It’s been 250 years since the American Revolution began around the fields of Lexington and Concord during a clash between American Militia and King George III’s British regulars—with a shot heard not only around America’s colonies — but also around the globe. No doubt how King George III would handle his restless colonists would be a point of interest for many other established nations around the world. But other nations were also interested in the New World from an trade perspective , just as it is today amid a tariff war.
It would take several days for the violence of Concord and Lexington to reach the ears of people around Philadelphia in 1775. By the time that it did — America’s soon to be capital city was already playing an important role in the pursuit of our independence.
Carpenters’ Hall was the site of the first Continental Congress that had been held in 1774. The Carpenters’ Company of Philadelphia was founded in 50 years before in 1724 — and the building was first utilized after the finalization of its construction in 1771. Utilized as an infirmary during the early parts of the American Revolution , Carpenters’ Hall was captured in 1777 by the British with the rest of the city.
Carpenters’ Hall recovered from a Christmas Eve 2022 fire with just some 20 months to prepare for the 250th celebration. This April , the National Park Service will be placing two trees in the ground around Carpenters’ Hall, which are descended from ones that grew at the time of Benjamin Franklin.
Colonial period cannons are a popular subject of treasure hunters in America. The Twin Sisters cannons were manufactured in Cincinnati and graciously provided to Sam Houston’s Texas Army in 1836 to shell Santa Anna’s troops and help Texas win its independence. In 1996 when famous, feared pirate Blackbeard’s vessel, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was located off of the coast of North Carolina , her algae covered guns from the early 18th century were brought up among other relics. The very scene of one of Philadelphia’s few spots of resistance during that British invasion in 1777 — Fort Mifflin still showcases Revolutionary War cannons to this day.
During the spring and summer months, the Museum of the American Revolution will be visited by thousands of tourists to Philadelphia. Out front — some of the cannons utilized in Philadelphia during the American Revolution are proudly on display — some having survived not only the occupation of the city in 1777, but also the spiking of American cannons by the British.
Whether history is highlighting the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress, or the valiant defense of Fort Mifflin , Philadelphia is as important of a remembrance of the American Revolution today as it was in 1775.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt is member of the York Road Historical Society and lives and works in Abington Township.
