Overview
Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love,” is an American institution. Established more than 300 years ago by William Penn, Philly is the birthplace of many American firsts: the first capital city, the first national bank, the first zoo, the first library, and even the first cheese steak. Explore this magnificent city for yourself in the new compact edition of Philadelphia Then and Now. Incredible then-and-now photographs detail life in Philadelphia over the centuries. See how much has — and hasn’t — changed!
One of America’s oldest cities, Philadelphia has a rich and varied architectural heritage.
Compare an 1855 photo of America’s oldest congressional building — Congress Hall — with a contemporary image, and you’ll notice not much has changed, except for the traffic lights. Like its famous next-door neighbor, Independence Hall (otherwise known as the Philadelphia Statehouse), it has been faithfully restored.
Visit with some of the city’s most famous residents! Discover who actually lived in the Betsy Ross House (not who you think!) and find out what happened to Edgar Allen Poe’s infamous raven.
Synopsis
Philadelphia, the "City of Brotherly Love," is an American institution. Established more than 300 years ago by William Penn, Philly is the birthplace of many American firsts: the first capital city, the first national bank, the first zoo, the first library, and even the first cheese steak. Explore this magnificent city for yourself in the new compact edition of Philadelphia Then and Now.- Incredible then-and-now photographs detail life in Philadelphia over the centuries. See how much has -- and hasn't -- changed!
- One of America's oldest cities, Philadelphia has a rich and varied architectural heritage.
- Compare an 1855 photo of America's oldest congressional building -- Congress Hall -- with a contemporary image, and you'll notice not much has changed, except for the traffic lights. Like its famous next-door neighbor, Independence Hall (otherwise known as the Philadelphia Statehouse), it has been faithfully restored.
- Visit with some of the city's most famous residents! Discover who actually lived in the Betsy Ross House (not who you think!) and find out what happened to Edgar Allen Poe's infamous raven.