https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-01-29 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/a-silver-lining-in-philadelphia monthly 0.5 2026-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e476feb7-5fad-4c0c-9e67-6bac058596b5/IMG_8837.jpg Blog - A Silver Lining in Philadelphia? - Make it stand out This is what visitors to the President’s House now see in Philadelphia. It’s a stark reminder of what the administration does not want people to see and understand. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5aec2f3e-f5bf-4aba-817e-456909b0a961/IMG_8836.jpg Blog - A Silver Lining in Philadelphia? - Make it stand out These hand-written signs were quickly pulled down. But more will go up. Philadelphians are fighting back … and will continue to. It’s part of our nature and our national ancestry. Americans didn’t like tyrants then and don’t now. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/godeys-ladys-book monthly 0.5 2025-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0f51510a-fa2b-41b8-a191-062782b1a45a/Fashion+Plate_001+MPL.jpg Blog - Godey’s Lady’s Book - Make it stand out 150 women applied water colors to produce these beautiful fashion plates for Godey’s Lady’s Book. From the collection of the Milwaukee Public Library, Richard E and Lucile Krug Rare Books Room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/cca0e3fc-f9d9-4ca6-be97-820726904f64/Fashion+Plate_002.jpg Blog - Godey’s Lady’s Book - Make it stand out When the women painters ran out of one color, they used another. So different subscribers could receive different-looking plates and compare the looks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/aee32582-8a73-4038-9b56-216a806d93cf/Sarah_Hale_portrait+copy.jpg Blog - Godey’s Lady’s Book - Make it stand out Sara Josepha Hale. (1788–1879); Source: Richard’s Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire. http://www.newport.lib.nh.us/. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/a-tip-for-tour-guides monthly 0.5 2025-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/61b241c0-1b90-4119-8189-2113eb1f2d8d/Gilbert_Stuart%2C_George_Washington_%28Lansdowne_portrait%2C_1796%29+%281%29+copy.jpg Blog - A Tip for Tour Guides - Make it stand out Official painting of George Washington, first United States president, by Gilbert Stuart (1796). http://npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2001.13, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33579 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/its-time-to-honor-philly-naval-hero-captain-gustavus-conyngham monthly 0.5 2025-11-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/79d28898-6046-4439-9ab3-88bf1d0c2029/Gustavus_Conyngham.jpg Blog - It’s time to honor Philly naval hero Captain Gustavus Conyngham - Make it stand out Captain Conyngham may not look like a tough guy. But he was. Captain Conyngham scared “the bejesus” out of the English people and was known by them as “The Pirate of Dunkirk.” Photo: Captain Gustavus Conyngham, Continental Navy. Eighteenth Century print, after a miniature portrait by Louis Marie Sicardi, reproduced in “Letters and Papers relating to the Cruises of Gustavus Conyngham,” edited by Robert Wilden Neeser, 1915, and credited to the collections of James Barnes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/72a39563-7653-4ba9-aee5-7eab64a76570/IMG_0782.jpeg Blog - It’s time to honor Philly naval hero Captain Gustavus Conyngham - Make it stand out Conyngham’s table-tomb grave is at St. Peter’s Churchyard, 313 Pine Street, Philadelphia —the south wall, center — near a stairway to St. Peter’s School. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/my-aha-moment-part-3-last monthly 0.5 2025-09-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d0289a3a-d1d8-4b72-8407-8c8eafcd3ec2/All+roads+lead+to+Philly.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment: Part 3 (+ Last) - Make it stand out Started 58 years after New York and 52 years after Boston, Philadelphia quickly grew to become the largest city in the U.S. by 1770 … or earlier. It’s still the 2nd largest city on the East Coast. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0f1d1cb2-e2b4-4d17-a5bf-648d071fc7cd/Yo.jpeg Blog - My “Aha” Moment: Part 3 (+ Last) - Make it stand out Philly started the revolutionary Percent for Art Program in 1959, the first one in the U.S. This colorful sculpture by Deborah Kass carries a double message: The familiar Philly or New York YO greeting is on one side, the Jewish OY or expression of exasperation or dismay on the other. It’s in front of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/25e5330e-fd61-4e15-9c89-d33d51ef7967/DuBois+Mural.JPG Blog - My “Aha” Moment: Part 3 (+ Last) - Make it stand out This colorful mural called “Mapping Courage” is on South Street near 6th Street. It shows famous researcher W.E.B. DuBois, community members and area firefighters. Copyright 2008, City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program/artist Willis “Nomo” Humphrey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/9e6b1735-c764-45f5-befe-c89bf3b948fb/Wood+Street+Steps+_R2.jpeg Blog - My “Aha” Moment: Part 3 (+ Last) - Make it stand out This is the last remaining stairway along Philadelphia’s old sea wall. The stairways were ordered by William Penn to give citizens easy public access to the waterfront. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/60729fc1-27ff-4b46-973a-67662abf4679/1*Jiwm4t5ymcT2R6fTYt4g5g.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment: Part 3 (+ Last) - Make it stand out This diorama from Arch Street Meetinghouse depicts an arched bridge on Front Street that eventually led to the street name being changed from Mulberry Street to Arch Street. The ladder on the right I believe symbolizes the William Penn steps that ran up the embankment. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/ac648a94-26f3-4f6e-801d-a51f29c8859a/1*93p2a1pB_kxAVbYzNFVxyQ.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment: Part 3 (+ Last) - Make it stand out The Weeping Willow is perfect choice to demonstrate how badly the U.S. treated Indian tribes in the U.S. © Copyright Christine Westerback and licensed for reuse under a cc-by-sa/2.0 Creative Commons Licence. Weeping Willow photo taken 13 years ago near Tottenham, Haringey, England. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/my-aha-moment-part-2 monthly 0.5 2025-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/32b025ec-7bdc-4a13-a192-5b669afbe916/1024px-Climax_Forest_%288635634669%29.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 2 - Make it stand out The land where William Penn laid out his city may have been farmland. But it was also a forest. Photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli. Old-growth hemlocks (with scattered hardwoods), Bald Eagle State Forest, Clinton County, on Riansares Mountain. https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholas_t/8635634669/ This file is licensed under the Creative CommonsAttribution 2.0 Generic license. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/af50f5f9-6059-4287-9566-3996b5793c83/Penn%27%27s+Landing+Sign.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 2 - Make it stand out Philly purchased the name Penn’s Landing from Chester, Pa. in 1970. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/771cf7bb-9b52-4445-a835-6c1eebf8b230/Liberty+Bell+Line+1.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 2 - Make it stand out People line up every day to visit the Liberty Bell. And the only reason the bell is here is because of William Penn … and the freedoms he gave to his colony with his Charter of Privileges. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/b90e5dbf-4dce-406d-b7e1-b8ceafd8c95e/Liberty+Bell+Window.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 2 - Make it stand out If you don’t want to wait in line and go through airport-like security, you can view the Liberty Bell from this window near Chestnut Street. To find it, just walk down the brick walkway on the east side of the Liberty Bell Center from Market Street almost all the way to Chestnut Street. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d5128018-2461-42aa-a79a-ebcf7ecbca41/Old+St.+Joe%27s.jpeg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 2 - Make it stand out In 1734, St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia reportedly became the only place in the British Empire where Mass could be said legally. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/my-aha-moment-part-1 monthly 0.5 2025-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/4cafdf59-5d71-483d-8788-40181eb86149/1*Ls5Ed_PYxWJWQ66zJgdjTw.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 1 - Make it stand out Members of the Greater Philadelphia Falun Dafa Association gather regularly in front of Independence Hall to protest Chinese Communist persecution against them. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/fb520933-0758-41c8-81cb-9c16857e84b7/The+South+East+Prospect+of+the+City+of+Philadelphia.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 1 - Make it stand out The South East Prospect of the City of Philadelphia is the oldest surviving oil painting of a North American City — and one of the most valuable. It was found in the rubbish of a London curiosity shop about 1857. Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia [https://librarycompany.org]. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5a950bcd-1b60-4f4a-867d-cae7924f0195/Flags+on+Parkway.jpg Blog - My “Aha” Moment – Part 1 - Make it stand out The result: 108 flags of countries with a “significant representation” in Philadelphia … plus Puerto Rico. Photo by Jim Murphy https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/the-man-behind-philly-phun-phacts monthly 0.5 2025-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e63349f5-5d1a-4d31-959a-d8c8fac40817/JW+photo+for+blog.jpeg Blog - The Man Behind Philly Phun Phacts - Make it stand out John Weber, creator of Philly Phun Phacts, also hosts the station’s Saturday “Weekend Edition.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1bb03a0d-9454-4fe3-ae0c-89764ab1a439/John+at+Desk.jpg Blog - The Man Behind Philly Phun Phacts - Make it stand out Here’s John in a more formal setting. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/philadelphias-lazaretto monthly 0.5 2025-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/3338997b-05bc-46fd-a656-d9ec27ffff5b/Lazaretto+cropped.jpg Blog - Philadelphia’s Lazaretto - Make it stand out The main building of the Philadelphia Lazaretto was designed to impress … inspire public confidence … and handle large numbers of people. It’s now used as the Administration Building for Tinicum Township, Delaware County. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/9b0cdbd0-9da2-4ad4-9438-544f2ecfde93/IMG_0368.jpeg Blog - Philadelphia’s Lazaretto - Make it stand out Today, Little Tinicum Island probably looks much like it did when the Lazaretto opened in 1801. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/still-revolutionary-part-2 monthly 0.5 2025-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6177c5e2-4a2f-4575-b7cc-d2934e632ea7/Growth+of+a+Metropollis+copy+2.jpeg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 2 - Make it stand out Eye-Fooling Art #1 (Trompe l’oeil): © Growth of a Metropolis, 2016 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Richard Haas. Location: 251 N. 3rd Street. Shows history of architecture in Philadelphia from 1682 to 2105, and includes some of the city’s most iconic buildings. I only knew one city tour guide who could easily identify all of them: Josh Silver. Unfortunately, he died last September. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f89dcf8b-c653-43bd-baac-77e6ee96f813/2019-037-Final-4.jpg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 2 - Make it stand out Eye-Catching Art: untitled © 2019 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Amy Sherald, 1108 Sansom Street. Photo by Steve Weinik. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5694c4be-4690-43da-bbc1-b8c22e68864c/Penn+%2B+Ben+mural+copy.jpeg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 2 - Make it stand out Eye-Fooling Art # 2 (Trompe l’oeil): © 2300 Chestnut Street, 1989 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Richard Haas. Commissioned by 2300 Chestnut Associates. Here you see William Penn and Ben Franklin, who missed each other by about 20 years, scullers on the Schuylkill, and a view of the old B&O Railroad Station. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/ending-the-curse-of-billy-penn monthly 0.5 2024-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/c1445649-b904-479a-b6d8-4b1f6caf055e/Billy+Penn+cropped.jpeg Blog - Ending the Curse of Billy Penn - Make it stand out In the distance at left is a statue of William or Billy Penn. He stands 547 feet high atop Philly’s City Hall near two buildings that rose above his hat … and started the curse of William Penn. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/c6962e44-9623-4341-8d15-2578f75827e5/WP+for+publication.jpeg Blog - Ending the Curse of Billy Penn - Make it stand out This small statue of Billy Penn is similar to the one placed near the top of the Comcast Building in 2007 and at the Comcast Technology Center in 2017 … when it became the tallest building in town. