Carpenters' Hall facts for kids
|
Carpenters' Hall
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Carpenters' Hall in May 2015
|
|
| Location | 320 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Built | 1775 |
| Architect | Robert Smith |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000552 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
Carpenters' Hall is a very important building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located in Independence National Historical Park. This hall is known as the official birthplace of the state of Pennsylvania. It was also a key meeting place for America's early leaders.
The building was finished in 1775. It is a two-story brick hall. It was built for and is still owned by the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia. This group is the country's oldest existing group of skilled builders.
In 1774, the First Continental Congress met here. They created a plan called the Continental Association. This plan aimed to stop trade with Britain. In June 1776, the Pennsylvania Provincial Conference met at the hall. They officially declared Pennsylvania's independence from the British Empire. They also helped create the state of Pennsylvania. This group got the Pennsylvania militia ready for the American Revolutionary War. They also set up a meeting to write the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776. This work helped make the Declaration of Independence possible. British soldiers briefly took over the hall in 1777 during the war.
Carpenters' Hall was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. In 1982, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission officially recognized it. They called Carpenters' Hall the official birthplace of Pennsylvania.
You can visit the building for free. About 120,000 people visit each year. Many important people have visited Carpenters' Hall. These include Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden also visited. Other visitors include presidents from the Czech Republic and Latvia. Future U.S. President George W. Bush also came here.
History of Carpenters' Hall
_p713_PHILADELPHIA,_CAROENTER%27S_HALL.jpg)
.jpg)
The land for Carpenters' Hall was bought in 1768. It was bought for the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia. The hall was designed by Robert Smith. He used the Georgian style. His design was inspired by buildings in Scotland and Italy. The Carpenters' Company held their first meeting here in 1771. They continued to meet until 1777. That year, the British Army took over Philadelphia.
The First Continental Congress met at Carpenters' Hall. This was from September 5 to October 26, 1774. The usual meeting place, the Pennsylvania State House, was being used. During this meeting, Congress decided to ban importing slaves. They also decided to stop the slave trade within the colonies. This was an early step toward ending slavery in British North America.
The Congress also created the Continental Association. This was a plan to stop trade with Great Britain. In June 1776, the Pennsylvania Provincial Conference met here. They officially declared Pennsylvania's independence from the British Empire. They also formed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They got the Pennsylvania militia ready for the American Revolutionary War. They also set up a meeting to write the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776. This work helped make the Declaration of Independence possible. British soldiers briefly occupied the hall in 1777 during the war.
The meeting hall was used as a hospital during the American Revolutionary War. Both British and American soldiers were treated there. Other important Philadelphia groups also met at Carpenters' Hall. These include Ben Franklin's Library Company of Philadelphia. The American Philosophical Society also met there. The First and Second Banks of the United States used the hall too.
In 1970, Carpenters' Hall was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical site.
In 1982, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission officially recognized Carpenters' Hall. They called it the official birthplace of Pennsylvania.
Building Design
The Carpenters' Company was started in 1724. For many years, they did not have their own meeting place. They rented rooms in taverns for their meetings. In 1768, the members finally chose a new spot. It was on Chestnut Street, close to Benjamin Franklin's home. Robert Smith drew the plans for the building. However, he did not oversee the actual construction. The decision to build was made in January 1770. The hall was finished in August 1774.
Important Words
Above the south door of Carpenters' Hall, there is an inscription. It reads:
More to Explore
In Spanish: Carpenters' Hall para niños
- Continental Association: This was a plan from 1774. It was created by the First Continental Congress. It aimed to stop trade with Great Britain.
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia: A list of other important historical places in Philadelphia.
- Founding Fathers of the United States: The leaders who helped create the United States.
