Welcome Park
A logical starting point for our tour is Welcome Park, an homage to the city's founder, William Penn. Located on the site of the Slate Roof House, Penn's rented home in Philadelphia, the park was named for the Welcome, the ship which brought Penn to America. A timeline on a wall at the site enumerates Penn's accomplishments interspersed with the historic events that were happening during Penn's lifetime.
In 1682, Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme laid out the city of Philadelphia. Their map is depicted in marble on the ground as part of the park's design. In the middle of the park is a miniature version of the statue of William Penn which crowns City Hall.
A historical marker here also celebrates the accomplishements of Penn's wife, Hannah Callowhill Penn, noting that she served as Pennslyvania's acting proprietor from 1712 until 1726, the only woman to control a British proprietary colony for so long.
Immediately SW of Welcome Park is the next stop on the tour, City Tavern
Independence Hall Area
- Welcome to the Independence Hall Area
- Welcome Park
- City Tavern
- Merchant's Exchange
- First Bank of the United States
- Old Visitor Center
- Bishop White House
- Walnut Street Garden and Houses
- The Philadelphia Contributionship
- Todd House (Dolley Madison)
- Carpenters' Hall
- New Hall (Military Museum)
- Pemberton House
- Franklin Court
- Second Bank
- Library Hall
- Philosophical Hall
- Independence Square
- Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Old City Hall
- Atwater Kent Museum
- Graff House
- President's House
- Liberty Bell