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/still-revolutionary-part-1 monthly 0.5 2024-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/54aecacd-19af-4d9b-bdb6-416f853e2ae4/Contrefuerte.jpg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 1 - Make it stand out I saw this unique public art just the other day at the 1200 block of Cuthbert Street. Called CONTRAFUERTE by Miquel Antonio Horn, it shows two groups of entangled bodies trying to raise up a bridge. It certainly caught my attention. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/808a3261-29d0-42c3-b64e-699974fb81cc/IMG_4788.jpeg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 1 - Make it stand out Clothespin by Claes Oldenburg is at Center Square Plaza, 15th and Market Street. The work was commissioned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority’s Percent for Art Program. Some see two people kissing, others a 76, denoting the year it was purchased for the Bicentennial. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/92c5788f-3ab9-4ab3-a743-900a65cc9918/IMG_6135.jpeg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 1 - Make it stand out The Eagle at Macy’s (originally at Wanamaker’s) was purchased by the store from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. It still is a popular meeting place. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6e496fcd-5448-4304-b2e6-e4e15266af81/IMG_6166.jpeg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 1 - Make it stand out Children love to rub the head and horns of Rittenhouse Square’s Billy Goat … maybe too much. They actually wore him down. The first Billy was sent out to pasture. This is Billy Goat 2. Photo by Jim Murphy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/3ad0eaf1-58d1-4091-a8c0-8eff20ca6052/Llipchitz1.jpeg Blog - Still Revolutionary – Part 1 - Make it stand out Jacques Lipchitz’s “Government of the People” still stands near the Municipal Services Building in Philadelphia. Former Mayor Frank Rizzo hated it. Later, his statue was placed close by. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/william-penn-janes-walk monthly 0.5 2024-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/31ee481d-8132-43c7-b20a-af2dadec71ee/Tamanend+.jpeg Blog - William Penn Jane’s Walk - Make it stand out The Tamanend statue by Raymond Sandoval is currently at Front and Market Street, Philadelphia. Tamanend was the sachem or leader of the Lenape tribe William Penn reportedly made a treaty with at Penn Treaty Park. Plans are to move the statue to Tamanend Plaza near 2nd and Market Street by 2026. Photo by my good friend, Gary Glen Price. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/signs-of-neglect monthly 0.5 2024-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/bc2f94b4-4e40-4336-a868-8eb58efc019d/Signers+Walk+3.jpg Blog - Signs of Neglect - Make it stand out Signers Walk on the 600 block of Philadelphia’s Chestnut Street is in sad shape. It’s a dismal way to mark the names of courageous Americans who put their lives on the line when they signed the Declaration of Independence. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/aa22d937-ceb9-454f-87b4-67b068471b59/Signers+Walk+5.jpg Blog - Signs of Neglect - Make it stand out “These plaques commemorate the 56 members of the Continental Congress who risked their lives, reputations and fortunes by signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and 1777.” This one looks good. Many are missing … and many are defaced. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8566243f-b551-4b65-a808-78f2779077fa/Ben+Franklin+Plaque.jpg Blog - Signs of Neglect - Make it stand out Ben Franklin has looked better. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/af190e2d-4ad6-4aad-bad5-6a932824a3f8/John+Hancock.jpg Blog - Signs of Neglect - Make it stand out John Hancock, noted for his big signature on the Declaration, doesn’t look too good either https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/sign-me-up monthly 0.5 2024-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8c902cc8-7715-4ba1-8d05-4dcda5e57e6d/JimLogue1.jpg Blog - Sign Me Up - Make it stand out Jim Logue didn’t take no for an answer. After the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission chose not to replace a missing Francis Daniel Pastorius historic marker at his address, he put up his own, with the original’s words. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/207186b0-6813-4c2c-b50f-9577e31ae6ab/IMG_7771.jpg Blog - Sign Me Up - Make it stand out This plaque copy is the same as on the original one created by Paul Philippe Cret in 1924. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tough-traveling monthly 0.5 2024-08-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1de7e658-175b-4a03-bd32-8b3285e50b9b/Looking+North+on+the+Delaware.jpg Blog - Tough Traveling - Make it stand out This peaceful view of Philadelphia looks up the Delaware River from a spot north of the city’s old Washington Avenue Immigration Station. Photo by Bob Fleischer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/38f7e8e9-faad-492e-b6aa-52dc8eaeaded/Land%2BBuoy%2B2014+2.jpg Blog - Tough Traveling - Make it stand out “Land Buoy “by sculptor Jody Pinto simulates a passenger’s view of the river as ships traveled up to the Washington Avenue Immigration Station. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/french-kiss-part-2 monthly 0.5 2024-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/53f37798-e314-4de2-b8b7-975bb4cdc563/Back+view+Carpenters%27+Hall.jpg Blog - French Kiss - Part 2 - Make it stand out Secret meeting place: Ben Franklin, John Jay, a translator and a French agent met on three different nights on the second floor of Carpenters’ Hall in Dec. 1775 to discuss French aid for the U.S. in its battle with England. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/76a86873-d1c8-4f8d-88d2-77e197dc5c5f/Union+League.jpg Blog - French Kiss - Part 2 - Make it stand out Even the beautiful Union League building on Broad Street has a mansard roof, which means it has touches of French Second Empire style or French Renaissance style. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f27b682d-a357-4089-b51a-09a83a9719c5/President%27s+House+3.jpg Blog - French Kiss - Part 2 - Make it stand out A mob wanted to drag President Washington out of the President’s House on Market Street, John Adams said in a letter to Thomas Jefferson. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/a295febb-ea08-4570-ac84-2dffdbe10785/People+%26+Ind.+Hall.jpg Blog - French Kiss - Part 2 - Make it stand out For years, the Pennsylvania Assembly wanted to destroy the old State House we now call Independence Hall, divide the square into building lots and sell them to finance a new capitol building in Harrisburg. Fortunately, Lafayette’s visit stirred memories of the Revolution and made people realize how important it was to our nation’s history. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d6e70df3-8281-4588-875a-30fe8d5d7b3e/IMG_2610.jpeg Blog - French Kiss - Part 2 - Make it stand out Beautiful Rittenhouse Square, designed by Paul Cret, is a central part of what city activist and writer Jane Jacobs called “the perfect neighborhood.” Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5107f4d4-74f8-4fcc-a198-aa9a04c574f0/Parc.jpg Blog - French Kiss - Part 2 - Make it stand out Parc, part of STARR Restaurants, has the joie de vivre of a Parisian cafe. Located across from Rittenhouse Square, it is enormously popular and serves a huge number of patrons. One woman recently said on Yelp that at Parc, she truly felt as if she were transported to Paris. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/french-kiss-part1-r93hd monthly 0.5 2024-05-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/91a51e4d-f115-4ae8-bf2e-028ac1626a57/City+Hall+in+Daytime.jpg Blog - French Kiss — Part 1 - Make it stand out Philadelphia’s City Hall, with its mansard roof, is a prime example of Second French Empire Style. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/68ca1d7b-c374-4c6e-807c-31a9be3734b7/Joanie1.jpg Blog - French Kiss — Part 1 - Make it stand out Joan of Arc, now near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is also the logo of The Philadelphian, a nearby high-rise condo. Originally installed in 1890 near the eastern entrance of the Girard Avenue Bridge, the sculpture was moved to its current location in 1948. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/00cc38ec-3f5f-4d9b-8d8e-1259e2128775/Bonaparte+Marker.jpg Blog - French Kiss — Part 1 - Make it stand out Many Philadelphians are unaware that Joseph Bonaparte, who called himself the Comte de Survilliers, lived at 260 S. 9th Street for a year or so before moving to an estate in Bordentown, NJ. He spent 23 more years there. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d5920eea-0070-4923-ac0a-efb6d4e4c2f6/The+Thinker.jpeg Blog - French Kiss — Part 1 - Make it stand out The Thinker by Auguste Rodin sits alongside Philly’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Photo by Jim Murphy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6444a7d6-8bc0-4c1e-82aa-17148d2ca00e/Free+Library.jpg Blog - French Kiss — Part 1 - Make it stand out Even many Philly residents don’t realize that the Free Library Building on the Parkway and the Philadelphia Family Court Building next door are similar to two “palatial buildings” in Paris. To compare them, check out this site: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fontaine-place-de-la-concorde-paris.jpg . Photo above by Jim Murphy https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/low-bridge monthly 0.5 2024-04-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/bc89348d-37fd-46bf-93b0-4df9e4b1beb7/IMG_Photo+3.jpg Blog - Low Bridge - Make it stand out There’s not much room for error at the Reading Railroad Bridge that crosses Spring Garden Street at 9th Street. And “Low Clearance” doesn’t give truck or bus drivers any specifics. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d48d9afa-00e2-45dc-8657-b626e8503e79/IMG_Photo+2.jpg Blog - Low Bridge - Make it stand out I had my hands full — directing the bus driver to back up through this busy intersection … while cars were trying to make right turns onto Spring Garden Street from 9th Street. Kudos to the driver, who handled the situation beautifully. Photo by Jim Murphy https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/a-great-escape-from-slavery monthly 0.5 2024-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/15ecd35f-0d9a-4a34-b4fe-c868710ec01b/Resurrection_of_Henry_Box_Brown.jpg Blog - A Great Escape From Slavery - Make it stand out Henry (Box) Brown pops out of his shipping crate at the Anti-Slavery Office in Philadelphia. He really did think outside the box. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. The resurrection of Henry Box Brown at Philadelphia, who escaped from Richmond Va. in a box 3 feet long 2 1/2 ft. deep and 2 ft wide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8b50bf91-a4cf-4ae8-9e47-f384bd93c714/1*DAQaBA3Z4mUoz83xzxxGyg.jpg Blog - A Great Escape From Slavery - Make it stand out Image from “Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/aab990ae-61cc-4a19-ac7d-00885b193dea/Henry_Box_Brown_%28cropped%29.jpg Blog - A Great Escape From Slavery - Make it stand out Frontispiece of the Narrative of Henry Box Brown Who Escaped From Slavery, Enclosed In A Box Three Feet Long, Two Wide and Two And A Half High. Written From A Statement of Facts Made By Himself With Remarks Upon The Remedy For Slavery By Charles Stearns. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/quick-switch monthly 0.5 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/c68d7806-c8ce-483d-af1c-744f25ac1746/IMG_7236.jpg Blog - Quick Switch - Make it stand out This statue of William Penn at Philly’s Welcome Park — and the Slate Roof House where he wrote his Charter of Privileges — were both slated for removal by a new National Park Service plan. Fortunately, outraged public opinion stopped the plan in its tracks. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/phillys-privy-passages monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f6a3899e-0f63-4bec-94d4-c4875a84ccd6/IMG_7048.jpg Blog - Philly’s Privy Passages - Make it stand out Before indoor plumbing came to Philadelphia, many of these middle doors hid “Privy Passages” or “Privy Alleys.” Photo by Jim Murphy, Author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/b876f543-b6f4-4b71-b8af-28fe8c28453e/IMG_7109.jpg Blog - Philly’s Privy Passages - Make it stand out This middle door may have provided access to “Honey Dippers,” so they could clean out a backyard privy pit. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/close-call monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1702fef3-11f7-461c-8ef3-863945121683/IMG_7363.jpg Blog - Close Call - Make it stand out The National Constitution Center was lucky no one was killed at its opening ceremonies, July 4, 2003. Recent Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/99405fd9-5c84-4c91-bfb8-e2f488421bec/Screenshot+2023-12-06+at+3.16.31%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Close Call - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/its-a-knockout monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e5d76f8a-d639-40db-8d9a-e90e33f466bc/Rocky+Statue.jpeg Blog - It’s a Knockout! - Make it stand out All day, every day, visitors flock to the “Rocky Statue” on the Ben Franklin Parkway near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/7bf78f8c-f86f-42df-a48c-d56cdd3e2563/Rocky%27s+footprints+.jpeg Blog - It’s a Knockout! - Make it stand out An imprint of Rocky’s sneakers sits atop the Art Museum steps where his statue used to be. People love to put their feet on the sneakers and raise their arms in triumph, like Rocky did. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/rocky-vs-barry monthly 0.5 2024-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/9bf06b96-ae49-4f80-8831-f21a02f6f31b/Barry+statue+surrounded+by+kids1A.jpg Blog - Rocky vs. Barry - Make it stand out Almost every time I walk through the south side of Independence Square, John Barry is the center of attention. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/40a2ac31-62bd-47a8-bc96-b7081f77415c/54-1+BarryCoverPhoto+Idea+copy+2.jpeg Blog - Rocky vs. Barry - Make it stand out Great minds think alike. I hoped to put this cover photo on my book, “Real Philly History, Real Fast,” published by Temple University Press. Good thing the publisher chose a series of photos instead. Another author used almost this identical cover photo on her book about a month before mine was published in June 2021. Barry is a popular fellow. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/billy-penn-janes-walk monthly 0.5 2023-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/bc07d00b-8126-4840-9324-961396e08b02/Tamanend+Facebook+photo.jpeg Blog - Billy Penn Jane’s Walk in Philly - Make it stand out Tamanend statue by Raymond Sandoval is at Front and Market Street, Philadelphia. Tamanend is the sachem or leader of the Lenni Lenape tribe William Penn reportedly made a treaty with at Penn Treaty Park. Photo by Gary Glen Price. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/flemish-bond monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/3f678bc7-2189-4068-9eac-68621a05632f/Morris+Hotel+Flemish+Bond2.jpg Blog - Flemish Bond - Make it stand out Built in 1787, the Morris House Hotel at 225 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia, proudly displays its Flemish Bond brickwork. The hotel is a National Historic Landmark. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/33b85d1b-c6b4-40c2-8d34-b188edb454ae/Graff+House.jpg Blog - Flemish Bond - Make it stand out The Graff House, where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, also has Flemish Bond brickwork. It was reconstructed by the city in 1975. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/the-signer monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/996430e0-e69d-499d-ba39-ade7a213e3bf/The+Signer.jpg Blog - “The Signer” - Make it stand out “The Signer”– represented by Philly merchant George Clymer – looks toward the heavens while holding a founding document of the U.S. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/the-poe-house-in-philly monthly 0.5 2024-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0580b774-fd63-4822-bb2d-3cb7ab11d5aa/IMG_6963.jpg Blog - The Poe House in Philly - Make it stand out You’ll see this sunny watercolor of Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia sitting on the porch of the house at the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia. Illustration by Steven Patricia. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d7ae3d87-9a22-40a5-b078-5b132835185d/Edgar_Allan_Poe_2.jpg Blog - The Poe House in Philly - Make it stand out Daguerrotype of Edgar Allan Poe. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Taken by W.S. Hartshorn, Providence, RI, November 9, 1848. Photograph taken in 1904 by C.T. Tatman. Note: The Library of Congress image is from a copy of a copy; the original has been missing since 1860; see Michael J. Deas, The Portraits and Photographs of Edgar Allan Poe, University Press of Virginia, 1988, p. 40. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/3108f968-aaa2-4a2c-be2f-08de8fab0d3c/RavenStatue-Philadelphia.JPG Blog - The Poe House in Philly - Make it stand out This statue of an aggressive raven perches outside the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia, Pa. (USA). Photographer: Midnightdreary. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/ypqll1ed6d2ehilzh8ourdb704ncd6 monthly 0.5 2024-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6a1541e1-6400-4529-91c1-3df01e161a20/cobblestone+street.jpg Blog - Road Work - Make it stand out These are rounded stones, probably from a riverbed. So they’re cobblestones. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/676568a3-8d2d-4d19-a2d0-4c7f6e87c571/Cobblestones.JPG Blog - Road Work - Make it stand out As you can see, these cobblestones are definitely rounded, no matter what the New York Times now says. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8bd07173-6b12-4fe9-9991-5856b5c14f2a/Belgian+Block.JPG Blog - Road Work - Make it stand out This Belgian Block, usually rectangular and probably granite, is used on 5th Street between Walnut and Chestnut Streets. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/a38cea7e-a1a3-42d6-ab5b-ad01b8308a64/2+road+surfaces.JPG Blog - Road Work - Make it stand out Here are both surfaces in one photo. At the top is Belgium Block. Closest to you at the bottom are cobblestones. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/new-world-flags-brighten-phillys-ben-franklinnbspparkway monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/4256faa2-e9b4-4170-a20d-088409ec9010/Flag+Photo+to+use.jpg Blog - New World Flags Brighten Philly’s Ben Franklin Parkway - Make it stand out Colorful flags on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway represent 108 countries with significant populations in the city … plus Puerto Rico. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/jeanette-woehr-history-is-in-her-blood monthly 0.5 2023-04-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8e622d55-ca62-4b4a-ac54-2a3d2e218f05/20081002113611.jpg Blog - Jeanette Woehr: History is in Her Blood - Make it stand out This intricate carving, designed by an ancestor of Jeanette Woehr's, is at the 40-foot mark inside the Washington Monument. Photo courtesy of National Park Service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0fbdcc12-5c8c-4b61-ac2a-88fd30f0b0b7/Screen-Shot-2019-10-14-at-2.01.30-PM-1-2.png Blog - Jeanette Woehr: History is in Her Blood - Make it stand out Gloria Dei Church historian and archivist, Jeanette Woehr, has ancestors with direct links to several important monuments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f12135c8-f492-4774-a0c6-b836522c2573/IMG_0145.jpeg Blog - Jeanette Woehr: History is in Her Blood - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/cac133a6-c831-4d64-ae28-d3ee56aa5490/Photo437181o.jpg Blog - Jeanette Woehr: History is in Her Blood - Make it stand out Stephen Cartledge designed this Civil War Memorial in Muncy, Pa. Photo by William Fischer, Jr., June 22, 2018. Courtesy of HMdb.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/712112dc-2204-4a38-8908-176105c6b440/IMG_0156.jpg Blog - Jeanette Woehr: History is in Her Blood - Make it stand out Photo of Cyrus Carver Cartledge and his wife Emma Wallens Cartledge. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/robert-smiths-secret-work monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/9a47dd98-1ca2-4d8d-bb89-e3fc31636f86/Robt.+Smith+2.JPG Blog - Robert Smith’s Secret Work - Make it stand out Would Robert Smith be better known for his many accomplishments if he had a less-common surname. I think so. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1f44c2d3-7931-4c16-a159-6746b18a4245/18-Robert+Smith%27s+St.+Peter%27s+Church.JPG Blog - Robert Smith’s Secret Work - Make it stand out In 1758, Robert Smith designed and built St. Peter’s Church, now a National Historic Landmark. The tower and wooden spire were added by architect William Strickland in 1842. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/a708ae1f-4793-4c0d-bfff-30fa50fd7cb0/Chevaux-de-frise.gif Blog - Robert Smith’s Secret Work - Make it stand out Some 65 chevaux-de-frise like this in the Delaware River held up 250 British ships from supplying their troops in Philadelphia for about six weeks. Image courtesy of Ringwood Manor, Ringwood State Park, Ringwood, NJ. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/presidents-house monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/ee000faf-d3b2-40a2-938a-3d336bce1dbc/People+at+President%27s+House.JPG Blog - George Washington’s Big Surprise - Make it stand out The President’s House, 6th and Market Street, is a popular tourist spot in Philadelphia. Most people don’t know nine enslaved people lived here, and one escaped. The site is just across the street from the Independence Visitor Center. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/973af688-3bbb-4d84-82c9-02fdf38fad96/Footsteps+at+President%27s+House.JPG Blog - George Washington’s Big Surprise - Make it stand out These footsteps symbolize the escape of Ona or Oney Judge from George Washington while he lived in the President’s House. Nine enslaved people lived here, a fact few people knew until Black Activists protested at this site. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/c0663779-8026-41de-a508-192212145812/LibertyBellSign.jpg Blog - George Washington’s Big Surprise - Make it stand out This large sign now greets visitors to the Liberty Bell Pavilion. It reminds us that “liberty was not originally intended for all.” And that “One of two smokehouse rooms in which three enslaved men slept — Giles, Paris, and Austin–once stood in this area.” Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/medical-mansion monthly 0.5 2023-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/524b6602-cb7d-4b71-b162-1a3c9bad14c5/Andrew_Hamilton_Bush_Hill_Drawing.jpg Blog - Medical Mansion - Make it stand out Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33823936. The drawing, by James Peller Malcolm (1767–1815), shows the country seat of Andrew Hamilton, Esq. Bush Hill was located on lands between Coates Street (now Fairmount Avenue) and Vine Street and between 19th Street and 12th Street in present-day Philadelphia. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/the-hamilton-no-one-remembers monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/7c701f1e-9695-4a07-9fcc-78b60b6474bf/IMG_5374.jpeg Blog - The Hamilton No One Remembers - Make it stand out Once known as the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall was built at Philadelphia’s 5th and Chestnut Street mainly through the efforts of a lesser-known Hamilton, this one named Andrew. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/7548aa23-8dbb-44ea-b52c-cc1e5e916093/Andrew+Hamilton.jpg Blog - The Hamilton No One Remembers - Make it stand out Andrew Hamilton, public domain photo, 1808. West Philadelphia Collaborative History. Credit: The Philadelphia History Museum of the Atwater Kent. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/a-revolutionary-idea monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/ce88c5d2-01b5-475e-81c2-0d44cb5ae130/Joanie+on+Pony.jpeg Blog - A Revolutionary Idea - Make it stand out Joanie on a Pony by Emmanuel Frémiet was originally placed near the Girard Avenue Bridge in 1890. The shimmering sculpture was moved near the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1948. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/81222e8d-d7d2-4c78-8f72-412b69e478c2/IMG_6135.jpeg Blog - A Revolutionary Idea - Make it stand out For years, Philadelphians have said, “Meet me at the Eagle” at Wananaker’s — now Macy’s, at 13th and Market Street. The Eagle was Germany’s contribution to the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 and It took workmen five months to hand-assemble this piece. John Wanamaker purchased the 2,500-pound work and Philadelphians flocked to it. They still do. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/59420573-f373-4ba9-8ddb-f90d4092b8ba/IMG_6162.jpeg Blog - A Revolutionary Idea - Make it stand out People love the popular Billy Goat at Rittenhouse Square. This is the second version. The original has been put out to pasture. Photo by Jim Murphy https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/john-adams-master-manipulator monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/38c5c1b8-9581-46dc-a3da-d904a2f1e167/36-Carpenters%27+Hall2.JPG Blog - John Adams, Master Manipulator - Make it stand out Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia, where the First Continental Congress met in 1774. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6ee1c91c-e01e-4d25-83a6-7d345924c55d/John_Adams_-_by_Charles_Willson_Peale.jpg Blog - John Adams, Master Manipulator - Make it stand out Portrait of John Adams by Charles Willson Peale. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Wikimedia). Credit: Independence National Historical Park. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/it-happened-here-in-1797 monthly 0.5 2024-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/22d4365d-61d5-461a-88f4-746a7dad3b73/Congress+Hall.JPG Blog - It Happened Here in 1797! - Make it stand out George Washington handed over the presidency to John Adams in this building on March 4, 1797 in Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/the-mysterious-story-of-phillys-dream-garden-tiffany-mosaic monthly 0.5 2022-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d065ae79-10b7-4fde-a55d-4ce54eb1b490/2022-08-12+Philadelphia+Dream+Garden.jpg Blog - The Mysterious Story of Philly’s “Dream Garden” Tiffany Mosaic - Make it stand out Photo of “The Dream Garden” Tiffany Mosaic by my good friend Gary Glen Price https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/16ab98c6-7bd9-4ee0-b163-f484841d2455/Entrance+Dream+Garden.JPG Blog - The Mysterious Story of Philly’s “Dream Garden” Tiffany Mosaic - Make it stand out The entrance to “The Dream Garden” Tiffany Mosaic is on 6th Street just above Walnut St. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/unexpected-sightings monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6c90a878-5178-4b7e-99c7-0bb2b056fa6f/Philly+Seal+Cianfrani+Park.JPG Blog - Unexpected Sightings - Make it stand out I was amazed to see this marvelous Philadelphia Seal while walking in South Philly. Cianfrani Park is one of Philly’s continual surprises, providing greenery and comfort in the middle of the city. Billy Penn would be proud. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/dd6c7c32-d846-4e1e-99f4-82d36a9b4afc/Seal_of_Philadelphia%2C_Pennsylvania.svg.png Blog - Unexpected Sightings - Make it stand out This artwork of the Philadelphia Seal comes from Wikimedia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/95d55e39-16f1-4259-a80e-b85bdad07273/Philly+Seal.jpeg Blog - Unexpected Sightings - Make it stand out This Philly seal is on the south side of the Ben Franklin Bridge. I noticed it while walking on Race Street. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/double-feature monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/c1c7ead8-b02c-4623-ad31-28b659c77429/IMG_5928.JPG Blog - Double Feature - Make it stand out A rare sight: two Pennsylvania historical markers within feet of each other. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/816881ac-ad4b-41d1-9400-2bce5488ebeb/MotherBethel+2+signs.JPG Blog - Double Feature - Make it stand out Another view of the blue and gold Pennsylvania historical markers at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, 6th and Lombard Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Murphy https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/which-is-taller monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/51019ba6-b1b3-4f0d-b1fc-d8d45fa66c7c/Christ+Church+2.jpeg Blog - Whose Is Taller … - Make it stand out Christ Church’s 196-foot-high steeple made it the tallest building in America for 56 years. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d42013bb-9921-4df7-aecc-acd114d9b2fe/St.+Peter%27s+last.JPG Blog - Whose Is Taller … - Make it stand out St. Peter’s “overextended” steeple has surpassed Christ Church’s in height since the 1840s. Almost no one knows this. I sure didn’t. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/touch-up monthly 0.5 2024-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/fa1e51f0-8fea-4934-b99f-71e940e7b693/IMG_5534.JPG Blog - Touch Up - Make it stand out Steeplejack Frank Kenny prepares to repaint the steeple at Historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, 916 S. Swanson Street, Philadelphia. It’s the oldest church in Pennsylvania. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/wawa-welcome-america-concerts-moved-a-block-north-this-year monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/a7e36faf-8257-4671-ba1a-795af5ec0432/Wawa+3.JPG Blog - Wawa Welcome America Concerts Moved a Block North This Year - Make it stand out With an easy-to-hear P.A. system, view of Independence Hall and restroom facilities nearby, I think this new location near the Independence Visitor Center deserves 5 stars. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/9d72b9a0-ed63-4d73-b0e8-9d475f69bda0/IMG_5499.JPG Blog - Wawa Welcome America Concerts Moved a Block North This Year - Make it stand out The Philly POPS attracted a big crowd on both sides of Market Street. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/ben-franklin-makes-a-point monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/3332439c-504a-4695-8945-096d230ffe2f/IMG_5526.JPG Blog - Ben Franklin Makes A Point - Make it stand out This Ben Franklin replica sculpture at Library Hall, 5th Street across from Independence Hall, shows the scepter pointing down — where Franklin felt monarchies were headed. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/dcd6a78c-4f0e-4342-83e7-4ff00fe07158/ATI-frontis_lg.jpg Blog - Ben Franklin Makes A Point - Make it stand out Battered Ben: This is Francesco Lazzarini’s marble sculpture, ca. 1729, commissioned by William Bingham for the Library’s Company first building. Courtesy of Library Company of Philadelphia. Note the broken arms and missing scepter and scroll that appear in the reproduction at the top of this story. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d80f3866-38f8-4360-817d-9fe43931294d/NYSA_A3045-78_1110_representation_822_original.jpg Blog - Ben Franklin Makes A Point - Make it stand out Upper part of the Library Company of Philadelphia Building, Statue of Franklin, Locust and Juniper Streets, Philadelphia, (1912). Photo courtesy of New York State Archives. Education Dept. Division of Visual Instruction. Instructional lantern slides, ca. 1856–1939. Series A3045–78, No. 1110. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/made-up-history monthly 0.5 2022-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/2fae8174-5d9b-40a2-a8bc-2c94e58d682a/John+Hanson+Plaques+%23+2_Page_1.jpg Blog - Made-Up History - Make it stand out This plaque copy at Philadelphia’s Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church is basically untrue and will be corrected. What’s more, Colonel John Hanson is not Swedish, say two top genealogists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d6943a83-c919-4111-ad8a-615505b43e83/John+Hanson+Plaques+%23+2_Page_2.jpg Blog - Made-Up History - Make it stand out This plaque copy also contains falsehoods. John Hanson was not elected President of the United States nor was he the Father of Our Constitution. This will receive a correction statement. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/carpenters-hall monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e22bcda9-26c4-4e07-b4f0-31a5fdc56481/Modified+shot2.JPG Blog - Correcting History: - Make it stand out This picture made me realize how similar the first Northampton County Courthouse and Philadelphia’s Carpenters’ Hall looked. I saw this 1845 image online, then in-person at the Historical Marx Room of the Easton Area Public Library, where I took a photo. Unfortunately, the building, located on Easton’s Centre Square, was torn down in 1861. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5ea65ae9-b1c2-42af-b2e1-e326d862ef3d/Carpenters%27+Hall.JPG Blog - Correcting History: - Make it stand out Carpenters’ Hall is wrongly thought to have been the model for the Northampton County Courthouse. Turns out it was the other way around. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/quick-tip monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/47c708b8-1b44-480a-8211-dc35cb5db82a/1*gq3aXQBXFuxbZ555TMtaxw.jpeg Blog - Quick Tip - Make it stand out If you’re really short on time, you can avoid the long line by looking in the window. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/7875b511-36c2-4cc7-bee2-0305a7fe2352/1*XFUqyZRDFs2DK7gH3bUsdw.jpeg Blog - Quick Tip - Make it stand out Here’s the window many people use to view the Liberty Bell. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/double-talk monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/36464115-938a-453b-8b7c-5e541f407b01/1*vX7fIenHAQ9_roCCcGO0Sg.jpeg Blog - Double Talk! - Make it stand out YO faces the Independence Visitor Center one block away. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/55d8a53d-2135-40bc-9776-ba17a245ec46/1*1NgIHEhmhU9nA9g9Vko2-Q.jpeg Blog - Double Talk! - Make it stand out OY, often used as Oy Vey, is a popular Yiddish term expressing dismay or exasperation. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/74qgn78s8jy8lrpy8319bkmoqmb9lo monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/16fcf2b8-06bf-46a6-ac90-e15d5a536bf5/Athenaeum.JPG Blog - Closed for Repairs - Make it stand out Officials at The Athenaeum of Philadelphia hope for a fall reopening. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/258c282b-506b-4dfe-a328-9a2b9d66e241/36-Carpenters%27+Hall2.JPG Blog - Closed for Repairs - Make it stand out Carpenters’ Hall is expected to reopen near the end of the year. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/960stxm1zbnpeuwfoylunghixhklv2 monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/c802f3b9-cd70-47e1-99f3-207fbc92d157/PennMutual1+2.JPG Blog - Spotting Billy Penn Around Philly - Make it stand out I recently stumbled on this small image of William Penn near the back of Independence Hall at 6th and Walnut Streets. I’d never realized it was there. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/48ea7127-b6be-435a-a062-fe03077caaba/1*qXzlyKbN75aDJV2p4QvWPQ.jpeg Blog - Spotting Billy Penn Around Philly - Make it stand out This large statue of William Penn was a gift from his grandson, John Penn, to Pennsylvania Hospital. You can see it on Pine Street between 8th and 9th Street. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/and-the-hits-just-keep-on-coming monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5f305d55-db27-4e38-bb64-d3ad35f57762/IMG_5053.JPG Blog - And The Hits Just Keep On Coming - Make it stand out This copper screen, titled Ars Medendi (Latin for the Medical Art), was created by Jim Sanborn. You’ll find it at Thomas Jefferson University, 10th Street near Locust. To me, it’s a trapezoid. Some call it a wall. To know just what Sanborn is saying here, with sources, email Jim@realphillyhistory.com and ask for the answer key. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1edc8acd-310b-40ae-8b69-570d556c8c8b/1*ps_M5YIy6WX8iwBZxLaiyA.jpeg Blog - And The Hits Just Keep On Coming - Make it stand out “The Roundabout” refers to roads around Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and also to the way the public moves through and about this space. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e6c3fe7f-13f6-4c30-8428-23e5112e1676/IMG_5012.jpeg Blog - And The Hits Just Keep On Coming - Make it stand out I failed to see Philadelphia row houses here. But you might! Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/bar-code monthly 0.5 2022-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/291df3e0-5fcc-4577-9420-b95fdc85f3a9/745110169758.jpg Blog - Worldwide Impact - Make it stand out Barcode sample courtesy of International Barcodes, Ltd. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/draft-gloria-dei-steeple monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e0d96d07-ee3b-4285-8ffd-da0e46090bb5/GloriaDei+2.JPG Blog - High Time - Make it stand out Thanks to a matching grant, the steeple at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’), Pennsylvania’s oldest church, will be repainted this spring. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/ben-franklins-frustration monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5669f928-456b-4184-bf70-7d75d12989ec/IMG_4963.JPG Blog - Ben Franklin’s Frustration - Make it stand out Current view of Franklin Court, 322 Market Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/do-you-mispronounce-these-historic-philadelphia-names monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/cedda129-e6a5-4637-b4c9-73eb48e52a40/Furness_Lib_from_N_UPenn.JPG Blog - Do You Mispronounce These Historic Philadelphia Names? - Make it stand out To me, the name of architect Frank Furness, designer of the fabulous Fisher Fine Arts Library at the University of Pennsylvania, is the most frequently mispronounced historic name in Philly. Photo by Smallbones. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/point-counterpoint-1 monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d8ac2ece-82ca-4909-8d92-487c8937fc98/Penn+Medium+photo.jpg Blog - Point Counterpoint - Make it stand out Both William Penn above and the Tamanend statue below have their right hands extended. This figure at Welcome Park is a mini-version of Penn’s huge statue atop City Hall by Alexander Milne Calder. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e633415c-f6cd-4eb5-8cc1-bf668e10e591/52616002575_ed339f7f39_o.jpg Blog - Point Counterpoint - Make it stand out Mounted on a pedestal, Tamanend, by Raymond Sandoval, looks west toward City Hall and William Penn’s 37-foot-high statue — thought to be the largest atop a building in the world. View is at Front and Market streets. Photo by Gary Glen Price. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/how-green-tree-insurance-came-to-be monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f0381c03-7d49-4a70-a163-7794ea6ed436/IMG_4843.JPG Blog - How Green Tree insurance came to be - Make it stand out After 1781, a tree in the front yard would have disqualified this house from getting insurance from The Philadelphia Contributionship started by Ben Franklin. The Mutual Assurance Company, which used a symbol of a green tree on its policies and fire marks, began covering homes with trees in 1784. