Owned and operated by The Carpenters' Company, Carpenters' Hall hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774. Carpenters' Hall is a treasure in historic Philadelphia.
It hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774 and was home to Benjamin Franklin's Library Company, The American Philosophical Society, and the First and Second Banks of the United States. Set humbly back from Chestnut Street, the Hall has been continuously owned and operated by The Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, the oldest trade guild in America, since 1770. Today it is also part of Independence National Historical Park.
It hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774 and was home to Benjamin Franklin's Library Company, The American Philosophical Society, and the First and Second Banks of the United States. Set humbly back from Chestnut Street, the Hall has been continuously owned and operated by The Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, the oldest trade guild in America, since 1770. Today it is also part of Independence National Historical Park.
Operating as usual
In advance of our event next week with Fort Mifflin concerning chevaux-de-frise, check out this interesting 2013 blogpost from This Week in PA Archaeology.
This week we are taking a brief pause in our travels to report on a spectacular discovery from the Delaware River. On November 10, 2012—23...
Wishing everyone a happy Independence Day.
Philadelphia, has a special connection to the history of American Independence. We hope that our followers took the opportunity to visit some of Philly's excellent historic sites and museums!
(And then, of course, went home to safely light and/or watch fireworks!)
Catch you guys at Wawa Welcome America !
Visit cultural institutions for an unbeatable price during the 16-day July 4th fest...
Kudos to our friends at the American Philosophical Society for making the Philadelphia Inquirer!
Archivists at the American Philosophical Society suspected the rare engraving may have been more than a “cheap Victorian facsimile,” but it took quite a while to make sure.
Tomorrow is the first federally recognized celebration of Juneteenth. On June 19th, 1865, chattel slavery was brought to an end following the announcement of General Order 3 by General Gordon Granger.
On June 17th, 2021 the President of the United States made Juneteenth a federal holiday.
There are various celebrations throughout the city this weekend, check them out!
https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/philadelphia-juneteenth-parade-and-festival/
https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/juneteenth-festival/
Celebrate African American freedom during this 15th annual event in Northwest Philly...
Consider attending AIA Philadelphia's "On the Rise" Reception + Exhibition on June 24.
On the Rise showcases designs from winners of the Philadelphia Emerging Architect and Young Architect Prize.
2020 Winners: Bright Common (PEA) + David Quadrini, AIA (YA) Explore creative designs from the rising stars of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This annual exhibition features current and past designs from the winners of the Philadelphia Emerging Architect (PEA) Priz...
We are pleased to announce that Carpenters' Company member Bill Holloway has been nominated by President Biden to serve on the board of the National Institute of Building Sciences.
Our kudos to him!
President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate William Holloway of Wilmington to the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences.
This Saturday and Sunday (June 5-6) come to Carpenters' Hall to check out these art projects by students from St. Mary Interparochial School.
Carpenters' Hall recently received a grant from the Connelly foundation to create program with these elementary students to learn about measuring and geometry at Carpenters' Hall. These art projects are the final result.
This Saturday and Sunday (June 5-6) come to Carpenters' Hall to check out these art projects by students from St. Mary Interparochial School.
Carpenters' Hall recently received a grant from the Connelly foundation to create program with these elementary students to learn about measuring and geometry at Carpenters' Hall. These art projects are the final result.
Carpenters' Hall was recently featured in this article for Youth Travel Planner!
Located in Old City, Philadelphia, Carpenters’ Hall is a National Historic Landmark that serves as a link to the past.
Join the Global Philadelphia Association for a round of World Heritage Week Quizzo on May 25th at 6:30 PM. Carpenters' Hall may or may not be featured in some of the questions 😏
Join us for a special Virtual World Heritage Week Quizzo hosted by KYW Newsradio’s Denise Nakano. Space is limited! You must submit this form to ensure your spot.
On view through the end of the week: "Measure Twice, Cut Once" by John Hopkins.
Can't make it? Check out this video tour of the exhibit with the artist!
On display from April 17 to May 16, 2021; "Measure Twice, Cut Once" has been an exhibit that's explored, through art, Benjamin Franklin's connections…
This coming Tuesday, May 11, artist Philadelphia's Own John Hopkins will be sitting in at Carpenters' Hall from 3 - 4 PM doing a live drawing demonstration. This demonstration will show off the techniques he used for the creation of our ongoing exhibit "Measure Twice, Cut Once."
The exhibit will be running until May 16!
A long time friend to the Philadelphia historical community- Kerry Bryan - was recently recognized by the city of Philadelphia for her years of service (often working without pay) to various historical and cultural sites in Philadelphia.
