Celebrate America's 250th in Philadelphia Where History Comes Alive

As the country gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, there’s really no better place to take it all in than Philadelphia—a city that doesn’t just tell the American story, it lives it. Spend time at the Museum of the American Revolution, visit the Liberty Bell Center, explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art (founded in 1876) and step inside a humble 18th century home that is closely tied to the American flag.

Philadelphia is the kind of place where the past feels present, making it an ideal backdrop for a visit that ties directly into the nation’s semiquincentennial.

The Museum of The American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution opened in 2017 in Philadelphia’s historic district and spans roughly 118,000 square feet. Its focus extends beyond the Founding Fathers to include the experiences of women, soldiers, enslaved people and Native Americans.

Inside visitors will see George Washington’s war tent, along with revolutionary era weapons, diaries and personal items that bring the period into sharper focus.

A special exhibition tied to the 250th, The Declaration’s Journey, explores the global impact of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 to today, connecting the nation’s founding ideals to movements of the modern era.

Visit the Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell
Credit: Daniel Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

Inside the Liberty Bell Center on Independence Mall is an iconic bell that exists as a symbol of our nation’s dedication to freedom.

A short exhibit explains the bell’s origins and evolving meaning and how it developed its famous crack over time. Admission is free of charge and visitors are able to get an up-close, unobstructed view the bell—ideal for posting on social media. Those who arrive in the early morning or late afternoon will have the shortest wait.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art 

Founded in 1876, the Philadelphia Museum of Art opened its current building in 1928 and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.  Moviegoers may recognize the grand steps from Rocky, which have become an attraction in their own right.

They used to call it "The operating theater" because spectators and students also used to observe what was going on during operations. 

As a person who has been to many art museums, I can safely say that the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the most impressive. Taking in everything will take hours since there are about 240,000 objects in the museum so I suggest doing a morning or afternoon one day and then returning the next.

In recognition of the nation’s 250th, the museum is presenting A Nation of Artists, an exhibition created in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Running through 2027, it features 1,000 works spanning three centuries of American art and traces how national identity evolved through art—from colonial portraiture to modern abstraction.

The result is a sweeping look at the nation’s story—told not through documents, but through the eyes of the artists who have interpreted it for generations.

The Betsy Ross House

The courtyard of the Betsy Ross House. 
Credit: R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

I took this one for the cats alone. This is also in the courtyard.

At the Betsy Ross House, the 250th comes to life through living history. Visitors will see costumed interpreters, hear storytelling and observe hands-on demonstrations that shift the focus from well-known figures to everyday people—especially women—who lived the Revolution.

The house, located at 239 Arch Street, is a colonial-era building that dates to 1740 and has long-stood at the location. Although it’s not the original Betsy Ross abode, (that one was purported to be next door and was demolished), it gives guests a clear view of what it was like to live in a simpler time.

Visitors can explore at their own pace, or opt for an audio tour.

Whether viewed through artifacts, symbols, art, or everyday lives, Philadelphia offers a sweeping look at our nation’s past that is particularly relevant as we approach our 250th. It’s a history that isn’t confined to textbooks, but rather unfolds in galleries, street corners and inside buildings as the stories continue to be told. 

Four Museums, One Walk through Marietta, Georgia's Past

Those who have followed this blog know that I moved Greenville, SC last May and have been eager to explore the many charming towns across the South.  My most recent visit took me to Marietta, Georgia.

I was impressed with the small railroad town that reminded me of State College in my home state of Pennsylvania, with its boutique shops, restaurants and galleries.

Speaking of Pennsylvania, here's a Liberty Bell recreation.

Museums on the Square

Within a short stroll of the Marietta Square, four museums offer visitors a window into the past—from a Civil War-era hotel turned history center to a preserved 1850s home, a museum devoted to Gone with the Wind and a fine arts institution housed in a former post office. Together they tell the story of the area, through architecture, artifacts, literature and art.

The William Root House

The William Root House is the oldest surviving wood-frame house in Marietta, making it a key piece of the city’s early architectural history.

Root was a Philadelphia transplant who moved to Marietta in 1839, opening a drug and mercantile store on the square and becoming one of the town’s earliest merchants. The home is also one of the few buildings in the area that survived Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign during the Civil War.

Were it not for preservationists, the building may not stand today. In the late 1980s, preservationists stepped in to restore it as a historic house museum, using period-appropriate furnishings. A self-guided digital tour allows guests to move through the rooms at their own pace.

What makes the Root House especially interesting is that it represents a typical middle-class home—not a grand mansion, but a home where people of simpler means resided.

One of my favorite rooms was the parlor, which reflects the middle class’s desire to impress guests. It showcases the family’s finest furnishings, a patterned rug underfoot, and decorative objects arranged carefully on tables and mantels. In the 1850s, this was the room where visitors would have been received, making it the home’s most refined and showpiece-like space.

The parlor represents a typical middle class room during the 1800s.

A powerful component of the interior interpretation focuses on the enslaved individuals who lived and worked on the property, using documents, research and exhibits to tell their stories.

In a city filled with Civil War history, the William Root House offers something different: an intimate look at the rhythms of daily life that shaped Marietta long before the modern skyline appeared.

The Marietta History Center

The Marietta History Center is housed in the Kennesaw House—a three-story building constructed in 1845. Originally used as a cotton warehouse, it was converted into the Fletcher House Hotel in 1855.

In 1862, Union spy James Andrews and his raiders stayed at the Fletcher House Hotel before launching The Great Locomotive Chase—a daring raid conducted during the Civil War.

During General William Sherman’s Atlanta campaign, much of Marietta was burned, but the Kennesaw House survived the destruction.

The Marietta History Center opened in 1996 and tells the story of Marietta and Cobb County. It contains the largest collection of artifacts related to the area, including items from daily life, military history and local industries.

