-
-
Subscribe
So this week I’m catching up on some of the day trips we took this spring that I never got around to blogging about. Today I want to share an example of one of my favorite kinds of moments when I’m traveling with the kids: those that happen unexpectedly, when we are filling up time between planned activities and wander up an alley or through an open door simply because it’s there. Moments like these can make a well-planned day trip even more fun.
The most recent time this happened was on a jaunt into Old City Philadelphia at the end of March. We had finished lunch at the Triumph Brewing Company, which is my ideal type of lunch-with-kids place because it serves both burgers and more sophisticated food, all of it delicious. It also has stylish decor that’s cool to look at without being fragile and a friendly staff who don’t mind spills (I can attest to that fact). Next on our agenda was A Year With Frog and Toad the musical version of the famous Arnold Lobel books at the Arden Theatre. (This musical is fantastic – if you haven’t ever listened to the original cast recording, I recommend it highly – it’s in regular rotation at our house and has been for years).
But first we had about half an hour to kill. The boys were both tired and a bit at odds and ends, making me unwilling to walk any distance with them as fatigue made them uncontrolled and they were both apt to veer off the sidewalk into the street. We had paused to let them tear around the somewhat muddy lawn that borders Christ Church, which dates from the late 17th century and was the first Anglican church in America. At first neither wanted to go inside, having just spent the morning attending a service our (similarly old) church in Delaware. But then Tommy changed his mind and so we wandered in, idly looking at the box pews and the clear glass windows.
Then one of the church’s curators began a talk for a group of high school students from Missouri who had come in on a a tour. He was so direct and compelling, showing us the pews where George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Betsy Ross sat (hers had an obstructed view of the pulpit) that Tommy wanted to stay and listen. The curator shared that a group of Iraqi governors from Anbar Province had been to the church that morning because they wanted to worship in a church that had been part of American history. The church staff had rung the bells for them, explaining that the very same bells had pealed when the Declaration of Independence was read in Philadelphia over two centuries ago.
Tommy had just finished a unit about Lewis and Clark at school during the course of which he made his own expedition journal, with edges he had carefully frayed by hand to give the appearance of age. His mouth hung open as the curator explained that at the time they left on their expedition, the steeple of this very church was the tallest building in America. He also pointed out that some of the trees standing in the churchyard had been donated by the expedition when they returned and that both Lewis and Clark had attended services.
The talk ended with a gesture to the walnut baptismal font at the back of the church where William Penn himself was baptized in England before he became a Quaker and where, he added, there would likely be a dozen baptisms on Easter weekend. “This is history,” he said. “It’s never stopped happening here and you are sitting in the middle of it.”
While Tommy and I did this, Teddy amused himself by tracing (and naming) the letters on the tombstones in the churchyard. It couldn’t have been better if I had drawn an agenda and hired a tour guide.
And then it was on to the musical next door, which was much enjoyed by all. We even got to meet some of the cast at the end – below you’ll see Teddy showing Frog, well, his Frog. It was so exciting that no one feel asleep in the car on the way home.
A few tips about visiting Christ Church and the Aden Theatre (which are next to each other):
- The church is free to visit, although they do ask for a donation. You can also attend services there on Sunday mornings.
- Talks like the one I describe above are given regularly throughout the day. The one we heard was simple enough for my seven-year-old to understand, especially since he hada good working knowledge of the history of the American Revolution.
- Five signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried in the churchyard.
- The Arden Theatre is an intimate space that’s perfect for young children – and they have a fantastic children’s series. They also have a drama school and summer camps for kids of all ages.
- There’s a parking lot right across from the theatre, but it tends to fill up during performances.
- If you are craving ice cream while in the area, don’t miss the Franklin Fountain, a genuine old-fashioned soda fountain where you can still order a phosphate and where the hot fudge is homemade. It’s just a few blocks up the street.
Comments
4 Responses to “Christ Church Philadelphia: A quick trip back in history”
Got something to say?
I also hang out at
Connect with Mara
And look! They liked me
Sounds like a magical day. I will have to check out that soundtrack; I’m a huge musical theatre fan and hope my children share that love. Hard to tell so far, though my nine-year-old did, of his own accord, watch YouTube clips of West Side Story for an hour a few weeks ago.
Oh, and I looove your coat.
Meagan Francis’s last blog post..change what you can
What a fun day trip! Sometimes the unscripted trip has the best lasting memory. My husband’s family is in the Philly area so we have to remember to check the church out next time we are in town.
Amy @ The Q Family’s last blog post..Outdoor Adventures Around Atlanta
I love this article. Partly because I loved all those things you describe (and the Constitution Hall that grandma and grandpa took Tommy to is fabulous). And partly because traveling with kids can always bring a surprise.
[...] Christ Church Philadelphia at The Mother of All Trips. [...]