The Carpenters’ Company of Philadelphia is partnering with Historic Philadelphia, Inc. to present Building Independence.
Take a peek behind closed doors as professional actors depict First Continental Congress delegates, their spouses, and common folk of the time. They include John Adams, Patrick Henry, John Dickinson, Abigail Adams, free and enslaved African Americans, Charles Thomson, and others.
Visitors will walk through history alongside delegates as they face hard decisions, learn contemporary perspectives, and understand the crucial moments involved in laying the foundation for American independence.
The short free performances will enlighten participants on the perspectives of the time and place the First Continental Congress – and Carpenters’ Hall – into the wider timeline of the American Revolution.
The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia was established in 1724 and is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year. Today, approximately 200 men and women, all prominent architects, building contractors, and engineers, carry on the traditions of the Company at the center of the continuing evolution of the built environment of Philadelphia. From the 18th-century members who erected the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall), Christ Church, and Carpenters’ Hall to its modern membership, the Company’s members are “Master Builders.” The Company’s mission includes preserving and maintaining Carpenters’ Hall, where it interprets the many significant events that occurred in and around the Hall for over 130,000 visitors annually, providing a forum for professional association, and encouraging and supporting education for those entering the construction industry. For more information, visit carpentershall.org.