The Fourth of July, as Celebrated in Philadelphia History

As the city where the Declaration of Independence was written and signed, Philadelphia has a history of celebrating the Fourth of July in a way that only the Cradle of Liberty can.

The Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel University is the repository of centuries’ worth of artifacts related to Philadelphia history, society and culture, as originally collected by the former Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent. And with so many Independence Days celebrated over the years in this city, that means that there are so many treasures in the Atwater Kent related to the national holiday.

Here are some of those artifacts from some of those long-ago July Fourths:

Source: Museum Purchase (AKM) / Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel. Photo credit: Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.

July 4, 1874

This admissions ticket was created exactly 150 years ago to admit entry to the City of Philadelphia’s event on July 4, 1874 for the laying of the cornerstone of the new public buildings on Penn Square, which would later include City Hall.

Source: Gift of Herbert Kaufman / Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel. Photo credit: Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.

July 4, 1893

As noted on this colored postcard, this photograph of Philadelphia and the Schuylkill River, including the Route 1 bridge in the lower left, was taken from a balloon one mile high. The original photograph was taken by William Jennings on July 4, 1893, and this postcard was still in use after the turn of the 20^th century.

Source: Atwater Kent Museum. Photo credit: Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.

1926: America’s Sesquicentennial

1926 marked the sesquicentennial — 150^th year — of America, and the City of Philadelphia celebrated with a Sesquicentennial International Exposition held from June to December. This color print was a souvenir of the special event and depicts a patriotically dressed Lady Liberty holding onto an American Flag in front of the Liberty Bell and bell and clock tower of Independence Hall.

Source: Gift of Mary Calwell / Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel. Photo credit: Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.

1942

This 1942 commemorative plate features a hand-painted scene of Independence Hall, where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and ratified. The donor's mother commissioned the artist to paint four sets of Philadelphia-themed plates using family China for each of her four children. Other commemorative plates depicted Elfreth’s Alley, Old Swede’s Church, Christ Church, the Betsy Ross House and the interior of Independence Hall with the Liberty Bell.

Source: Gift of David Keper / Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel. Photo credit: Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.

July 4, 1962

U.S. President John F. Kennedy is shown in this photograph while giving a speech during the Fourth of July ceremonies outside of Independence Hall on July 4, 1962. He flew via helicopter specifically for the celebration from Camp David, landing near Independence Hall. 

Source: Gift of Neil Benson / Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel. Photo credit: Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.

July 4, 1976: America’s Bicentennial

The bicentennial — 200^th year — of America’s independence was a huge occasion, so of course the city of Philadelphia celebrated the anniversary all year long. The female singers in this photograph dressed in colonial-era costumes (minus the microphone headsets) to sing at a Bicentennial celebration at Independence Hall on July 4, 1976.  

Source: Gift of the Republican National Committee / Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel. Photo credit: Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.

2000

The Republican National Convention was held in Philadelphia in July and August of 2000, and this spring/summer 2000 “Official Visitor's Guide” celebrated the city’s historic roots with its minimalist cover highlighting the Liberty Bell.