On April 15, the City Council of Philadelphia declared:
"RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that it herby honors historian and educator Kerry L. Bryan on the occasion of her 70th birthday."
Our kudos to Kerry for this momentous occasion!
A long time friend to the Philadelphia historical community- Kerry Bryan - was recently recognized by the city of Philadelphia for her years of service (often working without pay) to various historical and cultural sites in Philadelphia.
On April 15, the City Council of Philadelphia declared:
"RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that it herby honors historian and educator Kerry L. Bryan on the occasion of her 70th birthday."
Our kudos to Kerry for this momentous occasion!
Mindy Gulden Crawford, Executive Director of Preservation PA was recently recognized by Preservation Action as a "Preservation Action Hero." Our kudos to her! Keep an eye out for Mindy's program with us in June.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celibacy-and-sedition-pennsylvanias-other-18th-century-landmarks-tickets-150535470645?aff=erelexpmlt
Carpenters' Hall is just one of many 18th-century buildings in Pennsylvania designated as National Historic Landmarks.
Consider attending our April 18th kickoff event at 4PM for "Measure Twice, Cut Once" an art exhibit featuring the work of Philadelphia's Own John Hopkins. Through his art, John examines the effect that Franklin has had on the culture of the city of Philadelphia.
The exhibit will be on display until May 16th. It will be paired with a virtual reading group that examines Franklin's interest in architecture and cities. If you're interested, sign up below!
Join us for our reading group examining Benjamin Franklin from the perspective of Urbanism.
The photography of Denise Scott Brown will be on Exhibit at Temple Contemporary from May 20 through September 19, 2021.
Denise has been a long time member of The Carpenters' Company and her influence on the field of architecture can't be understated!
A DISCUSSION WITH PETER EXLEY AND CAROLINA VACCARO Thursday, April 22, at 4:00 p.m. Free and open to all via this Zoom link: This is the third talk in SAH Philadelphia’s The Elusive Philadelp…
Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, visited Carpenters' Hall in 1976 for the bicentennial. Here is his signature alongside Queen Elizabeth's in our guestbook.
Our condolences to the Royal Family.
Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, visited Carpenters' Hall in 1976 for the bicentennial. Here is his signature alongside Queen Elizabeth's in our guestbook.
Our condolences to the Royal Family.
Please note that Carpenters' Hall will be closed tomorrow, April 4th, for the Easter Holiday.
If you'd like to get a dose of Carpenters' Hall history in the interim, however, check out the digital exhibit on our archives website!
The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia owes its gratitude to the Charles E. Peterson and the creation of his Fellowship program, administered by the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, which has made so much of the material on this website possible.
In 1775, under the cover of darkness, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay met in secret at Carpenters' Hall with an emissary from France to discuss how the French court could support the American Revolution. It was one of the first incidents in Philadelphia's long history of covert activity.
Join authors H. Keith Melton and Robert Wallace, nationally recognized experts on America's espionage history and board members of the International Spy Museum in Washington DC, as they discuss some of their favorite sites from their recently republished book Spy Sites of Philadelphia.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spy-sites-of-philadelphia-tickets-143842285147
Authors H.K. Melton and Bob Wallace explore our city's multiple connections to the history of spying in America, including Carpenters' Hall.
Check out this article from Hidden City Philadelphia! It was written by the moderator of our upcoming panel on Women in Historic Preservation!
Mickey Herr is moderating our discussion on March 31st at 6 PM. See the comments below for a registration link!
The historic preservation movement in Philadelphia was originally a women's movement with female-led organizations working to save the city's colonial history. Mickey Herr introduces us to the Dames that made it happen
The first US school of pharmacy, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, was founded right here at Carpenters’ Hall on February 23rd in 1821 to establish the foundation for the future of pharmacy education. Two-hundred years later, on February 23, 2021, a small group of graduates from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy gathered at Carpenters’ Hall once again. This time it was to commemorate the college’s bicentennial and to highlight the tremendous accomplishments that have taken place in pharmacy, and advances in the practice of healthcare. They shared fellowship and recalled countless stories of how pharmacists are making a vital difference in community, hospital, pharmaceutical industry, and professional organization settings. All thanks to the foundation that took place at Carpenters’ Hall.
The first US school of pharmacy, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, was founded right here at Carpenters’ Hall on February 23rd in 1821 to establish the foundation for the future of pharmacy education. Two-hundred years later, on February 23, 2021, a small group of graduates from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy gathered at Carpenters’ Hall once again. This time it was to commemorate the college’s bicentennial and to highlight the tremendous accomplishments that have taken place in pharmacy, and advances in the practice of healthcare. They shared fellowship and recalled countless stories of how pharmacists are making a vital difference in community, hospital, pharmaceutical industry, and professional organization settings. All thanks to the foundation that took place at Carpenters’ Hall.
Carpenters' Hall is thrilled to participate in the World Travel & Tourism Council's safe travels program.
Due to changes in Philadelphia's COVID19 guidelines, we are now accepting 15 people in our site at a time (an increase from 10). Please note, however, that it is mandatory to wear a mask in the building.
Carpenters' Hall is thrilled to participate in the World Travel & Tourism Council's safe travels program.
Due to changes in Philadelphia's COVID19 guidelines, we are now accepting 15 people in our site at a time (an increase from 10). Please note, however, that it is mandatory to wear a mask in the building.
Today is International Women's Day! For the occassion, we would like to highlight this panel that we are hosting on March 31 via Zoom. We hope to have a lively and thoughtful discussion about women working in the field of historic preservation.
Click the link below to register!
Women's History Month concludes with a look at the preservation trailblazers of yesterday and a discussion with the leaders of today.
OTD: In 1770, British Regulars fired into a mob of American colonists in front of a Custom House in Boston. Five people were killed including a man named Crispus Attucks, who was Working Class Dock Worker of African and Native American descent.
This event widely became known as "The Boston Massacre" and was one of the contributing factors that led to the meeting of the First Continental Congress here at Carpenters' Hall in 1774.
Attucks became a symbol, not only of Revolutionary fervor and outrage, but for the Abolitionist cause. His image is often central to historical depictions of the shooting that occurred on March 5, 1770. This depiction is from the mid 19th century.
OTD: In 1770, British Regulars fired into a mob of American colonists in front of a Custom House in Boston. Five people were killed including a man named Crispus Attucks, who was Working Class Dock Worker of African and Native American descent.
This event widely became known as "The Boston Massacre" and was one of the contributing factors that led to the meeting of the First Continental Congress here at Carpenters' Hall in 1774.
Attucks became a symbol, not only of Revolutionary fervor and outrage, but for the Abolitionist cause. His image is often central to historical depictions of the shooting that occurred on March 5, 1770. This depiction is from the mid 19th century.
Due to a maintenance issue, Carpenter's Hall will be closed tomorrow, February 28.
Check out this article published about yesterday's program- "Inoculation Nation."
The program itself was a fascinating discussion that juxtaposed contemporary issues with historical events. There will be a recording available soon for those who are interested!
Philly’s Carpenters' Hall Presents Inoculation Nation - Smallpox in the 18th Century. Turning the pandemic into a good conversation
Carpenters' Hall was mentioned recently in this Daily Beast article as being a key site in Philadelphia's history of espionage. Check it out!
It turns out the City of Brotherly Love has a rich past of espionage perfect for the history buff.
Now is the time to make the case and speak up for museums! Carpenters' Hall is joining hundreds of advocates virtually February 22-23 for Museums Advocacy Day 2021. #MuseumsAdvocacy2021 bit.ly/AdvAnywhere
Now is the time to make the case and speak up for museums! Carpenters' Hall is joining hundreds of advocates virtually February 22-23 for Museums Advocacy Day 2021. #MuseumsAdvocacy2021 bit.ly/AdvAnywhere
Do to unsafe weather conditions, Carpenters' Hall will be closed again today, February 19th.
Due to the ongoing snowstorm, Carpenters' Hall is closed today, February 18th. Stay safe, everyone!
Our last post for President's Day!
This brass Telescope was loaned to the Navy during the First World War by Carpenters' Company Member, Thomas H. Marshall as part of the "Eyes for the Navy" program. The program was instituted to compensate for a shortage in spy glasses during the War.
After the war was over, the telescope was returned with a "Thank You" note from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was at that time Secretary of the Navy.
https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/22566
Our last post for President's Day!
This brass Telescope was loaned to the Navy during the First World War by Carpenters' Company Member, Thomas H. Marshall as part of the "Eyes for the Navy" program. The program was instituted to compensate for a shortage in spy glasses during the War.
After the war was over, the telescope was returned with a "Thank You" note from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was at that time Secretary of the Navy.
https://archive.carpentershall.org/items/show/22566
320 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA
19106
Open daily, except Mondays (and Tuesdays in January and February), from 10am-4pm Tours are self-guided, admission is free.
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