PHILADELPHIA EXCURSION WITH FRIENDS

In 2006 I read "THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" and his life fascinated me. 

Last year, I read "BOOK OF AGES: THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF JANE FRANKLIN" (BEN's Sister) and enjoyed additional tidbits about BEN's life (and Jane's life). 

Over the years I've heard CHARLIE MUNGER (billionaire WARREN BUFFETT's business partner) refer to the witticisms of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. CHARLIE even wrote a book titled "POOR CHARLIE'S ALMANAC" (in respect to FRANKLIN'S book, "POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC").

Startled that BEN came from such a large family (17 children) and that he left Boston for PHILADELPHIA at the very young age of 17, I've always felt a fascination for the man - particularly for his knowledge, creativity, and sense of humor. Plus, he was such an important figure in the formation of our country - and all of this happened in PHILADELPHIA no less!

So I added to my "60 THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN MY 60's" list, to visit the BEN FRANKLIN MUSEUM in PHILADELPHIA one of these days.......

It's always more fun to travel and learn new things with friends, so I invited a group to join me. MARIA and her friend PAM, ANNA, MERRY and I all traveled by train to visit the museum.

Can't we all visualize BEN FRANKLIN wearing his circular glasses?

A list of SOME of his ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

I found particular humor in his "DAILY WINE CONSUMPTION" chart.  Below is for one month....... my kind of guy!

The start of PARASAILING??

And swimming FLIPPERS???

This PLASTER BUST of FRANKLIN is amazing - particularly because the artist hadn't met him yet!!

Don't you LOVE the tag-line "MIND YOUR BUSINESS" on one of these coins he designed?

Ahhhh..... the old CARRIAGE!

Right beside the MUSEUM is his ORIGINAL POST OFFICE (far right).

Original WIDE-PLANK FLOORS with SQUARE-HEADED NAILS!!

EXAMPLES of the dress of POSTAL WORKERS through the years (1700, 1775, 1868, and 1873).

Also beside the MUSEUM is an example and demo of his PRINTING PRESS.

Some "PHILADELPHIA STREET ART" we enjoyed as we walked to lunch.

Lunch at HIGH STREET MARKET was EXCELLENT. 

Homemade soups and breads - DELICIOUS! 

Take a look at the size of the OTHER HALF of my PASTRAMI ON RYE (with COLESLAW and SPICY MUSTARD) that I enjoyed the next day!

AFTER LUNCH we took a quick tour of the BETSY ROSS HOUSE, which many visited during their Elementary School field trip.  Somehow several of us had missed that opportunity.......

She made the FIRST AMERICAN FLAG (in secret) - usually in her room upstairs, so she wouldn't be "found out".

The house is TINY, as are the rooms. The TINY CIRCULAR STAIRCASES were a challenge to maneuver, and there were several of them!  Why so many in such a small house??

Notice the original WIDE-PLANKED, WOOD FLOORS here.
BEAUTIFUL!

Let me know if you try out her recipe for TURKEY POT PIE!

I love the COLONIAL OPEN STOVE in their kitchen.

We all agreed that we prefer MILK instead of water with our CHOCOLATE!!

Our last stop before heading back home on the train was ELFRETH'S ALLEY - home to many ARTISANS in the COLONIAL DAYS.  Written on the Historical sign there is:

"An exceptional collection of early American structures, built 1720's - 1830's, the alley contained the homes and shops of diverse artisans. Later, working-class immigrants lived here and labored in nearby industries. 

Residents began preservation efforts in 1934."

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a visit to these PHILADELPHIA TREASURES. Even if you DID see them in Elementary School, it might be time for another visit.  They are each WONDERFUL.

JOAN