CW Stuff in Philadelphia

[Remember1864]

So I'm here in the city of brotherly love for 4th of July weekend. Have 'til Monday to "see it all". Unfortunately, The Civil War & Underground Railroad Museum on Pine Street is closed 'til Thursday. I will be hitting a local cemetery to visit David Birney's grave and various other burials of CW folks. Was wondering what else from "our period" would be worth checking out.

Cheers!

[August77]

Re: CW Stuff in Philadelphia

John,

If you can get to a bookstore and want to drop about $20 there is a book titled "Guide to Civil War Philadelphia" by Richard A. Sauers. It's a really good resource for finding CW related sites in Philadelphia. Here's a few places to start:

-The Civil War Library and Museum, 1805 Pine Street

-First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry Museum, The Armory, 23rd & Ranstead Streets

-G.A.R. Civil War Museum and Library, 4278 Griscom Street

-Independence Seaport Museum, 211 South Columbus Boulevard

-Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust Street

-103rd Engineer Battalion Armory, Thirty-third Street & Lancaster Ave.

If you would like to tour the site where the Frankford Arsenal used to be, the contact number is (215) 537-8400.

[Remember1864]

Re: CW Stuff in Philadelphia

Thanks Bill. Will check 'em out...

[OldState]

Re: CW Stuff in Philadelphia

Fort Delaware is very close.

[MD_Independent]

Re: CW Stuff in Philadelphia

Comrade,
I visited Philly a few weeks ago myself to see the CW Museum on Pine St and find the grave of Gen. D. B. Birney(I have a family connection).

It's ashame that the CW Museum is closed until Thursday. While I was there, I learned that they'll be closing in August or September of this year while a new museum is built closer to Independence Mall. So they'll be closed for quite some time.

One place I had wanted to see but didn't have time was Ft. Mifflin located a few minutes from Downtown. From the official website: "The Fort has played many roles in the security of our Nation in its 235 years of existence; garrisoned in the War of 1812, a Confederate prison during the Civil War and a munitions depot in World Wars I & II."

http://www.fortmifflin.us/

The Philadelphia National Cemetery looked interesting also.

http://www.civilwaralbum.com/misc3/images/philly1.pdf

Fort Delaware is indeed close. It's about forty five minutes or so south.

The former residence of Gen. Meade is around the corner from the museum on Pine Street. I stumbled on it quite by chance. A plaque marks the place.

And you have Camp William Penn.

http://www.usct.org/CampWillianPenn/CampWilliamPenn.htm

If you're interested in American history in general, Brandywine battlefield is out past West Chester. Plus, you have Valley Forge and Germantown. The USS New Jersey is across the river in Camden, New Jersey.

I've just returned home from Baltimore where I'd been for a couple of days. Another place chock full of CW sites if you take the time to look. Unfortunately, I was only able to see Ft. McHenry, Pres. St. Station, and Federal Hill. And the Constellation. Made me want to develop a USMC impression. Oh, well. Enjoy your trip.

[S. Hampton]

Re: CW Stuff in Philadelphia

Morning!

The Union League is worth a stop by:

http://www.unionleague.org/

Also the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, the Library Company of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Historical Society. Fairmount Park is also a great place to check out.

Enjoy your trip!

Stacy