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“All my life I have tried to find the truth and make it beautiful.” – Sting

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The East Coast Diaries, Part V

It happens this way …

July 3rd started a block away from our hotel with a celebration with the Philadelphia Fire Department. Since Benjamin Franklin founded the first department, his bust stands proudly near the station.

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Then on to the Fire Hall Museum.

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Adjacent to this Museum is Elfreth’s Alley, an exceptional collection of early American structures built between the 1720s and 1830s. Diverse artisans first lived here.  Later, working class immigrations lived and worked nearby. Today, the houses are privately owned. One recently sold for $800K. One factoid: Because buildings were taxed based on the number of windows and outside steps and walls they had, the buildings are attached  with street-level entries.

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Next: Betsy Ross’s House where we met “Elizabeth” herself. She corrected us on her name and allowed us to take a “portrait” not a “photo” of her!

 

 

The third of July will be continued!

Written by:
Carolyn Martin
Published on:
July 17, 2019
Thoughts:
No comments yet

Categories: It happens this way ..., PostsTags: Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, Elfreth's Alley

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. B. E. Berger

    July 17, 2019 at 9:16 am

    Exciting! By the way, houses in parts of Holland were once taxed based on width of the building on the street. Thus those narrow tall buildings, one room to a floor 🙂

    Reply
  2. carolynmartinpoet

    July 17, 2019 at 9:31 am

    Thanks for the Holland tidbit! Interesting how economy influences architecture!

    Reply
    • B. E. Berger

      July 17, 2019 at 9:55 am

      Has long fascinated me!

      Reply
  3. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson

    July 17, 2019 at 10:02 am

    Love the photos of these old houses and the story about why they’re all connected.

    Reply

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