Amy Needle, President and a founder of Historic Philadelphia, Inc. discussed the summer and fall activities planned for their 30th Anniversary year. Historic Philadelphia, the brainchild of former Mayor Ed Rendell, was founded to package and promote the tourism impact of the many historic sites and the pivatol events that happened here. Today it oversees the Betsy Ross House, the home of Betsy, her many husbands and children and her upholstery business, and the redeveloped and revitalized Franklin Square, one of William Penn’s original green spaces. It also offers live interactive presentations by costumed reenactors throughout the historic district. We touched on the plans for this year, and ongoing partnerships with other district museums and sites in anticipation of 2026 celebrations.
Once Upon A Nation, now in its 20th year, will again offer its famous Storytelling Benches in Old City and Valley Forge, with new free programs for kids, ‘Colonial Kids’ Quest’ and ‘Meet the History Makers’ plus a daily ‘Colonial Muster.’ Beginning this fall ‘Building Independence’ will launch at Carpenters’ Hall.
Franklin Square, celebrates its 18th Birthday with free workshops and kid’s storytime and the daily fountain shows in the Rendell Family Fountain. The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, their major fundraiser, returns June 20 through August 18 with cultural offerings and vendors. Fall and Winter fun begins in November with Street Curling and the free Electrical Spectacle Light Show
At the Betsy Ross House they will celebrate Flag Day with Flag Fest 2024, June 9-15 with a flag raising with Betsy Ross. For the 4th of July they will host a Children’s Naturalization Ceremony on July 2. Ongoing programming includes ‘Meet the Women of the 18th Century.’
For a complete schedule of events and tickets to the Chinese Lantern Festival go to historicphiladelphia.org.