The Story of Philadelphia by Lillian Ione Rhoades

Author:Lillian Ione Rhoades [Rhoades, Lillian Ione]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Geschichte
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
Published: 2017-12-06T23:00:00+00:00

INDEPENDENCE HALL.

INDEPENDENCE HALL, on the south side of Chestnut Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, is the most famous historical building in America. This " temple of freedom" is precious not only to the citizens of Philadelphia, but to the lovers of liberty everywhere. It was in this building that the Continental Congress established, enforced, and perfected individual freedom and national independence, and, as a result, every part of Independence Hall is associated with the birth of American liberty and the development of the American republic.

Prior to July 4, 1776, Independence Hall was known as the Statehouse. For nearly fifty years, from the founding of the government of Pennsylvania by William Penn, the Assembly of the province had no regular place for meeting. In May 1729, the Pennsylvania Assembly declared that it was "incommodious as well as dishonorable for the General Assembly of the province to be obliged annually to hire some private house to meet and sit in."

It was therefore determined to erect a Statehouse in Philadelphia, and by an act of the Assembly two thousand pounds were appropriated to purchase ground and erect a Statehouse building. A site was chosen on Chestnut Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. A building committee was appointed, designs were submitted, and that of Andrew Hamilton was approved. He therefore became the architect, and under his careful supervision the Statehouse was erected at a cost of sixteen thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

The foundations of the Statehouse were laid in 1732.

The main building was so far completed that it was occupied by the Assembly September 15, 1735. The east wing was completed in the same year, and the west wing, or Provincial Hall, in 1739-40. In October 1739, the Philadelphia Library Company made application for the use of the second story west wing of the Statehouse, " to deposit their books in," which was granted, and the books remained there until 1773. The lower floor was occupied by the provincial secretary until the end of the provincial government. Mr. Hamilton died August 4, 1741, before the Statehouse was completed. The tower was erected in 1741, and on January 27, 1750, the Assembly ordered "an addition on the south side of said house to contain a staircase with a suitable place for hanging a bell."

In 1751 or 1752 a steeple was built over the tower, and in June 1753, the Liberty Bell was hung therein.

About this time, a clock was built by Peter Stretch and placed in the tower, for which he received £494 5s. 5 ½ , with the understanding that he was to keep the clock in repair for six years. On February 19, 1752, it was ordered "that the superintendent of the Statehouse do build a suitable room adjoining the southeast corner of said building for the accommodation of the Committee of the House," and in 1753 it was completed and used as a committee room and a library. Here the valuable records, books, and papers belonging to Congress were ordered

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.