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8bda0e55-c494-4a47-8652-27f0528a1755/IMG_4891.JPG Blog - How Green Tree insurance came to be - Make it stand out At least three houses on the north side of the 200 block of Pine Street in Philadelphia’s Society Hill have these Green Tree firemarks on them. Many of the early firemarks were cast-iron. I’m not sure what these are made of. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/kl7ebv0siozqslk3rnktwxmmj73m13 monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1640988800800-JGOGKKVU2K1FYUS8VFA3/1*4RwW1veXnZ7CAQodAs7xNA.jpeg Blog - The Swede Spot - Make it stand out The latest of four Philly sculptures by Swedish-born Claes Oldenburg is Paint Torch, on Broad Street near The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/4b6df4ac-548b-41a4-aa64-95a6344fed91/1*-htcT3bNYmfKlNBlN0EBxQ.jpeg Blog - The Swede Spot - Make it stand out The Clothespin stands right near City Hall in Center City. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/hidden-homage monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0307a421-e169-4d06-afb5-8e5dbecbb74b/1*9ppSFaX9bB-_5QoQS6ulDQ.jpeg Blog - Hidden Homage - Make it stand out This site of Ben Franklin’s first Philadelphia printing shop near 2nd and Market Street is marked by a 1961 plaque from Sigma Delta Chi, the national professional journalistic society. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/03a152d4-c710-444e-a854-9f924e3b5b35/1*FeifCu3EUGzrtKqWHizy1A.jpeg Blog - Hidden Homage - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/grumman-greenhouse monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6ac483b1-58fb-4050-a0f3-acebbdb67c62/1*s5zfHqETw2zSFqSgY3geYA.jpeg Blog - Grumman Greenhouse - Make it stand out A purposely crumpled U.S. Navy S2F Grumman Tracker sits on Lenfest Plaza next to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Today, instead of hunting and attacking submarines, the aircraft helps grow healthful vegetables. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/remarkable-relic monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e16245fe-3fff-4de2-84a8-821e10f36cbf/IMG_4680.JPG Blog - Remarkable Relic - Make it stand out This is the last remaining stairway along Philadelphia’s old sea wall. The stairways were ordered by William Penn to give citizens easy public access up to the waterfront. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/37a708f7-fdcb-4d0c-a637-579d5db0e1a1/IMG_4689+resized.JPG Blog - Remarkable Relic - Make it stand out View is from 325 N. Front Street looking down toward Water Street and the Delaware River. Photo by Jim Murphy. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/friends-of-a-friend monthly 0.5 2021-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e705ae58-901d-40e5-a936-1e3520cc1227/William+Penn+postcard.png Blog - Friends of a Friend - Make it stand out This rare postcard depicts William Penn’s relationship with Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church in Philadelphia. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/u3gnf4gvv8y2vtbe047np9awhsu5gj monthly 0.5 2021-11-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1635183949359-YNTGFUV66SFBON32HMEU/unsplash-image-CoXCWbDqo8Y.jpg Blog - An easy way to remember Philadelphia streets … - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/what-you-probably-never-noticed-on-the-liberty-bell monthly 0.5 2021-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1632839544507-U91N0I1S9C4H1396HO14/The+Liberty+Bell Blog - What You Probably Never Noticed On The Liberty Bell - Make it stand out The Liberty Bell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1632839365988-DDE0DI2H2NYB18SWGGJS/1*-DTDweylXYrYmtqMLtoqug.jpeg Blog - What You Probably Never Noticed On The Liberty Bell - Make it stand out PHILADA appears at least twice on the Liberty Bell. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2013. loc.gov/item/2019689165/. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/phillys-immigration-station monthly 0.5 2021-10-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1632163895823-M22IM2KRXW7A5A98V3S5/1-2-1E6C-25-ExplorePAHistory-a0n0p4-a_349.jpg Blog - Philly’s Immigration Station - Make it stand out Engraving of landing place of European Steamers, and Pennsylvania Railroad Station, Philadelphia, c. 1887. Reproduced from Tariff of Immigrant Fares from Philadelphia Issued by the Immigrant Clearing House Committee, in Effect April 1st, 1887. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/how-philly-became-just-the-nations-6th-largest-city monthly 0.5 2023-11-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1629739605596-IN2PQCHXLNAYTUNYCG5E/unsplash-image-PORWKRAI55U.jpg Blog - How Philly Became Just the Nation’s 6th Largest City - Make it stand out Philadelphia is the second largest city on the East Coast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/cutting-edge-ideas monthly 0.5 2021-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1627332336511-BMSB0EGKTTHDHQL6GH1T/AdobeStock_103028961.jpeg Blog - Cutting-Edge Ideas - Make it stand out Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s oldest hospital, was founded in 1751. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1627332994978-JL75HZBFQ0RLLMLO3Q6P/Hill-Physick-Keith_House.jpg Blog - Cutting-Edge Ideas - Make it stand out The Hill-Physick House, photographed by Beyond My Ken. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1627333665219-EHHP34PW55LH0BJ8X99O/College_of_Physicians_1.JPG Blog - Cutting-Edge Ideas - Make it stand out The Mütter Museum is famous for its unique collection of medical oddities. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/old-pine-churchyard monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626970916561-E6U7IFR5ICHR0U2J6E4C/Old+Pine.jpeg Blog - Why You Should Visit Old Pine’s Churchyard - Make it stand out 13-star flags fluttering over the graves of Revolutionary War veterans at Old Pine. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626971232234-T0WD3VMGLH2IVF3LGHKF/Ormandy.jpeg Blog - Why You Should Visit Old Pine’s Churchyard - Make it stand out Memorial to Eugene Ormandy, renowned conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626971232861-9MN38R4IPX90B90EEUG3/Oh.jpeg Blog - Why You Should Visit Old Pine’s Churchyard - Make it stand out Memorial to In Ho Oh, who died in Philadelphia in 1958. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/my-most-unusual-philadelphia-tour-group-ever monthly 0.5 2021-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626969218501-4M7VX4WA244WW3OH1UAF/WomenRunningTheWorld.jpeg Blog - My Most Unusual Philadelphia Tour Group Ever - Make it stand out Women Running the World in Philadelphia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626969687404-OF8SEM0380L7M4Z72A4J/unsplash-image-QHfejEG54ro.jpg Blog - My Most Unusual Philadelphia Tour Group Ever - Statue of Commodore John Barry at Independence Mall. Statue of Commodore John Barry at Independence Mall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626970164515-OU9USXCY092BQGW5FVI8/WilliamHowe1777ColorMezzotint.jpeg Blog - My Most Unusual Philadelphia Tour Group Ever - Make it stand out A color mezzotint of British General Sir William Howe. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/a-triple-philly-treat monthly 0.5 2021-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626121387108-18E4CJZ0PS2U1GGB23TA/unsplash-image-ZB5Xgw_MLa0.jpg Blog - A Triple Philly Treat - Make it stand out Philadelphia’s City Hall, with the Masonic Temple close by on its left. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626122036759-AC9O8DAEUNBM7JEE7O1G/Masonic_Temple_of_Philadelphia.JPG Blog - A Triple Philly Treat - Make it stand out Masonic Temple of Philadelphia, PA. Photo by ProfReader. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1626121864410-O71Q7CDTZJ1QOWW8DTLP/Pennsylvania_Academy_of_the_Fine_Arts_building.jpg Blog - A Triple Philly Treat - Make it stand out Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts building. Photo by Difference engine. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/the-penns-pal monthly 0.5 2021-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1624901229795-UYBRMDSCNU91ZU44W0RG/Elaine+Peden.jpg Blog - The Penns’ Pal - Make it stand out Elaine Peden https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/i-should-have-changed-my-name monthly 0.5 2022-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1624396921905-5FJ8VHY3JCP055MJQMOI/Wrong+Jim+Murphy+copy.jpg Blog - I should have changed my name to Jim Noce - Make it stand out An example of a website listing the wrong Jim Murphy as the author of my book. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/why-the-mason-dixon-survey-started-on-phillys-south-street monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1622578577667-S1GAT9T94JJTOXIWXAQF/MasonDixonSign.jpg Blog - Why the Mason Dixon Survey Started on Philly’s South Street - Make it stand out Historical marker for the Mason-Dixon Survey at the foot of South Street in Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1622578119603-FM3BT2AQNDNRWJCEG0XL/plumsted.png Blog - Why the Mason Dixon Survey Started on Philly’s South Street https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1622578015331-OFGBO2MBBIEPZ8P889KQ/Stickmen+near+Mason+Dixon+sign.JPG Blog - Why the Mason Dixon Survey Started on Philly’s South Street https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/want-to-learn-history-easily monthly 0.5 2021-07-23 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tag/acadians monthly 0.5 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tag/music monthly 0.5 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tag/philadelphia monthly 0.5 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tag/hannah-callowhill monthly 0.5 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tag/history monthly 0.5 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tag/mason-dixon monthly 0.5 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/blog/tag/william-penn monthly 0.5 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances daily 0.75 2022-11-15 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/press-conference-with-jim-delorenzo monthly 0.5 2022-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8a4cfe79-c1d6-48ad-aa76-9e404d70f112/Screen+Shot+2022-06-16+at+4.59.22+PM.png Appearances - Press Conference with Jim DeLorenzo - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/beyond-the-page monthly 0.5 2022-11-15 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/historical-society-of-pennsylvania monthly 0.5 2021-11-22 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/ask-us-anything-part-2 monthly 0.5 2021-11-17 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/i-hear-america-talking monthly 0.5 2021-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1625345808348-1T46LW1WROC39OA63QAC/Wrdb_and_wlbs.jpg Appearances - I Hear America Talking - Make it stand out Home of WRDV and WLBS FM Radio Stations, Hatboro, PA. Photo by Aaron Kuhn. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/temple-university-press-podcast monthly 0.5 2021-06-09 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/philly-factor monthly 0.5 2021-06-09 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/appearances/hgdpc-penn monthly 0.5 2021-06-09 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press daily 0.75 2023-09-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/real-philly-history-real-fast-wznn6 monthly 0.5 2023-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/34c31f16-2c8d-48ef-863c-d8fff0bfd4cc/SHCA+May_June+23+Real+Philly+History+Real+Fast+Story+%28dragged%29.png Recent Press - Fascinating Fast Facts - About his book: “Today, 24 months after publication and with no major media coverage, Real Philly History, Real Fast is still number nine on Amazon’s list of Best Sellers in Philadelphia Travel Books. Of course, some days it’s number 35 and other days number two or three.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/real-philly-history-real-fast monthly 0.5 2023-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5c16b72b-f27c-442b-b69c-2f43e2c0dd5a/PA+Magazine+Nov%3ADec+2021+p49.png Recent Press - Real Philly History, Real Fast “This book by Jim Murphy certainly ranks as one of the best guides to visiting Philadelphia … The author has done a fine job presenting a guide that anyone can use to navigate the city and all it has to offer. It is highly recommended.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/letter-to-the-editor-phillys-historic-heritage monthly 0.5 2021-10-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/30d74377-d7d9-4863-812f-6f68f4ac5eb7/Letter2Editor.jpg Recent Press - Letter to the Editor: Philly’s historic heritage - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/exploring-philly-historyreal-fast monthly 0.5 2021-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/fbaa1cb2-3019-4237-a281-755c7d50ad87/Screen+Shot+2021-10-25+at+2.10.05+PM.png Recent Press - Exploring Philly history…real fast “During several segments, it dives into South Philly. Magic Gardens, the Italian Market and Sparks Shot Tower are just some of the fascinating entries with South Philly Flavor. Immigration Station, Grand Battery and Gloria Dei Church are also among the must-reads.