Independence Mall in PA

 After that long day in NYC we needed to sleep in and hang out for a bit on Saturday morning.  Poor David was trying to study for Med school, and Whitney loved his attention so we needed to skedadle.  Shawna came with us to down town Philly to see Liberty Mall.  It's definitely one of the nicest parts of the city, and I loved it.  Many of the original buildings from the late 1700's are still standing and re-finished to look just like they did during Colonial times.

Here's Bart and me at the old City Hall.  This building was also used as headquarters for politics until the White House was built:

There is Independence Hall:  Where the Constitution & Declaration of Independence were written:

And this is the Liberty Bell.  You can see Independence Hall just behind it.  

Few facts about the Liberty bell:

1.  It never really worked that great.

2.  It originally had a crack, and then was split on purpose to try and repair the bell. 

3.  Those two little "screws" were put in there during that repair.

Shawna, Krista & MacKay

Here's Bart and me on our little tour of Independence Hall.  This is the room where the Declaration of Independence & Constitution were written.  See that chair behind Bart?  Yes, it is the exact one the George Washington sat it.  Pretty cool.

Independence Hall:  It's under construction.  

Our kids did pretty well on this tour.  Here's MacKay trying to get in some pre-nap snuggles with Bart:

Whitney only had one major melt-down during this tour:

Here's Sissy & me in the UPSTAIRS of Independence Hall.  Here is where they had meals and dances.  Only the elite were invited.  Looks like we made the cut:

Then we walked over to the unknown soldiers grave.  This was a square block where over 2,000 unknown soldiers (from the Revolutionary War) were buried.  I can honestly say it was a very Spiritual and sacred place.  I am grateful for those who sacrificed their lives so I could have the freedoms I have.  

And here's a classic Whitney moment.  Trying to snuggle with Bubba while we are taking pics:

Did you know????

Before the "handwritten" copy of the Declaration of Independence was written-out, there were first printed versions?  Yes, 200 of them were printed and sent to the different colonies.  Here is one of those "original copies".  This is actually OLDER and more "original" than the handwritten copy.  Pretty amazing.

Closer shot of G.W's chair:

And this is the original feather-ink "holder" that was used to sign both of those important documents.  I am in awe that our Founding Father's touched these items, and I am able to see them.  

What a neat day.  I am so grateful I was able to see and learn about our Nation's History.  It's really quite amazing.  I am in awe of the sacrifices people made.  They thought nothing of themselves but just went to war.  What an incredible time.  

After we saw these things, we went over to get some Cheesesteaks, had bath-time (Whitney's feet were black), and went to bed.