Our Nation’s Birthplace: Philadelphia With Your Grandchild

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.

At the hotel.

At the hotel, we’ll gather for a songfest sing-along with Joe Becton and his guitar as he relates 18th century history.

At the hotel.

We will board a motorcoach and ride ten blocks to the Colonial City, America’s most historic square mile, for a field trip to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. These national treasures are icons of American democracy. The old cracked bell still proclaims “Liberty” and Independence Hall echoes the words “We the People.” This was Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia and we’ll learn about history and America’s continuing struggle to fulfill the Founders’ Declaration that “all men are created equal.” We’ll then walk to the Museum of the American Revolution.

We will have vouchers provided at the Museum of the American Revolution.

Next, we’ll explore Museum of the American Revolution. It has an impressive collection of several thousand objects, works of art, manuscripts, and printed works from the period of the American Revolution. The collection began more than a century ago when a history-minded minister in Valley Forge raised funds from around the country to purchase the original tent that George Washington used as his command center during the American Revolution. It was the beginning of a rich and diverse collection that continues to grow. There are objects that span the scope of the war: from British, French, and American arms used in battles to a soldier’s wooden canteen branded “UStates,” at a time when the phrase was merely an aspiration. We’ll return to the hotel after our field trip with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

“Ben Franklin” has returned (in the person of a costumed interpreter) and hasn’t aged a day! Old Ben will join us for dinner to tell us about his childhood and accomplishments as a grown-up.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set out via motorcoach for a field trip to explore Old City highlights including Elfreth’s Alley, the Betsy Ross house, and Franklin Court. Elfreth’s Alley is a residential street that spans 300 years of history. It celebrates working people who helped build America and today is home to artists, artisans, educators, entrepreneurs and more. Betsy Ross made our first national flag. Or did she? At the Betsy Ross House, we’ll learn about the tradition that George Washington visited this Philadelphia seamstress in 1776 and asked her to make the flag from a design he gave her. And we’ll see “Betsy” herself! Franklin Court was the site of Benjamin Franklin’s handsome brick home while he served in the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. This is where Franklin died in 1790. About 20 years after his death, the house was torn down. Today, part of the National Park Service, the site contains a steel “ghost structure” outlining the spot where the house stood and features the Benjamin Franklin Museum. From the National Park Service: “The museum features artifacts, computer animations, and interactive displays. The exhibits are geared toward visitors of all ages, with displays that are educational, challenging, and fun.” The Franklin Court complex also includes a working reproduction of an 18th century printing office, an architectural/archeological exhibit, and an operating post office. After the field trip, we’ll head to Spruce Street Harbor Park.

At Spruce Street Harbor Park, we’ll have box lunches.

For this self-directed field trip, we will explore the Spruce Street Harbor Park. Named one of the best places to visit in Philadelphia by national press, it features colorful hammocks, floating gardens, beautiful lights, refreshing craft beer, and food from popular Philly restaurants, making it a summer gathering space for locals and visitors alike. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon will be free.

At a local restaurant

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will ride to the Franklin Institute, founded in 1824, to explore this outstanding science museum with wonderful hands-on exhibits. We’ll see a science experiment, The Amazing Machine, the Franklin Sports Exhibit, the Giant Heart where we will walk inside a two-story model, and more.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

On your own to enjoy the local foods of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure. You might like to independently take in a movie, attend a performance of theater or music, spend time with new Road Scholar friends, or just relax.

At the hotel.

We will ride to Rittenhouse Town for a special interpretive experience that teaches about life in an early American village. We’ll learn to use early techniques to make paper just like William Rittenhouse, British North America’s first papermaker. This is a great way to learn about Rittenhouse Town’s contributions to American society as well as the importance of early American occupations and resources. We’ll be able to take our paper with us when we leave. We’ll also learn about 18th century life through a kid’s eyes — clothing, games, and chores — that would have been to Rittenhouse children more than 250 years ago.

At Rittenhouse Town, we’ll have box lunches.

Next, we’ll reboard the motorcoach and ride to Valley Forge National Park. This is where the Continental Army camped during the winter of 1777-1778. We’ll learn what happened through the eyes of a revolutionary soldier — a local expert in traditional attire — who will be our “time traveler.” Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At a local restaurant.

We will ride to Franklin Square where kids will have an opportunity to play a round of miniature golf and/or ride a carousel. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure after our last field trip in the morning.

At the hotel.

We’ll hop aboard a motorcoach for a field trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of America’s greatest. We will visit the galleries of the Middle Ages and see medieval armor. Returning to the hotel, this concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!