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/jim-murphy-delivers-real-history-real-fast monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1632842697301-RCZ1C9BS9V132GTZX86O/Jim+Murphy+Delivers+Real+History%2C+Real+Fast+%E2%80%94+COLLINGSWOOD+BOOK+FESTIVAL+%28dragged%29.png Recent Press - Jim Murphy Delivers Real History, Real Fast “Philadelphia is not your average city, and Jim Murphy’s Real Philly History, Real Fast is not your typical guidebook … It’s less of a stodgy Fodor’s or Frommer’s travel book and more of “a cheesesteak wit” kind of guide.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/author-jim-murphy-provides-51-reasons-to-travel-to-philly monthly 0.5 2021-09-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1632162434792-CPNFM1EFE7A4XOVMLK5Z/Author+Jim+Murphy+Provides+51+Reasons+to+Travel+to+Philly.png Recent Press - Author Jim Murphy Provides 51 Reasons to Travel to Philly “The book's subjects range from the Acadians and the Mason-Dixon Survey to the Ninth Street Market and Isaiah Zagar of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Readers will discover interesting facts on every page that make touring Philadelphia far more enjoyable.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/kudos-on-real-philly-history-real-fast-from-a-retired-mayor-of-caerwys-wales monthly 0.5 2021-09-20 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/center-city-tour-guides-discoveries-about-philadelphia-history monthly 0.5 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1631034155342-J3QWEOO5WMSDOE92VSQJ/CCQ+Fall+2021+Final+%281%29+%28dragged%29.png Recent Press - Center City Tour Guide’s Discoveries about Philadelphia History “Murphy introduces the reader to some Philadelphia history that many people might not know at all, and provides a new and interesting perspective on familiar historic places, people, museums, architecture, and communities.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/broad-street-review monthly 0.5 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1629300480719-QXP3W9LYOYJXBNXPAEGI/Broad+Street+Review.jpg Recent Press - Baths, Burials and Commodore Barry “Jim Murphy distills people, places, and things that slipped through the cracks into a rapid-fire tour that’ll make you want to revisit Philadelphia’s past.” “Generously illustrated, the book offers an opportunity to see Philadelphia through time by preserving the footnotes and below-the-surface details. Real Philly History, REAL FAST may inspire readers to take spend a little more time in the past, noticing and remembering.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/real-philly-history-real-fast-tells-citys-story-in-bite-sized-pieces monthly 0.5 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1627492157205-UPMPSU5SALXDRZYYWQRI/%2522Real+Philly+History%2C+Real+Fast%2522+by+Jim+Murphy+Tells+City%27s+Story+in+Bite-Sized+Pieces+%28dragged%29.png Recent Press - "Real Philly History, Real Fast" Tells City's Story in Bite-Sized Pieces “A new type of city guidebook, published by Temple University Press June 18, is gaining lots of attention in Philadelphia.” Murphy says, "You can read the book anywhere. And if you don't like one story, you can just jump to the next." “The 51 stories include such varied subjects as William Penn, the Nativist "Bible Riots" and the country's first quarantine station.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/ssusmkqpzv72mb3mplajrnqhoev5tq monthly 0.5 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1627490963160-90M7N02T576MVXBG41XT/QtrlyCrier-2021summer.png Recent Press - Fascinating Philly Facts “A rather unique approach to writing history — why that title?” What else about the format should people know? Philadelphia has such a rich and storied history. How did you decide what to include in your book? What is a fact about Philadelphia that really surprised you? https://www.realphillyhistory.com/recent-press/blog-post-title-one-tzykb monthly 0.5 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1627490217292-RJ3HH08QINYGRU6G7ATN/SHR.png Recent Press - On Our Shelf “What makes the book unique, he says, is how much detail is packed into each story. Averaging about 750 words and taking 25 to 35 hours to research, write and then reduce the copy to its essence, each chapter has a headline, a subhead to explain why it’s important, short paragraphs, informative bullet points, interesting oddities, fast facts, nearby attractions and a color photo, all in about three to four pages.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events daily 0.75 2025-04-29 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/free-mini-tour-of-society-hill-plus-a-book-signing-at-head-house-books monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1745943370988-SOQHO6UPUNMOZ5HAEWKO/76a3d202d8cf894f0ca6f9ef2f76b886.jpg Events - Free Mini-Tour of Society Hill. Plus … a book-signing- at Head House Books - Make it stand out The 60-minute mini-tour on June 14 will walk through key areas of beautiful Society Hill and end up at Head House Books for a signing of Jim Murphy’s book, “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” The tour is free. The book signing is for those who pre-order the book at Head House Books. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/a-fast-fun-look-at-phillys-awesome-public-art-sculpture monthly 0.5 2023-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/94ddde72-4bc7-4e26-8bc6-ae30027ff33f/AdobeStock_133300758.jpeg Events - A Fast, Fun Look at Philly’s Awesome Public Art & Sculpture - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/william-penn-janes-walk monthly 0.5 2022-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1666807584039-TEA37FW1NN71ESSBKG4V/William+Penn_11x17-01.png Events - William Penn Jane’s Walk - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/real-philly-history-real-fast monthly 0.5 2022-01-18 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/beyond-the-book-real-philly-history-real-fast monthly 0.5 2022-01-18 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/ask-us-anything-panel-discussion monthly 0.5 2021-10-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/presentation-for-the-huntingdon-valley-library monthly 0.5 2021-09-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/event-four-bzr56 monthly 0.5 2021-09-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/event-three-3c3ws monthly 0.5 2021-09-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/event-two-clkmf monthly 0.5 2021-09-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/events/event-one-9c9h9 monthly 0.5 2021-09-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/reading daily 0.75 2021-12-19 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/reading/phillyhistory-blog monthly 0.5 2021-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d9801b4e-5b57-47b2-bbf2-6b668b04d8f2/Screen+Shot+2021-12-19+at+4.02.23+PM.png Reading - PhillyHistory Blog Philadelphia has many great sources to enlighten us about our marvelous history. One blog I always enjoy and recommend is from Temple University’s Ken Finkel. Called The PhillyHistory Blog, it’s published by the City Archive and covers a wide range of interesting subjects. Unfortunately, the City Archives won’t email you copies of the latest issue or let you know a new blog has been published – even though I’ve asked for that service. So you’ll have to just keep checking back for new info. But this blog is worth it. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/reading/never-caught monthly 0.5 2021-11-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/19c9f22b-757d-4bd9-95fd-f73423106e4d/never-caught-9781501126390_hr.jpg Reading - Never Caught Erica Armstrong Dunbar tells the riveting story of Ona Judge, Martha Washington’s chief attendant, who escaped from both the President’s House on High Street and the clutches of George Washington to live out her life in New Hampshire. Read the book. Then look for Ona Judge’s footsteps at the President’s House, 6th and Market Street, Philadelphia. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/reading/philadelphias-lost-waterfront monthly 0.5 2021-10-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1634574175185-D675RM4GWEWQ00ELB4J2/1572182121.jpeg Reading - Philadelphia’s Lost Waterfront I refer to this book all the time. Harry Kyriakodis, whom I first met at the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides, has written several books about Philadelphia. They’re all good, but this is the one I like best … and use most. From the Wood Street Steps to Washington Avenue, Harry makes Philly’s old waterfront come alive. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/reading/blog-post-title-one-r9zsa monthly 0.5 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1632154843530-PJXAR3RM2INGSWB7G4AD/51i4%2Bd6BooL.jpg Reading - “Independence: A Guide To Historic Philadelphia” - Ed Mauger, a founding member of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides – who has since passed away – considered this the best book of the Old City/Society Hill areas. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. It’s where I first learned that Philadelphia prohibited smoking in the famous Market in 1722, as well as in the streets. The book is both interesting and informative. Please let me know what you think of it. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts daily 0.75 2026-01-29 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/philly-has-its-own-bridge-of-sighs monthly 0.5 2026-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/327c14b9-836b-48c7-b2ce-fa83b0c7397e/IMG_8851.jpg Philly Facts - Philly Has Its Own Bridge of Sighs - Make it stand out Years ago, in Venice, I was captivated by the ornate Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), built in 1600. So, I was stunned one day to see Philadelphia’s own version near 7th and Filbert Streets. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of "Real Philly History, Real Fast." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d4911328-ea9c-4100-bf57-a59b913eea9f/Venice_-_The_Bridge_of_Sighs.jpg Philly Facts - Philly Has Its Own Bridge of Sighs - Make it stand out This file is licensed under the Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. User: Nino Barbieri. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venice_-_The_Bridge_of_Sighs.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/bc3e87da-2ae9-46a6-87db-3a39ca9c999b/Italian+Legacy+in+Phila.jpg Philly Facts - Philly Has Its Own Bridge of Sighs - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/from-anonymous-to-now-named monthly 0.5 2025-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f626b96d-0247-41bd-9c74-02ddf2270dcf/IMG_0217.jpeg Philly Facts - From Anonymous to Now-Named - Make it stand out For quite some time, I wondered who wrote the headline for the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier in Washington Square. Now I know. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/clicking-cameras monthly 0.5 2025-11-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5a424bb5-acbe-4962-8640-e4bd848ee132/Polish+visitors+like+Halloween.jpg Philly Facts - Clicking Cameras - Make it stand out Polish visitors I toured through Society Hill swarm around fascinating Philly Halloween decorations at Third and Delancey Street. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/i-finally-saw-freedom-in-person monthly 0.5 2025-09-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/88067da9-8ccd-4226-8d05-f0c7b94ac39c/IMG_8333.jpg Philly Facts - I finally saw “Freedom” in-person - Make it stand out I’d seen photos of this work by sculptor Zenos Frudakis. But only visited it in-person recently. I love it, and think it’s a spectacular piece of public art. I hope you agree. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/surprisingly-real-rocky-statue-is-still-standing-at-art-museum monthly 0.5 2025-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/65ae41bd-1932-4907-a616-0dd27e721db6/Real+Rocky.jpg Philly Facts - Surprisingly, Real Rocky Statue Is Still Standing At Art Museum - Make it stand out Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/this-dazzling-building-features-important-figures-of-insurance monthly 0.5 2025-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/10abee44-2398-40a1-a6f9-79d560ac761b/Animals+of+Insurance.jpeg Philly Facts - This dazzling building features important figures of insurance - Make it stand out Once the Fidelity Life Insurance Building, this is now the beautiful art deco Perelman Building across from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/bfaf23c4-ed99-4111-b9eb-006874828057/Smaller+animals+of+insurance.jpeg Philly Facts - This dazzling building features important figures of insurance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/last-day-of-organ-music-at-macys monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/cf745f88-65ed-4d33-abce-e7435962fc38/Last+Organ+at+Macy%27s.jpg Philly Facts - Last day of organ music at Macy’s - Make it stand out Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/philly-has-william-penns-baptismal-font monthly 0.5 2025-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/b000070d-a3e6-46ac-9a00-5a61a404d275/WP%27s+Baptismal+Font.jpg Philly Facts - Philly has William Penn’s Baptismal Font - Make it stand out This beautiful octagonal baptismal font inside Christ Church dates from the 1400s. It’s also supposed to be the one in which William Penn was baptized. