groups. Made famous for the birthplace of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Philadelphia is a dynamic student group travel choice for learning about Colonial history and the Revolutionary period. Combine Philadelphia’s fascinating historical sites with its world-class museums, exciting attractions, fantastic entertainment, professional sports, signature shopping and delicious food, you then will have a recipe for both an educational and entertaining student tour, one that will touch your groups’ hearts and minds. Philadelphia not only retells the powerful stories of our nation’s past, but is willing to accommodate and entertain student groups as few other cities can. Philadelphia’s Historical Sites The historical aspects of Philadelphia are fascinating. Being both an indoor and outdoor museum of history, Philadelphia is famous for its role it played in forming our first republic government. As part of your trip, you and your student group should include the Historical Independence Walking Tour on your itinerary. The 2+ mile guided tour walks you through old city Philadelphia to 11 significant historical sites including:rnIndependence HallrnLiberty Bell CenterrnDeclaration HousernCarpenter’s HallrnSupreme CourtrnCongress HallrnFranklin CourtrnElfreth’s AlleyrnBetsy Ross HousernFireman’s HallrnChrist Church and Burial Ground Make sure your student group wears comfortable walking shoes before taking this tour as it is centered in the historical section of Philadelphia where cobblestone streets abound. If you decide to visit the more popular historical sites without taking the guided walking tour, then the following would meet and/or exceed your educational objectives.rnLiberty Bell Center – Having a new home in recent years, the Liberty Bell is now located across the street from Independence Hall. The center is equally powerful and dramatic as the Bell itself. Throughout this expansive and historical center, larger-than-life historic documents and graphic images explore both the facts and myths of the Bell. Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon. X-Rays give one an insider’s view of the Bell’s crack and inner workings. Short historical films trace how abolitionists and other groups adopted the Bell as its symbol of freedom and liberty for all. Independence Hall – Being the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Independence Hall is one of the most important historical landmarks in the United States. Major steps towards independence were taken here by delegates of the English colonies, amongst them George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence was signed in this building on July 4, 1776. Independence Hall was also the site where the American Flag was first unveiled in 1777. In 1781, the Articles of Confederation uniting all thirteen colonies were ratified here as well as the U.S. Constitution in 1787. National Constitution Center – On July 4, 2003, the City of Philadelphia opened the doors to the National Constitution Center. This captivating center tells the story of the U.S. Constitution by means of more than 100 interactive multimedia exhibits, photographs, sculpture, text, film and artifacts. The Kimmel Theater, a 350 seat star-shaped theater, features “Freedom Rising,” a multimedia production combining film, a live actor and video projection on a 360° screen to tell the stirring story of “We the People.” Christ Church and Burial Ground – Christ Church, founded in 1695, is an interesting place to explore Colonial and Revolution-era history. Its burial ground, which includes the tomb of Benjamin Franklin, is an authentic historic site for learning about the lives of early Americans. Betsy Ross House – The Betsy Ross House is recognized as the place where Betsy Ross lived when she made the first American Flag. Built around 1740, the house is located just blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center. rnOld City Hall – Old City Hall was Philadelphia’s second city hall and served as the home of the United States First Supreme Court between the years of 1791 and 1800. Valley Forge National Historical Park – The picturesque, rolling hillsides of 3,600 acre Valley Forge National Historical Park are a peaceful reminder of freedom won by men’s sacrifices long ago. It was here that General George Washington forged his Continental Army into a fighting force during the winter encampment of 1777-78. Overall, Philadelphia provides student groups a fascinating historical education about the beginnings of our first republic government and Colonial history. In addition and not even mentioned in this article are other world-class attractions and museums like the Adventure Aquarium, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Fels Planetarium and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Unlike any other city, Philadelphia provides student groups with unlimited attractions, museums, historical sites and monuments. As one can see, Philadelphia has it all!