Formerly the largest prison facility in America, the Eastern State Penitentiary is now Philadelphia’s major tourist attraction. What was once the most expensive prison in the country now stands in ruins, but that does not stop curious tourists from visiting the attraction. A first-of-its-kind, the penitentiary implemented previously unheard ideas of incarceration, which prioritized reformation over punishment. Today, the vaulted cell blocks and central rotunda invite many a tourists keen on knowing the eventful history of this fascinating establishment. What adds to the curiosity of the masses is the fact that the prison was home to notorious inmates such as ‘Slick Willie’ Sutton and Al Capone.
Few artistic geniuses have captured the human form and condition in sculpture-like Auguste Rodin. Marvel at perhaps his most famous work, The Thinker, and wonder at the introspective nature of man and the might that is thought and creation. The Kiss and other noteworthy sculptures are also on hand including his last work, Gates of Hell. Apart from the French Rodin Musee, the Philadelphia locale is considered the largest collection of his masterpieces.
A working-class Philadelphian himself, Dr Albert Coombs Barnes established the foundation in 1922 to promote appreciation of the fine arts among the common man. Over the years, the Barnes Foundation has procured one of the most noteworthy collections of early French modern and post-impressionist paintings in the world. Works by artists like Renoir, Cezanne, Monet, Picasso and Rousseau are part of the collection. The collection has only toured once and then only a fraction of it was sent out. It is necessary to call ahead for a reserved admission ticket.
Please Touch Museum is a must-visit when in town. Located in Memorial Hall, it features whimsical installations, interactive exhibits and optical illusions. Create music with your feet by stepping on the Walking Piano, meet characters from Alice in Wonderland, cross rivers in the rainforest and manoeuvre a flying machine. Visitors can attend activities and programs on various topics, from history to science, in an educational yet fun way. Make a pit stop at their Please Taste Café, or attend a folk performance or puppet show at their theatre. A popular attraction among children is their wooden carousel and yearly themed Storybook Ball where their favourite fairy tales come alive.
The African American Museum is famous for carefully preserving and analyzing the pictorial and material culture and heritage of the African Americans. Over so many years of efforts, the museum has stored about 5 lac objects, images, documents, dressings, pictures and books of the natives. Major events held here are Celebrate Africa 2008!, Discover Greatness, AAMP Art and Quilters' Roundtable. Generally, on Saturdays, there are Family Days which feature face painting, story telling sessions, choreographed dances and projecting films. Local artists put on their beautiful art-work based on lives of entertainers, politicians and freedom fighters.
Barclay Farm House is a Federal-style farmhouse dating back to the 19th Century. Spanning across 32 acres (12.95 hectares) of land, the farmhouse features a herb garden, farm buildings, playground, community gardens, orchard and nature trails following River Cooper. Besides numerous tours of the interiors, the house also plays host to outdoor concerts, craft fairs and other such cultural events. If you want to glimpse at a slice of local history and culture, then a visit to Barclay Farm House can be a great idea. Note that besides the usual timings, Barclay Farm House is also open to the public on the first Sunday of every month from April to November between 12p to 4p.
Heritage Glass Museum established in 1979 is a historic glass museum. It is built to promote the glass manufacturing industry and it houses old glass bottles, tools of workers from the glass factories, fruit jars, historical and Figural Flasks and other hand blown glass items. The museum will present you with the transition that came about in the glass manufacturing industry and also explain about the process of making glassware. Visit the place to know about what era each of their glassware belonged to with a piece of information on the local culture. Group tours of 8 people or more can be scheduled 2 weeks in advance by emailing the museum. Well-behaved pets are welcome to the museum.
Indian King Tavern, also known as Creighton House or Creighton Tavern, is a colonial structure built around 1750. The historical building is of political significance as it is the site where New Jersey transitioned from being a colony into a state. The tavern is also significant for being the site of many important political meetings, including the 1777 New Jersey Assembly that ratified the Declaration of Independence. Restored into a museum, it features antique furniture from the 18th Century, along with other artifacts used by the settlers.
Wharton Esherick Studio is where the great artist and craftsman Wharton Esherick worked his magic until his demise in 1970. The studio was his dream, taking around nearly 4 decades to build. The structure is a reflection of his personality, with echoes of German Expressionism in every corner. The studio now functions as a museum showcasing his lifetime's work which includes an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, antiques, and artifacts.
As its name suggests, The William Brinton 1704 House was constructed in 1704 by its owner at the time, William Brinton. Jr. Located in the southern region of West Chester, this house accommodated the Brinton family for over 150 years, until it was taken over by a local non-profit organization known as the Brinton Connections who converted into a museum in 1967. Tours are offered by appointment, allowing visitors to delve into Brinton history in detail.
Erected in 1682, The Richard Wall House is one of Pensylvania's oldest standing houses accommodating the Wall family for over 3 generations. The property also includes an estate area that spans an acre (0.40 hectares), adding a layer of greenery to the site where the house stands. A subject of numerous reconstructive procedures due to change in ownership as well as age, the house slightly differs from its original state. Tours of the house are available for visitors, offering a sneak peek into life in general, around 300 years ago.
Built in 1783, the Free Quaker Meetinghouse in Philadelphia, is historically known as the Quaker Meeting House. During the Revolutionary War, a group of Quakers felt the need to form a group of approximately 200 and call themselves Free Quakers. The Revolution was too big to ignore, therefore these Quakers wanted to assist in the conflict. Today, the meetinghouse exhibits two original benches, an original window (still intact) and a 5-pointed star tissue pattern used by Betsy Ross while making the first American flag. Among the exhibits is a guide who will demonstrate how to cut a 5-pointed star in one snip.