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/camac-street-gets-its-wood-back monthly 0.5 2025-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/76eaaa02-3d47-4c00-8f0c-ab3c35835aa8/IMG_8148.jpg Philly Facts - Camac Street gets its wood back - Make it stand out Two walkers cross Camac Street just north of Locust Street. Much of Camac Street’s 200 block, once one of Philadelphia’s only wood-paved streets, is now covered with wood again. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/pent-eaves-were-popular-in-colonial-philadelphia monthly 0.5 2024-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8ad8f387-1c18-4c4b-9adf-f27fc2d682ad/More+Pent+Eaves.jpeg Philly Facts - Pent eaves were popular in Colonial Philadelphia - Make it stand out Walk down the 200 block of Delancey Street in Society Hill and you’ll see four homes in a row with pent eaves. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/the-eyes-dont-lie monthly 0.5 2024-12-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d087cdde-7126-499a-8264-6234c48377e0/Eyes+Photo.jpg Philly Facts - The Eyes Don’t Lie - Make it stand out Large 5-foot eyes from “The Descendants of Monticello,” peer out from 18 windows at those passing the Declaration House at 7th and Market Street. This powerful exhibit takes place in the in the same spot where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of "Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/the-spirit-of-transportation monthly 0.5 2024-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d2912d94-27d4-4a44-89a2-a896f6fb25b2/Spirit+of+Transportation.jpg Philly Facts - The Spirit of Transportation - Make it stand out A passer-by checks out a large 3-dimensional relief sculpture by Karl Bitter inside the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/a1a6aaac-8d15-4d65-a23d-1dcf639ab7e2/Info+Spirit+of+Transportation.jpg Philly Facts - The Spirit of Transportation - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/bolt-of-lightning-a-memorialnbspto-benjamin-franklin monthly 0.5 2024-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f17016c6-7408-49ac-a77a-4f10ee829243/unnamed.jpg Philly Facts - Bolt of Lightning: A Memorial to Benjamin Franklin - Make it stand out Ben Franklin’s experiment with a kite in a thunderstorm proved that lightning was a form of electricity. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/phillies-fans-hope-for-another-red-october monthly 0.5 2024-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/615e459d-a364-4e92-b34a-fa519964c54a/Great+Philly+Shot+by+Bob+Fleischer.jpg Philly Facts - Phillies’ fans hope for another “Red October” - Make it stand out This dramatic photo of Philadelphia was made by my talented friend, Bob Fleischer. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/the-thaddeus-kosciuszko-national-memorial monthly 0.5 2024-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/bc9d53be-70d9-40b2-9d40-51dc1ab278c5/Kosciuszko+House.jpg Philly Facts - The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial - Make it stand out Coming in at just .02 acres in size, the Kosciuszko House, 301 Pine Street in Philadelphia’s Society Hill area, is the smallest unit in the entire U.S. National Park system. It’s usually open Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast,” published by Temple University Press. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/follow-the-footsteps monthly 0.5 2024-05-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/7592be15-ee02-4762-8b03-329d9da3b2f4/IMG_7627+2.jpg Philly Facts - Follow the Footsteps - Make it stand out Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast,” published by Temple University Press. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/the-waiting-workforce monthly 0.5 2024-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5f9b9cd9-a007-4754-9ad8-fd640fc7f23a/IMG_7596+copy.jpeg Philly Facts - The Waiting Workforce - Make it stand out The Waiting Workforce is sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/the-philadelphia-flower-show-continues-its-brilliant-run monthly 0.5 2024-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/faec0edb-bcc5-4b6a-8e14-1fee52727993/Flower+Show+Uhique+Map.jpg Philly Facts - The Philadelphia Flower Show continues its brilliant run - Make it stand out Jennifer Designs created a spectacular floral map of the U.S. for the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/a3f07098-2c8a-4b67-b651-74a4138ea027/Flower+Show+Marker.jpg Philly Facts - The Philadelphia Flower Show continues its brilliant run - Make it stand out A Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker at 717 Chestnut Street pinpoints the location of the first Philadelphia Flower Show in 1829. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/edgar-allan-poe-has-a-double-in-south-philly monthly 0.5 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/fef76c23-386e-46c4-9317-1b15110d5f40/Edgar+Allan+Poe%27s+Double.jpeg Philly Facts - Edgar Allan Poe has a double in South Philly - Make it stand out I really thought this was Edgar Allan Poe. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/5bc30a13-6e10-434b-b3b2-cc0624a1d0f8/Edgar_Allan_Poe_2.jpeg Philly Facts - Edgar Allan Poe has a double in South Philly - Make it stand out Daguerrotype of Edgar Allan Poe. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Taken by W.S. Hartshorn, Providence, RI, November 9, 1848. Photograph taken in 1904 by C.T. Tatman. Note: The Library of Congress image is from a copy of a copy; the original has been missing since 1860; see Michael J. Deas, The Portraits and Photographs of Edgar Allan Poe, University Press of Virginia, 1988, p. 40. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/sweet-street monthly 0.5 2024-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8c749950-76d1-48ba-b3ca-1e7db383602b/IMG_0197.jpeg Philly Facts - Sweet Street - Make it stand out To celebrate the holidays, Reading Terminal Market – which descended from Philadelphia’s first market – set up Gingerbread Lane this year, with over 600 gingerbread houses on it. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/philadelphias-land-buoy monthly 0.5 2024-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/10426ebd-3bda-48a7-ae9f-da61efed12bd/Land+Buoy.jpg Philly Facts - Philadelphia’s “Land Buoy” - Make it stand out Candace Roberts walks up the “Land Buoy” steps at Philadelphia’s Washington Avenue Pier. “It’s great exercise,” she says. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/43836220-05a5-4f65-9d14-251bf7ea44d3/Land+Buoy+2014.jpg Philly Facts - Philadelphia’s “Land Buoy” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/ben-franklin-retraces-his-philly-steps-300-years-later monthly 0.5 2024-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/d97e27e8-8ba9-4ba5-9858-5b08f78ef194/Benat200+2.jpg Philly Facts - Ben Franklin retraces his Philly steps 300 years later - Make it stand out Young Ben Franklin (played by local actor Benjamin Snyder) carries his “puffy rolls” through the streets of Philadelphia Oct. 6, 2023, 300 years after he first entered the city. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/a-rare-public-honor-to-an-english-monarch monthly 0.5 2024-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1332201c-bf11-4997-88b1-d779249247eb/IMG_6630.JPG Philly Facts - A rare public honor to an English monarch - Make it stand out This bas relief of King George II on the east side of Christ Church is thought to be the only surviving outdoor homage to English royalty on any public building in the original 13 Colonies. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/a-magnificent-place-to-read monthly 0.5 2024-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6902e3f1-a27b-42ce-905f-bee99c079b1a/ReadingRoom+Athenaeum.jpeg Philly Facts - A magnificent place to read - Make it stand out The reading room at The Athenaeum of Philadelphia is just spectacular. Recently updated, it now includes modern technology that was sadly lacking before. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/insurance-helps-carpenters-hall-with-repairs monthly 0.5 2025-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0ba61300-fe16-411d-844e-588f8c4f9e42/Carpenters+Hall+w_4+firemarks.jpg Philly Facts - Insurance helps Carpenters’ Hall with repairs - Make it stand out If you look carefully, you can count four Philadelphia fire marks on the front of Carpenters’ Hall. They mean the property is insured for fire. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/woman-looking-through-a-window monthly 0.5 2024-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0c797d65-b231-4395-9556-d942ea5b9294/IMG_6981.jpg Philly Facts - I finally found the “Woman Looking Through a Window” - Make it stand out This artwork by George Segal is at 615 Chestnut Street. You can even step behind it to see more of the woman. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/home-run monthly 0.5 2024-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/0068140c-4cb0-413b-8d57-9441ed872b9a/IMG_6875+copy.jpeg Philly Facts - A Home Run - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/greenways-enhance-penns-greene-country-towne monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1ebf1589-652d-47bd-bbb3-b5c168da86d0/IMG_0098.jpeg Philly Facts - Greenways enhance Penn’s “greene Country Towne” - Make it stand out This “greenway” in the Society Hill section of Philadelphia extends William Penn’s groundbreaking plan for his city. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/philadelphia-busybodies monthly 0.5 2024-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e9d51cc5-d859-4768-a645-eff5d527320e/IMG_6858.jpg Philly Facts - Philadelphia Busybodies - Make it stand out This 3-mirror device called a “busybody” allows residents to see who’s at their door without being seen. (Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.”) https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/one-huge-ship monthly 0.5 2024-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/460e97f1-df2b-4c80-9688-f4b11092b785/USS+United+States.png Philly Facts - One huge ship - Make it stand out The once-proud SS United States sits quietly at its berth on South Columbus Boulevard, seemingly deteriorating in front of our very eyes. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/philada monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/b67f5544-b501-4559-8950-ff404a2c074b/IMG_6780.jpg Philly Facts - See this huge example of the word “Philada” - Make it stand out “Philada Book of Just Hours” is located at the southwest entrance to the Criminal Justice Center, Juniper and Filbert Street. Photo by Jim Murphy, Author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/phillys-city-hall-clocks-are-larger-than-big-bens monthly 0.5 2024-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1688138302783-GSZZLU64MZMHM9B88KK8/image-asset.jpeg Philly Facts - Philly’s City Hall clocks are larger than Big Ben’s - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/john-barry monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/82d66eaf-89a8-4e4b-a31c-c61fac973018/6-Commodore+Barry.jpeg Philly Facts - John Barry may be Philly’s 2nd most photographed statue - Make it stand out Commodore John Barry points at the Delaware River, where he led some extraordinary victories over the British. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/penn-statue monthly 0.5 2023-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621356931279-QY105732KD9ON0ZPWCSL/AdobeStock_309828977+copy.jpeg Philly Facts - Why William Penn’s statue faces the way it does - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/five-medical-schools monthly 0.5 2023-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1627332336511-BMSB0EGKTTHDHQL6GH1T/AdobeStock_103028961.jpeg Philly Facts - One out of every six doctors in the U.S. has received medical training in Philadelphia! - Make it stand out Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first, was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. Today it is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/fluttering-flags monthly 0.5 2023-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6433a8cd-53a9-4902-ad66-0f2001920600/Fluttering+Flags+at+Old+Pine.jpg Philly Facts - Fluttering Flags - Make it stand out Photo by Jim Murphy https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/reading-terminal-market monthly 0.5 2023-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8fcee3da-499a-4d67-a710-cdd60359ba16/42-Reading+Terminal+Market.JPG Philly Facts - Reading Terminal Market - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/a-quest-for-parity monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/78f9dc06-e1cc-4ce1-9fc2-c73714650495/Catto+statue.jpeg Philly Facts - A Quest for Parity - Make it stand out Photo by Jim Murphy, Author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/big-and-bronze monthly 0.5 2023-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/bd7f9d16-dddf-443e-a9d2-36a3d58e4406/Irish+Memorial.jpeg Philly Facts - Big and Bronze - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/big-numbers monthly 0.5 2023-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/17ff2a13-9009-4b8e-9b83-957a75c14001/4910FBFD-4E27-467C-9F5E-85AB41B9AB32.jpeg Philly Facts - Big Numbers - Make it stand out Photo by Jim Murphy https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/philadelphia-served-as-a-measuring-rod-even-for-a-famed-basketball-arena-at-duke monthly 0.5 2023-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1647791321941-BONI6VJB95IKDLXR7AX2/577BC366-813B-4625-AAB4-4B5908ADE5DC.jpeg Philly Facts - Philadelphia served as a measuring rod … even for a famed basketball arena at Duke - Make it stand out Photo of The Palestra, home to the University of Pennsylvania’s basketball teams, courtesy of Matthew Marcucci at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/fanatics-without-number monthly 0.5 2023-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1645559753192-KN79ZNET2KOASIFH6GBL/Mascots_having_fun_outside_the_Good_Morning_America_set._%2826145885146%29.jpg Philly Facts - Fanatics Without Number - Make it stand out Mascots having fun outside the Good Morning America set. Photo by Arturo Pardavila III under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/penns-landing monthly 0.5 2023-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1642533707354-8WAM1ZBJRKTIMQZDU9NE/Thomas_Birch_-_The_Landing_of_William_Penn_-_47.1179_-_Museum_of_Fine_Arts.jpg Philly Facts - Penn’s Landing - Make it stand out The Landing of William Penn by Thomas Birch (c. 1850). https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/society-hill monthly 0.5 2023-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1639947464571-ZNJFUZAQZ8R67P9MBR6R/McFetridge_Map_1886_Cropped.jpg Philly Facts - Society Hill - Make it stand out 1886 Map of Philadelphia by Burk & McFetridge. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/no-walls monthly 0.5 2023-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1637359052843-UKXNYM2R0W5SJIUI98XO/Edward_Hicks_-_Penn%27s_Treaty.jpeg Philly Facts - No walls - Make it stand out Penn's Treaty by Edward Hicks (1847). https://www.realphillyhistory.com/facts/howling-wilderness monthly 0.5 2023-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1634571828585-NV6K39FSDSDIEYEBULC6/1526.72_WILLIAM+PENN_o6+copy.jpg Philly Facts - A Howling Wilderness - Make it stand out William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast daily 0.75 2025-07-27 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/candy monthly 0.5 2025-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1f6d3d83-0872-4243-9f01-bd4637231cf3/Whitman%27s_Retail_Store%2C_Philadelphia%2C_PA_1894.jpg Podcast - Candy - Make it stand out Whitman's Retail Store, 1316 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (1894). https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/barcode monthly 0.5 2025-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/6b275222-8101-4b67-8ace-16a5fc2a9788/us2612994-1.jpg.webp Podcast - Barcode - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/tun-tavern monthly 0.5 2025-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/8b7b129d-f3fb-4631-b11c-704ee3fa5d64/The_old_Tun_Tavern%2C_Philadelphia_-_NARA_-_532355.jpg Podcast - Tun Tavern - Make it stand out The Tun Tavern https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/slinkey monthly 0.5 2025-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/cdbaa0f1-3393-4889-b278-95f61c8109da/We_Made_It_-_Thinktank_Birmingham_Science_Museum_-_Slinky_-_box_%288613923517%29.jpg Podcast - Slinky - Make it stand out The latest exhibit at Thinktank is called We Made It, and is on Level 1 (the mezzanine floor). Slinky Children’s toys. Photo by Ell Brown. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/ricketts-circus monthly 0.5 2025-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/053302fe-5552-4f6f-98d4-a1f1eec97b80/le1518-john-bill-ricketts-cirque.jpg Podcast - Ricketts Circus - Make it stand out John Bill Ricketts, aka, Breschard, the Circus Rider, by Gilbert Stuart. Courtesy of the National Gallery of the Arts. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/congress-hall monthly 0.5 2025-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/7357cec6-c062-48ea-934c-42c42c81f01c/Congress+Hall.png Podcast - Congress Hall - Make it stand out General view of north and west elevations from northwest corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets with Independence Hall and Old City Hall in the background. 1975. Courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/city-hall-clock-big-penn monthly 0.5 2025-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/10382a54-1041-4803-9e49-c700a3dc0520/Broad_Street_and_Philadelphia%27s_New_Sky-Scrapers%2C_South_from_City_Hall_%289302103816%29.jpg Podcast - City Hall Clock (Big Penn) - Make it stand out Broad Street and Philadelphia's New Sky-Scrapers, South from City Hall. Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/pyalvo2fp4u8osa1pr75ww9uxivnok monthly 0.5 2024-12-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/001d423a-0aa2-4abd-942d-04116fe634c3/Old_Swede%27s_Church%2C_Philadelphia%2C_Pa_%28NYPL_b12647398-62191%29.png Podcast - Gloria Dei Church - Make it stand out Postcard image of Old Swedes’ Church, Philadelphia, Pa. by Detroit Publishing Company (1901-1902). https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/hot-air-balloon monthly 0.5 2024-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/83ae75fd-3543-4a1e-bcd0-4bb1f19a29c7/Wonderful_Balloon_Ascents%2C_1870_-_Blanchard%27s_Descent.jpg Podcast - Hot Air Balloon - Make it stand out Illustration, "Blanchard's Descent" from Wonderful Ballon Ascents. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/commodore-john-barry monthly 0.5 2024-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/b98dc16d-4d83-44aa-ab9b-7e4e487eb1d7/Commodore_John_Barry_in_RI_State_House.jpg Podcast - Commodore John Barry - Make it stand out Commodore John Barry. Portrait by Wilfred I. Duphiney (1884-1960). https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/moshulu monthly 0.5 2024-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/cb2d35d2-fc8f-4717-8a6b-46690270633b/Moshulu_%28ship%2C_1904%29_-_SLV_H91.250-176.jpg Podcast - Moshulu - Make it stand out The barque Moshulu in full square rigg sails. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/busybodies monthly 0.5 2024-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/e9d51cc5-d859-4768-a645-eff5d527320e/IMG_6858.jpg Podcast - Busybodies - Make it stand out This 3-mirror device called a “busybody” allows residents to see who’s at their door without being seen. (Photo by Jim Murphy, author of “Real Philly History, Real Fast.”) https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/ohio-house monthly 0.5 2024-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/a2954c0e-a1ef-43eb-8f79-39c9717d7523/lossy-page1-2964px-NORTH_%28FRONT%29_ELEVATION_-_International_Exhibition_of_1876%2C_Ohio_Building%2C_Belmont_Avenue%2C_Philadelphia%2C_Philadelphia_County%2C_PA_HABS_PA%2C51-PHILA%2C265C-1.tif.jpg Podcast - Ohio House - Make it stand out International Exhibition of 1876, Ohio Building. Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (HABS PA,51-PHILA,265C-1). https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/dream-garden monthly 0.5 2024-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1666896433313-ZDUIKEIDE5WXHOEDEL46/2022-08-12+Philadelphia+Dream+Garden.jpg Podcast - Dream Garden - Make it stand out Photo of “The Dream Garden” Tiffany Mosaic by my good friend Gary Glen Price https://www.realphillyhistory.com/podcast/edgar-allan-poe-house monthly 0.5 2024-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1690161630057-81EQJ37JZYRX6NI0884S/IMG_6963.jpg Podcast - Edgar Allan Poe House - Make it stand out You’ll see this sunny watercolor of Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia sitting on the porch of the house at the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia. Illustration by Steven Patricia. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/presentations daily 0.75 2024-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1666807584039-TEA37FW1NN71ESSBKG4V/William+Penn_11x17-01.png Presentations https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621364969312-5Q3PO74X77IHAXEKD8SV/Real+Philly+History_081020+copy.jpg Presentations https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1a3a1bba-4445-426f-92f4-815fada97a30/Joanie+on+Pony.jpeg Presentations https://www.realphillyhistory.com/about daily 0.75 2024-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621286822574-DWZRLWCVH1PBLLHID3IS/Jim+Murphy.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f25e102b-feb9-4d97-9be1-773d01bcc163/unnamed.jpg About Me - Jim Murphy is happy to say his book is now for sale at Head House Books, 2nd Street, Queen Village, and Barnes & Noble on Walnut Street, Rittenhouse Square. Just ask for it. Look for it at the City Hall Visitor Center, too! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621611003470-HNOT5IL6MP6TDW9PPN8E/Cover-Image.jpg About Me - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-05-21 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/home daily 1.0 2024-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621287711341-3D5B045RENTS5WZRMD35/Real+Philly+History_081020.jpg Home Jim Murphy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/f25e102b-feb9-4d97-9be1-773d01bcc163/unnamed.jpg Home - Available Now. It looks as if Jim's book is no longer being sold at the Independence Visitor Center. But it is at the new Barnes & Noble store at 1708 Chestnut Street, and usually is available at Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd Street. Look for it at the City Hall Visitor Center, too! Plus you can order it at bookshop.org and amazon.com. If you buy the book, are in the center city area and want it signed, I will try to accommodate you. Just email me through the contact form on my website. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/my-book daily 0.75 2024-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621287711341-3D5B045RENTS5WZRMD35/Real+Philly+History_081020.jpg My Book - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/tours daily 0.75 2025-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621441751422-NODV55PUP4R779O7451Q/william_penn_at_22_1666+copy.jpg Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621444416053-I4V1P3CN3GIZU9LYTLY7/0047_0051_001+copy+2.jpg Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621442774510-OQAI4J8JW7T0FNK80PFK/High+Street+Market%2C+Philadelphia+%5Bgraphic%5D+_+Drawn%2C+Engraved+%26+Published+by+W.+Birch+%26+Son+%3B+Sold+by+R.+Campbell+%26+Co.%2C+No.+30+Chesnut+%5Bsic%5D+Street+Philada.+copy.jpg Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621441921384-KDS6PZ8RVS3HSCF8WRW9/George+Washington Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621449776515-YBIB9F4H26YD00ZE93II/AdobeStock_237678184+copy.jpeg Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621448067589-1G4OSQ7M7QCFAUKCBB8S/Lucretia_Mott%2C_signed_photo%2C_by_F._Gutekunst.jpg Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621441842866-O2F0J6PGSOHD9UBRAOL2/Charles_Bird_King_-_Stephen_Decatur_-_NPG.87.26_-_National_Portrait_Gallery.jpg Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621448373174-QCEHZY7AWOPC4AEKHGT8/HelicopterPanel4.jpg Tours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.realphillyhistory.com/philly-facts daily 0.75 2024-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621350188049-WY9Y7IUW72DJAX7Q9DSJ/Association+of+Philadelphia+Tour+Guides Philly Facts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621350311696-3YWKCZBVN7GKIUZOTJM7/Preservation+Alliance Philly Facts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621350489049-HYC6DQNYJONL2FRDZBMX/Independence+National+Park Philly Facts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621349604939-U5SPF2NM19CEK9DXGIIZ/History+Making+Productions Philly Facts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621349755079-J8BGZH2QL7ZZMPOUJZ41/Hidden+City+Philadelphia Philly Facts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a2bc2304d5c431716dc36e/1621349471594-LLAH7EE1NK5GYAHU3GXR/Visit+Philadelphia Philly Facts https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos daily 0.75 2025-02-10 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/interviews monthly 0.5 2025-05-23 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/lectures monthly 0.5 2025-02-10 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/tours monthly 0.5 2025-05-23 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/v/5llj3heznby56sscmnhz3c4phpnaxa monthly 0.5 2025-05-23 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/v/the-amazing-success-of-phillys-william-penn monthly 0.5 2025-05-23 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/v/73xw6e9syx9ylmbwhtm2mpdnwnd4xb monthly 0.5 2025-05-23 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/v/ask-us-anything-part-ii monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/v/inside-americas-first-great-city-philadelphia-pennsylvania monthly 0.5 2025-05-23 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/v/real-philly-history-real-fast monthly 0.5 2025-02-10 https://www.realphillyhistory.com/videos/v/mr-correale monthly 0.5 2025-02-10