Philadelphia - Independence Hall

This was probably the most essential part of our visit, not just to the park but to Philadelphia itself. As the signing place of both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, and where they were debated. This location is essentially where the United States was founded.

It was impossible not to know that the principles described in those documents have not been fully adhered to, and that's something I think about a lot. It is still an amazing thing to think about. For me, a lot of it came down to the chair.

I had read the quote at least twice before, that Benjamin Franklin toward the end of the convention, commented on the chair:

"I have often ... in the course of the session ... looked at that sun behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now at length I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting sun."

I suddenly remembered the story, and I looked, and yes, there was the sun. This was the chair. Shortly after that the ranger mentioned in and confirmed that it was the chair. Maybe it's dumb, but that was a a moment that seemed wonderful to me.

That's not to take away from the rest of the tour. All of the park staff were wonderful, and especially our tour guide. They take you through multiple buildings explaining how they were used and what are still the original items. They do a great job, and there is a lot to see and look at, but for me it really came down to the chair.

http://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm