Saturday, in the Park - Road Trip

Do you have a few minutes to hear a story? How about 65? That's about how long it takes to hear the thirteen stories that comprise Historic Philadelphia's "Once Upon a Nation"



A couple of years ago the non-profit corporation Historic Philadelphia, Inc. began a unique partnership with the National Park Service at Independence National Historic Park. Their mission is to interpret the park's historic attractions - Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, etc. - and the history of Philadelphia, in fun and engaging ways, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

One of the most interesting ways they accomplish this mission is the Once Upon a Nation program. There are thirteen designated "storytelling benches" located at each important site in the mile square historic district. At each bench, storyteller/actors tell 5 minute stories related to colonial America, the Revolution, or the history of Philadelphia. Kids receive a flag, and are awarded a star for each bench they visit. Completed flags can be presented at Franklin Square Park, the site of bench number 13, for free ice cream and carousel rides.

Do you need any more incentive than the promise of ice cream and carousel rides? Even on the hottest, most humid day of the year, my kids were eager to make it all the way to number 13 - a journey that took about 5 hours, with stops to see the Liberty Bell and the Betsy Ross House, and to be officially mustered in and drilled by a sergeant in the Continental Army.

Along the way we learned about Philadelphia's 17th century witch trial, the inventor and entrepreneur David Rittenhouse, Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad, and south Jersey's "dinosaur bone wars". The storytellers were all excellent - each offering the kids a choice of three stories - and generally performed all-out even under yesterday's extreme weather conditions.

Could a program like this work in New Jersey? It helps to have an abundance of historic sites all within walking distance, so I'm not sure if it could be made to work in the Princeton to Morristown revolutionary corridor. But it does show how a public/private partnership - even with an entity like the National Park Service which is traditionally very protective of its parks - can absolutely enhance visitors' understanding of historic sites. Honestly, now that I have seen what Historic Philadelphia brings to that city, I can't imagine Independence Mall without Once Upon a Nation.