WASHINGTON SQUARE

On Tuesday, November 13, 2007, Independence National Historical Park (INHP) hosted a public meeting to discuss Washington Square. About 50 local residents, business owners and representatives from park partners (including other tourism organizations and non-profit supporters of the park)participated. At the meeting, participants sat in small groups of about 10 people, and were asked to discuss three questions: What attracts you to Washington Square? What are some ideas to better inform and engage neighbors and visitors? How do you use the Square, how would you like to use the Square? Each group had a facilitator and a note-taker.

Washington Square Community Meeting Invitation, Handout & Summary.

THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE SITE

December 13 - Plans Unveiled For Incorporating Archeological Findings Into President's House Site - press release and Handout

In the 1790s, at the President's House location at Sixth and Market Streets, Presidents George Washington and John Adams lived and conducted their executive branch business. Washington brought some of his slaves to this site and they lived and toiled with other members of his household during the years that our first president was guiding the experimental development of the young nation toward modern, republican government. The rediscovery of this slave-holding information led to the U.S. House of Representatives Report 107-564 of 2003 which "urges the National Park Service to appropriately commemorate concerns" of those historical events. The historical commemoration came to be entitled "The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in Making a New Nation." This project, to be located adjacent to the Liberty Bell Center, is a joint cooperation between the National Park Service and the City of Philadelphia (www.phila.gov/presidentshouse). The commemoration will contribute to the growing international network of historic sites that present race and slavery and is expected to be completed about October, 2007. Read more about this topic in the President's House Forum page.

The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in Making a New Nation

The President's House - Washington and Adams

Enslaved Africans in the household of George and Martha Washington

Archeology Methods and Interpretation

Finds from the Archeological Dig

May 2, 2007

May 10, 2007