For anyone wanting to understand Marietta beyond its charming streets and storefronts, the Marietta History Center is the perfect place to begin.

The Art Museum

The Art Museum was once a post office.

The Art Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, focuses entirely on American artists. The stately building occupies the former Cobb County Post Office built in 1910 in a Classical Revival style with large columns that give it an impressive presence.

Inside, visitors will gain insight into the region’s creative culture and will likely see something new each time due to the museums rotating exhibitions.

A juried woodworking exhibit showcased the impressive skill of many woodworkers during our visit.

The museum also offers classes, workshops, lectures and art camps, helping connect the community with the visual arts.

Since opening in 1990, the museum has played a key role in turning Marietta Square into a cultural hub, helping to attract galleries, festivals and arts programming to the area.

The Gone with the Wind Museum

The Gone with the Wind Museum is located in Brumby Hall, an antebellum Greek Revival home built in 1851 and is another structure that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It, too, survived the Civil War era in Marietta. The museum opened in 2013 in the Old Thomas Warehouse near Marietta Square prior to relocating to Brumby Hall.

Inside, visitors will find original items from the 1939 movie, included Scarlett O’Hare’s mourning bonnet and the Bengaline honeymoon gown, both worn by Vivien Leigh. One of the most notable artifacts is Scarlett’s honeymoon dress, which is considered one of the few surviving costumes from the film on permanent display.

Exhibits also include pieces of the Tara façade, along with posters, props and memorabilia from the movie’s production and premiere.

Built by a dedicated collector by the name of Vicky Lynn Rogers, it’s a must-see for anyone captivated by the period piece that still resonates with audiences today.

Museums Located for Convenience

Whether you're an art fan, a history enthusiast, or a fan of old films that are still popular to this day, you'll enjoy a stay in the quaint town of Marietta. 

Exploring these four museums, all within close proximity of each other, is a convenient way to gain a deeper understanding of Marietta—its culture, its history and the people who helped shape the city over time.

Beaufort South Carolina: One of the Lowcountry's Most Charming Coastal Towns

A late fall visit to Beaufort (pronounced BYOO-fert) offered the chance to experience the coastal town after the bustle of tourist season had faded and the heat and humidity had eased.

Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island, between Charleston and Savannah, along South Carolina's southern coast. Surrounded by salt marches and tidal creeks, the city is part of the Sea Islands, a region known for its natural beauty. Although I once wrote for Sea Island Life magazine, I realized--somewhat to my surprise--that this was my first time truly experiencing Sea Island life firsthand.

History Abounds

Beaufort's scenic waterfront.

Founded in 1711, Beaufort is the second-oldest city in South Carolina. Its walkable downtown is a designated National Historic Landmark District, with many well-preserved buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. Unlike many Southern towns, Beaufort emerged from the Civil War with much of its architecture intact--partially because it was captured early, sparing it from retaliatory destruction.

The scenic waterfront is a favorite among visitors for its park and promenade with sweeping views of the marsh which stretches towards the horizon. Unfortunately, we missed strolling there at sunset when the skies glow with colors of gold and pink and shrimp boats drift quietly by.

We rented a lovely and very old AIRBNB in a residential neighborhood that was just a short drive from  downtown, which served as a comfortable base for our overnight stay.

A lovely old rental was our base camp.

In the afternoon, we explored Bay Street, in the heart of downtown, where boutique shopping, waterfront dining, coffee shops and galleries line the street. Boat excursions and kayaking trips were available, but we opted to save those for another visit, given the short length of our stay.

The John Mark Verdier House built in 1804. It now serves as a house museum.

Old Bay Marketplace, an artisan and specialty market.

Rightside Design, Gallery and Gift Shop

I loved so much in this little shop that sold beautiful glass art.

One shop in particular caught my attention was RightSide Design gallery and gift shop filled with beautiful glass art that made lingering inevitable.

After an afternoon of sightseeing, we relaxed at the Old Bull Tavern, housed in a building that was once a general store in the 1800s before becoming a tavern and eventually the popular restaurant it is today.

The Old Bull Tavern was once a general store in the 1800s.

Following dinner, we continued our stroll along the oft-photographed waterfront. Everything was so quiet in November, which made me consider returning during a lively season to see it at its most animated. 

A candy shop.

Along the way, we passed the Beaufort Candy Shoppe and Superior Coffee showcasing classic Lowcountry architecture with its raised covered porches, wide overhangs, and light-colored siding--design features meant to provide shade and airflow and protect against coastal weather.

The Superior Coffee Shop

A pair of cute rainboots as street art.

Whimsical street art, including a pair of brightly painted rain boots, added a playful touch to the walk. As dusk approached, we passed by Luther's Rare & Well Done, a longtime casual hangout that, during busier months, draws crowds to its patio for sunset views. Nearby, Saltus River Grill's expansive patio hinted at the area's more upscale dining options, particularly known for seafood and steaks.

Luther's Rare and Well Done.

Saltus River Grill patio.

The Beaufort Water Festival is a big draw in the summer.

We also came across signage for The Beaufort Water Festival. Founded in 1956, the 10-day event begins in late July and is one of South Carolina's oldest festivals. It features a boat parade, live concerts, arts and crafts for kids, water races, low-country fare, fireworks and more.

A bust of Thomas Heywood, Jr.

We also passed by a bust of Thomas Heywood, Jr., who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Revolutionary War officer. Many places throughout South Carolina bear his name.

The Marina Ship's Store at Safe Harbor.

Near the marina, we passed the Ship's Store at Safe Harbor, a stop for boaters and visitors alike. 

By the end of the day it was clear that Beaufort rewards unhurried exploration and we found ourselves already discussing plans to return and discover more of what this town has to offer.