Arts by Dylan: Independence Hall Canvas

Originally built as the Pennsylvania State House it was loaned to the second continental congress and is the location of the passage of the Declaration of Independence, the appointment of George Washington as Commander in Chief, and the site of the Constitutional Convention. 

 

Across the Street is where Benjamin Franklin opened a library and the first bank in the USA was established in this same neighborhood. 

 

Local Civic Leadership in Philadelphia saved Independence Hall from developers in the early 1800's.  In 1799 the Pensylvania legislature decided to move their Capital to Harrisburg PA and no longer be centered in Philadelphia.  The state legislature owned "Independence Hall" and planned on selling the land and building to private developers for profit.  Philadelphia's city government appealed to the state legislature wishing to purchase the land at a slight discount for historic preservation and civic pride.  The state legislature rejected the proposal and demanded the full asking price of $150,000 instead of the $70,000 offer from Philadelphia.  

 

There was a civic campaign against the state legislature and in favor of historic preservation organized by the local government of Philadelphia.  After 3 years of political squabble and indecision the site was transfered to the the local government of Philadelphia in 1816.  This building is one of the very early examples of historic preservation in the United States of America.  Federal Hall in NYC did not receive the same treatment, it was town down and replaced with a Customs House and statue of George Washington.  Only a small portion of the balcony of where George Washington gave the first inagual adress remains.  However, Congress did fully implement the civic plans for the District of Columbia designed by Charles L'Enfant who also was charged with remodeling the old City Hall as the Federal Building on Wall Street.  

 

There has been a couple remodels over the course of 200 years and now the current location is managed by the National Park Service. 

 

Thankfully historic preservation is alive and well and greed sometimes does not win.  The worlds of History and Capitalism can and do live together as partners. 

 

Photographer: Dylan Carpowich