Visitors will get a taste of America's rebellious spirit and revolutionary sensibility at Philly's Carpenter's Hall. Entrenched in American Revolution history, the hall was the meeting place of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and housed the First and Second Banks of the United States. In addition to its important role in national history, Carpenter's Hall is referred to as the birthplace of Pennsylvania — the state declared its independence here in 1776, days before national independence was established on the fourth of July.
Carpenter's Hall's universal appeal lies in the intriguing roles it played throughout the Revolutionary period, including serving as a troop hospital during the Revolutionary War, housing Benjamin Franklin's Library Company (the first lending library in America), being the site of the first federal bank robbery, and providing a venue for spy meetings between American and French allies who were secretly exchanging valuable information about their British enemies.
The historic building was originally constructed by skilled craftsmen to serve as the meeting place of the Carpenter's Guild (now known as the Carpenter's Company). The building is regarded as a superior example of Georgian architecture, thanks to its skilled industry proprietors. Inside, visitors can view a scale model and details of the building process, and a variety of historic furniture, portraits, and banners relating to the Revolutionary period are on display. The hall is still owned and maintained by the Carpenter's Company, which today consists of over 150 building-trade professionals.
The building is part of Independence National Historic Mall and is located near many other historical sites of interest, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
Attraction Information
- Admission:
- Free
- Hours:
- Tuesday through Sunday: 10am to 4pm, Closed Mondays
- Contact:
- Location: 320 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-925-0167
- Website: www.carpentershall.org
