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I’m always taken aback when I have company, who also happen to be first-time visitors, that make such a big production over the sites around Philadelphia. As they take pictures of City Hall and in front of the Liberty Bell, I sometimes catch myself thinking, "What’s the big deal? I drive past here every day."
I’m definitely guilty of being a hypocrite — put me in New York City and I’m as big of a tourist as the next guy. Truth is, the city does hold a lot of history and many points of interest. And I’m willing to bet there’s more than one long-time resident who’s seen less sites in a decade than an out-of-town family sees in a day.
While I feel like I’m fairly well-versed on the hot spots in the City of Brotherly Love, there was one I had yet to check off my list: the Betsy Ross House.
The structure at 239 Arch St. is more than 250 years old. Although it’s been through several historical renovations and had a few additions built, it’s pretty clear from a walk-through it hasn’t lost its centuries-old feel.
At $3 for adults and $2 for children, the self-guided tour is plenty affordable. For $5, visitors can take an audio tour. I prefer to go at my own pace, which is usually fairly quick. Had I intended to spend a good deal of time there, the extra couple bucks would have been well-spent. Before I ventured into the maze of the multistoried tour, a collection of election campaign materials dating back into the 1800s caught my attention. "Marching to the White House: Election Memorabilia from the Sublime to the Ridiculous" fit in a small area right beside the admission’s counter where several cases were filled with everything from political pins stating "Dump Nixon" to a "Rockefeller for President" ruler to a roll of toilet paper with Jimmy Carter’s face on it.
After a good laugh, I continued on and found myself taking the footsteps of the woman who so famously created the first flag for a brand-new country.
Aside from Ross’ possessions, like her glasses, a Bible and her quilted petticoat, the rooms are furnished with period antiques. Visitors are guided through her kitchen, bedchamber and the workshop and showroom for the upholsterer business she worked in.
As I climbed up and down the twisting staircases and ventured from the second floor to the musty basement, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit of what each of my guests get when they visit.
Throughout the fall, the Betsy Ross House has a number of events on the weekends and hot dogs, drinks and snacks are on sale in the courtyard, which also is where you’ll find famous Philadelphians talking to visitors and Colonial craftsmen at work.
I didn’t get a chance to see her — I only heard her speaking behind closed doors — but that only gives me reason to come back again for another visit.
Got a secret steal you just can’t keep to yourself? Gush to C. Henderson at chenderson@southphillyreview.com.
