by KYW's Jim Melwert
Talk about your great unions! "Ben Franklin" and "Betsy Ross" were being married by Mayor Nutter on Thursday night in front of Independence Hall.
If you've ever visited the Independence Mall area, chances are you've seen Ralph Archbold and Linda Wilde. The two are actors who portray Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross.
And on Thursday night, they were tying the knot in a real-life ceremony on a stage in front of Independence Hall.
Linda (Betsy) says it was just a plain, old wedding before it became a city affair:
"We were engaged, and the city actually called us and asked us if we'd be part of 'Welcome America.' And we're not turning Philadelphia down!"
After the 8pm wedding, says Ralph (Ben), it would be off to the City Tavern:
"We will be in a carriage, and the dinner at City Tavern will be a wonderful, colonial type meal, served by colonial attired individuals."
Not so colonial gifts, though. The couple is registered at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and Ye Olde Home Depot.
Read more about Ben and Betsy at gophila.com.
(Photo by J. Smith for Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.)
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