The Opposite Point of View

Our friend, Jeff Holder, took this photograph of the Museum site, from the west side of Independence Mall. (Click on it for a larger view.)


The building being demolished is on the site of the new Museum. There are two interesting projects going on on Independence Mall that are visible.

The circular area will be a rest area with seating. Next to the circular section, on the left, a space is being designed that celebrates the First Amendment and will provide a highly visible area for public assemblies.

Between 5th and 6th Streets will be open landscaping, with pedestrian walkways and some seating areas. The Museum is on 5th Street and will face west.

To the northeast is the Ben Franklin Bridge, which takes you to New Jersey. And back to Philadelphia, of course, depending on which way you are driving.

Geography lesson is now over.

Nice Views, Huh?

Sorry for the delay between my last post and now, but Jewish, etc. has been very busy preparing for the demolition of the structure at our new site at 5th and Market streets on Independence Mall. First, we had to install a fence around the building we are tearing down. Then, there was gutting of the interior. Scaffolding had to be erected.

Then, and only then, could we proceed with the actual knocking down of the structure.

Now, when I say "we," I mean the great folks at Becker & Frondorf, the Museum's project managers, and at Intech Construction, the contractor. They did all that labor. Me, I had to prepare a couple of press releases. Which isn't to say I didn't have to sweat a split infinitive or two.

The guys at Intech are working really hard to raze the building.

They first have to take down the paparpet on the roof, and then the building will be taken down incrementally, floor-by-floor. Demolition is expected to be completed for the fall. Our ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. More details on that later.

From the roof, you can see Independence Hall and imagine how spectacular the view will be once the Museum is completed and you won't have to crane your neck for a glimpse.

From the third floor, you can get a better sense of what the view will be like.

This view is looking southwest on Independence Mall; the long, horizontal structure is the Liberty Bell Center. To the south, partially in frame, is the west wing of Independence Hall.


This photograph shows the northern end of the Liberty Bell Center and the excavation of the President's House. The city recently excavated the long-buried President's House, which served as George Washington's and John Adams' residence, and included quarters Washington built to house the enslaved Africans he brought to Philadelphia upon assuming the presidency. The city is planning an installation to commemorate the house and its residents.

This is the Independence Visitor Center, and on the next block north is the National Constitution Center, which I could not get a picture of.

Following my journey to the construction site there are two things I can state with certainty: One, the view, to reiterate, will be tremendous. Two, I look ridiculous in a hard hat.