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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Heather Kincade
8/21/00
(215) 629-5801 x209
HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA, INC. EXTENDS PROGRAMMING INTO FALL;
18TH CENTURY COMES TO LIFE WEEKENDS THROUGH OCTOBER
Philadelphia, PA --- For the first time ever, Philadelphia’s autumn visitors will be able to meet and mingle with 18th century Philadelphians and witness first hand some of the landmark events that shaped our nation. The historic district will be alive with colonial-style entertainment on weekends this fall, Historic Philadelphia, Inc. announced today
HPI, the non-profit organization responsible for marketing, promoting and providing programming for Philadelphia’s historic district, will extend many of its popular summer programs, including the Town Crier Summer Theatre, to Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.
"The fall is a very busy time in the historic district. Just because summer is over doesn’t mean our visitors go away," said Andi Coyle, HPI’s executive director. "This is the first step to offering year-round programming in Philadelphia’s historic district, which has long been our goal."
Weekend visitors will be able to experience the centerpiece of HPI’s programming, the "American Story," at locations throughout Independence National Historical Park. Through song, dramatic performance, interactive debate and participatory programs, the "American Story" takes visitors on a journey from the turbulent pre-Revolutionary War era, to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to the ratification of the Constitution.
The Courtyard Stage at the Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, will play host to performances highlighting life and culture in 18th century Philadelphia. HPI’s Heroes of History program brings famous figures from the history books to life at Carpenter’s Hall on Saturday afternoons.
Throughout the historic district, the Town Criers, HPI’s troupe of 18th century costumed interpreters will be meeting and mingling with visitors, telling their stories of everyday life in colonial Philadelphia.
A complete schedule of Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s fall programming is attached.
Historic Philadelphia, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by then-Mayor Ed Rendell. HPI works closely with historic district stakeholders, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation to build Philadelphia’s tourism industry into an engine for economic growth.
For more information about HPI or any of its programs, call (215) 629-5801 or visit us on the Internet at http://historic.philly.com.
FALL 2000 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
The following is the complete programming schedule for September 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30; and October 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29.
10:30 a.m. Troubling Taxes … Step back in time to debate with the colonists on taxes and other important issues of the day at the First Bank Greene.
11:00 a.m. I’m an American … Inside scoop on the goings-on at the First Continental Congress at Carpenters’ Hall.
11:30 a.m. Songs of Unrest … authentic colonial music performed at Second Bank.
11:30 a.m. Circa 1780 … Lighthearted tale highlighting the differences between life in the 18th and 21st centuries performed at the Betsy Ross House.
12:00 p.m. Songs of War … authentic colonial music performed at Carpenters’ Hall.
12:00 p.m. Colonial Q & A … Interactive "game show" that highlights the contributions African-Americans made to colonial society, performed at the Betsy Ross House.
12:30 p.m. Independence … Tory or Patriot? You decide as we debate the declaration in the Signer’s Garden.
1:00 p.m. Meet a Hero of History at Carpenters’ Hall (until 3 p.m. Saturdays only)
2:00 p.m. Songs of War … authentic colonial music performed in the Signer’s Garden.
2:00 p.m. Vita Brevis: A Day in the Life of Benjamin Rush … a look at the daily routine of a colonial doctor and Declaration signer, performed at the Betsy Ross House.
2:30 p.m. Songs of Life … authentic colonial music performed in the Signer’s Garden.
2:30 p.m. Circa 1780 performed at the Betsy Ross House.
3:00 p.m. Articles in Question … Growing pains of a new nation at the First Bank Greene.
3:30 p.m. We the People … Compromises that led to the ratification of the Constitution at the Signer’s Garden
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