Philadelphia History « CBS Philly

(One of the few things the real Ben Franklin never did: visit the KYW Newsradio studios for an interview! That's Robert DeVitis, who portrays the Founding Father. Photo by Ed Fischer)

Positively Philadelphia: Ben Franklin, Full of Surprises!

“Probably his most famous saying is, ‘A penny saved is a penny earned,’ but he really did not say that,” notes a local man who portrays the Founding Father.

2013/01/27

(UCC Bishop Dwayne Royster addresses the gathering of clergy near 6th and Race Streets. Credit: Pat Loeb)

Philadelphia Area Clergy Rally Against Gun Violence

“I think and hope we may finally be at a tipping point,” said Rabbi David Strauss. “The American people, I believe, have been aroused by this ongoing, senseless slaughter.”

2012/12/19

(Bobby Livingston of RR Auctions, wearing document-handling gloves, shows a group of visiting students some of the signatures being displayed prior to their auction. Credit: John Ostapkovich)

Our Country’s Founding Fathers Come Together Again, Briefly, in Philadelphia

This collection of signatures of all 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence heads to auction on December 15th.

2012/11/13

(Vintage photo of Levis' Hot Dogs, on Sixth Street near South.)

Historic Levis’ Sign Being Relit For National Hot Dog Month

“It was a place that was open all night — people hung out there,” notes South Street historian Joel Spivak, who says that Levis’ hot dogs and cherry sodas were legendary.

2012/07/18

(Some of the human remains found at Duffy's Cut. File photo)

Penn Anthropologist Thinks Cholera Fear Led To Main Line Murders 180 Years Ago

The remains of five Irish immigrants unearthed a decade ago near Paoli, Pa. were today transported to a cemetery for burial this coming Friday.

2012/03/06

(A George Clinton concert at the Robin Hood Dell East, in Fairmount Park. File photo)

Philadelphia Lawmakers Move Toward Dell East Naming Honor for Georgie Woods

A city council committee proposes calling the open-air concert stage “The Georgie Woods Entertainment Center at the Robin Hood Dell.”

2012/03/05

(The souvenir program from today's Wilt Chamberlain 100-point game 50th anniversary luncheon.)

Hundreds Gather To Commemorate Wilt Chamberlain’s Legendary 100-Point Game

The luncheon was organized by the Wilton Norman Chamberlain Postal Stamp Committee, which, after four years, is still working to have a Wilt stamp printed by the US Postal Service.

2012/03/02

(Paul Steinke, general manager of the Reading Terminal Market, stands near a sign advertising the upcoming "Valentine to the Market." Credit: Lauren Lipton)

Positively Philadelphia: Gala For Reading Terminal Market As It Turns 120

“The ‘Valentine to the Market’ is a gala fundraiser to raise money for the improvement of the market and to ensure that we have the Reading Terminal Market for future generations,” says general manager Paul Steinke.

2012/02/19

(Scaffolding covered the Independence Hall tower for more than a year during restoration. File photo by Mike DeNardo)

Saturday Afternoon Ceremony Slated For Restart of Independence Hall Clock Chimes

By Tim Jimenez PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — After an 18-month wait, a historic bell will toll tomorrow on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. No, not that bell. This one is called the Centennial Bell, and it hangs […]

2012/02/17

(The Philadelphia Historical Commission, at its Friday meeting. Credit: Mike Dunn)

Commission Delays Historic Designation For Philadelphia’s ‘Overbrook Farms’

The grand homes of Overbrook Farms were mainly built in the late 19th century, many for Philadelphia’s leading industrialists.

2012/02/10

(Lisa Acker Moulder, director of the Betsy Ross House, with the tools and ingredients using in Colonial times to make chocolate. Credit: Hadas Kuznits)

Yummy History of Chocolate Coming To Betsy Ross House

Lisa Acker Moulder, director of the Betsy Ross House, says that from December 26th through 31st, they’ll be hosting free historic chocolate-making demonstrations.

2011/12/22

Magazine Names Philadelphia Tops In History And Culture

More than 40,000 votes were cast, with Philadelphia dominating in one major category.

2011/10/27

(At least two video displays were not working properly at the President's House today. Credit: Ed Fischer)

City Replacing Finicky Video Displays At ‘President’s House’ Historic Site

The site, which opened just ten months ago on Independence Mall, has been plagued with technical problems right from the beginning.

2011/09/26

(Part of the W3R trail, in Schuylkill Banks Park. Photos by John McDevitt)

Nation’s Newest Historic Trail Dedicated in Philadelphia

The trail, known as “W3R” for “Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route,” runs 685 miles from Newport, RI to Yorktown, Va.

2011/07/14

(Joseph McGill, inside an historic "slave cabin" at Cliveden in Philadelphia. Photo by Karin Phillips)

Historian Urges Preservation Of Former Slave Houses In Philadelphia

A program officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, McGill says he has slept in more than 20 slave dwellings to inspire their preservation.

2011/06/24