A Nighttime Tour of Old City Philadelphia, Circa 1776

 
by KYW's Lauren Lipton

The "Independence After Hours" evening adventure tour gives you a chance to see life in Philadelphia as it was in 1776, and  you meet characters who were here at the time.

It all begins with a three-course colonial dinner at historic City Tavern (above), where you hear from one woman who was thrilled at being in America and looking forward to freedom.  

"I'm Margaret McKiven, I'm an indentured servant, sailed over from Belfast. I have four more years of service here at the City Tavern, and I'll be free!"

(Taverngoers:)  "Hip, hip, huzzah!"

(John Dunlap, printer of the Declaration of Independence:)  "There you are, Mr. Jefferson. I've been looking all over for you."

(Thomas Jefferson:)  "Well, well, well, John Dunlap, printer of Philadelphia. I believe you are looking for my Declaration. Here it is, to print and for the world to see."

Then it's on to Independence Hall for a special nighttime tour.

(Pennsylvania State House gatekeeper:)  "Come in."

It's very hushed at night until John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin appear and argue over the wording of the Declaration.

(Thomas Jefferson:)  "The sentence I will read to you, 'We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable.' You struck out part of that sentence."

(Benjamin Franklin:)  "What was my edit?"

(Thomas Jefferson:)  "We hold these truths to be self-evident."

But wait a minute, the  gatekeeper could be in trouble!

(John Adams:)  "You are aware of the seriousness of the matter here -- the secrets!"

(Gatekeeper:)  "Oh yes sir, I am."

(John Adams:)  "Then what are these people (referring to the people taking the tour) doing here in the state house?!"

So we had to take a special pledge...

(Gatekeeper and audience, alternating:) "I solemnly swear / that I will keep secret / what I have heard tonight."

I was given special permission to tell you what went on.

For more information on this tour and many others, go to www.gophila.com.

That's Positively Philadelphia!
  

(Photos from Greater Phila. Tourism Marketing Corp.)